According to Robert Merton,at a time when society as a whole is becoming more affluent,why do crime rates continue to rise?
A)a sense of relative deprivation among those at the bottom
B)inadequate socialization of the poor
C)the rise of deviant subcultures
D)the ability of communities to afford more police officers
E)the presence of more material goods to steal

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Robert Merton argued that in a society where there is an overall increase in affluence, those who are still at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder experience a sense of relative deprivation. This means that they feel that they are not receiving their fair share of society's resources, despite the overall increase in wealth. This can lead to increased feelings of frustration, anxiety, and anger, which in turn may lead to an increase in crime rates.

According to Robert Merton,at a Time When Society as a Whole