Thomas, age thirty-seven, grew up in an extremely impoverished neighborhood of a city that was, itself, struggling to survive after most of its factories closed and no new industries moved in to take their place. Thomas did get a high school diploma but has been periodically unemployed and, when employed, often works part-time and earns only minimum wage. He would love to get job training and make more of himself, maybe even own his own home someday, but he simply does not have the resources needed to make that happen. Merton's structural strain theory would predict that Thomas might turn to crime because of
A) the amount of anomie he experiences.
B) the emotional stress caused by his situation.
C) the tension between desired cultural goals and the means of achieving them.
D) the lack of any commitment to cultural goals.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Merton's structural strain theory posits that individuals may turn to crime when there is a disconnect between desired cultural goals and the means of achieving them. In Thomas's case, he desires job training and financial stability but lacks the resources to achieve those goals, thus creating tension and strain that could potentially lead him to criminal activity as a means of achieving those desired goals.

Thomas, Age Thirty-Seven, Grew Up in an Extremely Impoverished Neighborhood