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

Robert Merton developed structural strain theory to explain why deviance occurs. What is the cause of the strain suggested by the name of the theory?Group of answer choicesstrain between deviant and nondeviant citizensstrain between social norms that are codified in laws and those that are notstrain between different value systems within a societystrain between socially approved goals and the means of achieving them

Which U.S. sociologist developed what is called “strain theory” of deviance?A.Robert MertonB.Edwin SutherlandC.Steven SpitzerD.Edwin Lemert

Robert Merton asserts that the type of deviance people engage in depends on __________.A.their upbringing and family structureB.the perceived role of conflict, or strains, in their lifeC.their exposure to stressful life conditionsD.whether society provides them with means to achieve cultural goals

From the perspective of Merton’s strain theory, which type of deviance results from using rejected, unconventional means, rather than accepted, conventional means, to achieve a culturally approved goal?A.ConformityB.InnovationC.RitualismD.Retreatism

What has most of the sociological literature on deviance traditionally focused on?Group of answer choicescrimemental illnessthe extremely wealthythe emotional appeal of deviant acts