Deck 6: Social Structure and Anomie, Robert Merton

Question 1

According to Merton, latent function refers to ______.

A)Unintended consequences of a social process
B)Undesirable consequences of a social process
C)Intended and recognized activity of a social process
D)Unintended benefits of a social process

Answer 1

Unintended consequences of a social process

Question 2

According to Merton, dysfunction ______.

A)Is not usually overtly recognized by society
B)Can lead to social disorganization
C)Is recognized as the purpose of the process
D)All of the above

Answer 2

Can lead to social disorganization

Question 3

Merton's theory of anomie posits that ______.

A)There isn't a universal cultural goal in society
B)Legitimate means to obtain goals is available to all
C)Social stratification is unrelated to deviance
D)Deviance is caused by the discrepancy between the lack of legitimate means and the pursuit of the cultural goal of success

Answer 3

Deviance is caused by the discrepancy between the lack of legitimate means and the pursuit of the cultural goal of success

Question 4

According to Merton, ____are more likely to engage in deviant behaviors.

A)Retreaters
B)Innovators
C)Conformists
D)Ritualists

Question 5

According to Merton, ritualists are ______.

A)People who conform to cultural goals and use illegitimate means to achieve these goals
B)People who abandon success but still use legitimate means
C)People who conform to cultural goals and use legitimate means to achieve these goals
D)People who withdraw from society and don't care about means and goals

Question 6

According to Merton, alcoholics and drug addicts should be classified as ______.

A)Retreaters
B)Innovators
C)Conformists
D)Ritualists

Question 7

According to Merton, _____ is the universal cultural goal in U.S.society.

A)Monetary success
B)Ethical excellence
C)Educational success
D)Loving peace

Question 8

Merton's concept of anomie ______.

A)Sees social structure and inequality as an important source of deviance
B)Sees negative experiences and perceptions as an important source of deviance
C)Sees the abuse of power as an important source of deviance
D)Sees youth interaction as an important source of deviance

Question 9

Robert Merton argues that deviance is a product of anomie in society.What does he mean by this? Please use an example-other than a drug dealer or gang member-to explain what Merton means by deviant behavior being a product of anomie in society.