Who among the following defines deviance as a gap between cultural goals and institutionalised means of achieving them?| Sociology for CUET by Vikash Ranjan | Sociology Guru

Answer: (2)

The concept of deviance in sociology, particularly in the context of a gap between cultural goals and institutionalized means of achieving them, is a critical aspect of Robert K. Merton’s strain theory. In this theory, Merton delves into the complex relationship between societal goals, the means to achieve them, and how individuals respond to these societal expectations. To understand this concept fully and its significance, we must explore the work of Merton and how it contributes to our understanding of deviance within the framework of cultural norms and institutionalized means.

Robert K. Merton, an American sociologist, was a prominent figure in the field of sociology during the 20th century. He developed the strain theory, also known as the anomie theory, to explain the occurrence of deviant behavior in society. The central idea of this theory is that deviance arises when there is a disconnect between culturally prescribed goals and the legitimate means available to individuals to achieve these goals.

To answer the question regarding who defines deviance as a gap between cultural goals and institutionalized means, the correct choice is (b) Merton. Durkheim, although a key figure in the field of sociology, focused on the concept of anomie, which can be considered a precursor to Merton’s strain theory but does not explicitly address the gap between goals and means in the same way. Let’s delve into Merton’s strain theory and how it offers an insightful explanation of deviant behavior.

Merton’s Strain Theory:

Merton’s strain theory was developed in the mid-20th century and was a significant contribution to the field of criminology and sociology. This theory seeks to explain why some individuals engage in deviant behavior while others conform to societal norms. It is essential to comprehend the components of this theory to grasp how Merton defines deviance as a gap between cultural goals and institutionalized means.

Cultural Goals: Merton identifies culturally prescribed goals as the objectives and aspirations that society encourages its members to achieve. These goals typically encompass success, financial stability, education, and various other societal achievements. In essence, they represent the ideal life as perceived by a particular society.

Institutionalized Means: On the other hand, institutionalized means are the legitimate and socially accepted methods or pathways individuals can follow to achieve these culturally prescribed goals. These means often include education, employment, hard work, and adherence to the legal system.

Merton argues that in an ideal society, there should be a clear alignment between cultural goals and institutionalized means. This means that everyone should have equal access to the means necessary to achieve the cultural goals, and there should be no barriers preventing them from doing so.

However, Merton recognized that real-world societies are not always so equitable and that structural inequalities and limitations can emerge. In many cases, people find themselves in situations where they cannot attain these culturally prescribed goals through legitimate means due to various social, economic, or environmental factors.

This discrepancy between cultural goals and the available means gives rise to a state of anomie or strain. People experience frustration and pressure as they are unable to reach the goals that society deems as desirable. It is this strain, according to Merton, that leads individuals to engage in deviant behavior as they seek alternative methods to achieve these goals.

Merton’s Typology of Deviance:

Merton’s strain theory further categorizes individuals into five typologies based on their response to the strain between cultural goals and institutionalized means. These typologies provide valuable insights into how individuals adapt to this strain and manifest their deviant behavior.

Conformity: Conformists are individuals who accept both the culturally prescribed goals and the legitimate means to achieve them. They follow societal norms and conform to the established rules and regulations.

Innovation: Innovators accept the cultural goals but reject or modify the accepted means to achieve them. They often resort to unconventional or deviant methods to attain success, such as engaging in illegal activities like theft or fraud.

Ritualism: Ritualists abandon the pursuit of cultural goals but rigidly adhere to the prescribed means. They may follow the rules and routines without much hope of achieving the desired goals. This can lead to a sense of duty without the expectation of success.

Retreatism: Retreatists reject both the cultural goals and the legitimate means to attain them. They may withdraw from societal expectations and resort to substance abuse or other forms of escapism as a way of coping with their inability to conform.

Rebellion: Rebels reject both the established cultural goals and means and actively seek to replace them with their own. They aim to create new cultural goals and means that align with their beliefs or ideologies, often advocating for radical social or political change.

Merton’s strain theory illustrates that deviance is not merely a product of individual choice but is profoundly influenced by societal structures and opportunities. It emphasizes the role of structural factors in shaping an individual’s response to the strain between cultural goals and institutionalized means. This perspective challenges the traditional notion that deviance is primarily the result of individual moral failures and instead highlights the importance of understanding the broader social context.

Significance and Critiques of Merton’s Strain Theory:

Merton’s strain theory has been widely influential in the field of sociology and criminology for several reasons:

Structural Perspective: It shifts the focus from individual pathologies and character flaws to the structural and systemic factors that can lead to deviance. By acknowledging the impact of social structures, it encourages a more holistic understanding of deviant behavior.

Empirical Research: Merton’s theory has prompted extensive empirical research and studies examining the relationship between structural factors and deviance. Researchers have explored how disparities in access to legitimate means can lead to various forms of deviant behavior.

Policy Implications: The theory has implications for social policy and the design of interventions to address deviance. It suggests that addressing structural inequalities and providing equal access to legitimate means can reduce the occurrence of deviant behavior.

Despite its contributions, Merton’s strain theory has also faced several critiques and challenges:

Oversimplification: Critics argue that the theory can oversimplify the relationship between goals and means, as it may not account for the complexity of individual motivations and decision-making.

Neglect of Cultural Variations: The theory tends to focus on Western, particularly American, cultural goals and may not fully consider variations in cultural values and norms in different societies.

Lack of Comprehensive Explanation: While Merton’s theory highlights the importance of structural factors, it does not provide a comprehensive explanation for all forms of deviant behavior. Deviance can result from a variety of factors, including cultural, psychological, and interpersonal dynamics.

Limited Scope: The theory primarily focuses on economic and material success as cultural goals, neglecting other aspects of human aspiration, such as social or personal achievement.

In conclusion, Robert K. Merton’s strain theory defines deviance as a gap between cultural goals and institutionalized means of achieving them. This theory sheds light on the relationship between societal expectations, the means available to individuals, and the resulting strain that can lead to deviant behavior. It emphasizes the structural and systemic factors that contribute to deviance and highlights the need for addressing social inequalities to reduce the occurrence of deviant behavior. While Merton’s strain theory has made significant contributions to the field of sociology and criminology, it is essential to recognize its limitations and the need to consider a broader range of factors that influence deviance in diverse societal contexts.