01:920:222 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Anomie
19 Mar 2019
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Robert merton assumes that there are no separate value systems for each class. Regardless of what class you belong to, everyone shares the same values and goals. Due to society, americans tend to overemphasize their success. This overemphasis puts the lower class at a disadvantage. Poor put the same amount of overemphasis as well. This is bc there are no noncompeting groups. America is an egalitarian society, so there are no noncompeting groups. The poor have the same aspirations as the wealthy do, but they are not able to achieve it as much so they experience anomie. Since they cannot achieve their goals under legitimate means, they are under strain to achieve them by illegitimate means which usually results in crime. Institutional means: conformity accept, innovation accept accept. Rebels and innovators may commit the same crimes, but for different reasons. Challenge goals of society vs. act out of self-interest.
