Exam 7: Social Structure and Anomie
The collectively shared and promoted American dream of material success is used by Merton to illustrate
B
Using Merton's typology, a member of an organization who placed greater emphasis upon complying with bureaucratic procedures than on whether the underlying purpose was achieved would be an example of
C
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s-1960s challenged the status quo of racism, legal segregation and discrimination, through civil disobedience and other non-violent protest. Using Merton's typology as an explanatory framework, discuss whether this movement reflected one or more modes of individual and group adaptation: conformity, innovation, rebellion or a combination?
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s-1960s can be seen as reflecting multiple modes of individual and group adaptation as outlined in Merton's typology.
First, conformity can be seen in the peaceful protests and non-violent resistance tactics employed by civil rights activists. They adhered to the existing legal and social norms, while still challenging the unjust treatment of African Americans.
Second, innovation is evident in the movement's use of non-violent civil disobedience as a new and creative approach to challenging the status quo. This innovative method allowed the movement to gain widespread attention and support.
Third, rebellion is also present in the movement, as activists openly defied unjust laws and societal norms in their quest for equality. This rebellion was non-violent, but it was still a direct challenge to the established power structures.
Overall, the Civil Rights Movement can be seen as a combination of conformity, innovation, and rebellion. Activists worked within the existing legal and social framework, while also introducing new and unconventional methods of protest, and openly defying unjust laws and customs. This multifaceted approach was crucial to the success of the movement in bringing about significant social and legal change.
When individuals use illegitimate means for achieving the cultural goal of being successful, like winning whatever it takes, this is defined by Merton as
Which choice reflects the typology of individualized adaptations set forth by Merton?
How does the misalignment or disconnection of cultural goals with institutional means contribute to what Merton calls a strain towards anomie and deviant behavior? Use examples from American society in your response.
Using one example from Merton's typology, how could the relation between cultural goals and institutionalized means within a society exert pressures on individuals to adapt in ways that are nonconformist?
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