Robert Merton's Structural Strain Theory Sees Deviance as the Result

question 44

Multiple Choice

Robert Merton's structural strain theory sees deviance as the result of a person's position in a social structure.What do you think Jack Katz,author of Seductions of Crime,would say about structural strain theory?

• A) Merton's analysis fails because it does not understand that some people will reject both mainstream cultural goals and the institutionalized means to achieve them.
• B) Merton's analysis was correct, in that background factors are almost always the most effective way to predict who will commit deviant acts.
• C) A focus on social position misses the emotional appeal that a deviant act has for an individual.
• D) Merton needs to look at a broader range of background factors, including age and sexuality.

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Definitions:

Continental Crust

The layer of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks that forms the continents and continental shelves, characterized by its thickness and composition distinct from oceanic crust.

Mafic Basalt

A type of basaltic rock that is rich in magnesium and iron, characterized by its dark color and low silica content.

Decompression Melting

The melting of rock due to a decrease in pressure as it rises towards the Earth's surface, a common mechanism at mid-ocean ridges and mantle plumes.

Mantle-Derived Magmas

Magmas that originate from the partial melting of the Earth's mantle, often rich in magnesium and iron.