deviance in the society

Merton preferred the middle range theories

Merton preferred the middle range theories in order to provide a specific explanation for social deviance. These theories are a group of ideas that frequently coexist between the central operational hypotheses that frequently appear in day-to-day research and the broad, systematic initiatives to develop unified theories of social behavior. Merton broadened our understanding of the structural-functional approach through the way he conducted his research. The approach argues that the society in which we live in operates as a running machine with every part operating together so as to attain some sense of unity and soundness (Krohn, et.al, 2009). He viewed the society as a formation of interlinked parts adding that some parts may be unwilling to work together hence becoming deviant or unpredictable.

Theory of latent and manifest function and dysfunction and deviance

Manifest functions refer to the consequences that the society seems to be observing or expecting. Such functions are explicitly indicated and understood by the people in them. On the other hand, latent functions are ones that are not recognized or intended. They are conducts that are generally not explicitly informed or intended by the people involved in them. These functions can only be located by observers who are not in any way involved in them. Besides functions, dysfunctions can also occur in the society and are either manifest or latent (Appelrouth & Edles, 2008). Manifest dysfunctions are those that are defined as the anticipated disruptions of the social way of life and interactions in the society. Latent dysfunctions are those that are unintended as well as unanticipated distractions that interfere with the general order and stability. The latent and manifest functions view deviance a dysfunctional nature that exists among some people in the society.

Strain Theory and deviance and crime in our society

Strain theory states that citizens may fall into pressures to commit acts of crime due to social structures that are in control of their environments. Strain may be individual or structural. Structural strains are the processes that exist at the societal level that impacts on how an individual views their needs. Individual strains are the pains and frictions that trigger individuals to find ways of satisfying them. While discussing deviance, Merton came up with a typology of deviant behavior through which he sought to demonstrate the possible discrepancies that exist between the goals that are defined by culture and the institutionalized means of attaining them.

Typology is a form of classification

Typology is a form of classification that strives to achieve a general understanding of how deviant behavior is generated in the society. Deviance can be analyzed based on two criteria namely a person’s motives to adhere to the set cultural goals and their belief on the means of attaining them. The criteria include conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion. In conformity, people accept the cultural goals as well as the set means of attaining them. Innovation is where people accept the cultural goals but differ in the traditionally set means of attaining them or seek to legitimate their own means (Downes, et.al, 2016). Ritualism encompasses the rejection of the cultural goals but tend towards routinizing the acceptance of the means of attaining them. Under retreatism, individuals reject both the cultural goals as well as the traditional means of attaining the goals. Rebellion is where an individual shows rejection towards both the cultural goals and the set means of attaining them in favor of new goals and means to replace the originally set ones.

Merton’s view on typology is so fascinating

Merton’s view on typology is so fascinating in the sense that it people can turn into being defiant in their pursuit of the generally accepted cultural goals and values. Deviance can emerge due to the acceptance of a given norm while at the same time breaking another norm (Kubrin, et.al, 2009). Critics of Merton’s theory have argued that the strain theory cannot offer adequate explanation for all forms of deviant behaviors in the society. Despite the criticisms, the theory has been applied in a number of settings to explain deviant behaviors in the society.

Conclusion

Merton emphasized that the society has a bigger role to play in regards to promoting deviance behavior among its members. He believed that the socially accepted goals normally places a lot of pressure on people to conform hence they have to work or operate within the set systems. In circumstances where they fail to do so, then they have to become deviant. The two theories advanced by Merton have been of great assistance to scholars of sociology in their quest to understand the occurrence of deviant behavior in the society.

References

Appelrouth, S., & Edles, L. D. (2008). Classical and contemporary sociological theory: Text and readings. Los Angeles, Calif: Pine Forge Press.

Downes, D., Rock, P. E., & McLaughlin, E. (2016). Understanding deviance: A guide to the sociology of crime and rule-breaking.

Krohn, M. D., Lizotte, A. J., & Hall, G. P. (2009). Handbook on crime and deviance. Dordrecht: Springer.

Kubrin, C. E., Stucky, T. D., & Krohn, M. D. (2009). Researching theories of crime and deviance. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.