Robert K. Merton’s strain theory was borrowed from Durkheim’s anomie concept but argued that real issues are not developed by rapid social change as proposed by Durkheim. The inadequate integration causes people to deviate; therefore, he developed the five adaptations to strain (Sadri et al., 2019). Conformity, the first reaction to anomie, is the most common because most individuals are conformists. Sadri et al. (2019) explain that these people accept goals and the ways to attain them. Additionally, they strive to succeed through avenues such as education and occupation because they are socially acceptable. Even though many are unlikely to acquire the desired objectives, they obey the rules and regulations in society without complaining or deviating (Sadri et al., 2019). Therefore, these individuals claim responsibility when they are unable to attain their target and continue to conform to the community’s expectations.
Merton believed that many deviant behaviors could be categorized as innovative, which is why he developed innovation as the second reaction to anomie. Jiang et al. (2020) state that innovators view material and monetary success as a measure of worthiness. However, they turn to criminal behavior after realizing that their experience or social status restrict them from prospering. An excellent example is a drug dealer who desires to become wealthy and attempts to attain it through illegality (Sadri et al., 2019). However, innovators are not severe compared to offenders; for example, people who lie about their educational background or work experience during interviews can be placed under this category.
Ritualism is the other Merton’s mechanism of adapting to anomie. Ritualists minimize their strain by rening their success aspirations until their desired goals and objectives can be practically attained (Borrego, 2021). These people accept their social position and stratification and adhere to the organizational means they are supposed to follow. Moreover, they avoid taking risks and are comfortable with their daily routines (Jiang et al., 2020). Agents and telemarketers are an example of ritualists because they work hard after realizing that personal riches are rare outcomes in life. However, they revise goals to align better with practical possibilities, such as making reasonable commissions to get promotions.
Retreatism is the fourth and most discouraging reaction to anomie. The reason is that retreats dramatically respond to being strained by social success forced beliefs through traditional and conventional avenues. Sadri et al. (2019) assert that these people give up and renounce their adherence and obedience to social norms and cultural goals that authorize the justifiable ways to success. Borrego (2021) explains that suicide is the ultimate way of retreating from societal values and expectations. A person who withdraws from the education system and a homeless one exhibit retreatism because they relinquish their desires to achieve culturally defined goals and pull back from activities in order to attain them.
Rebellion is the fifth and final anomie adaptation developed by Merton. This is the most dangerous, threatening, and challenging mechanism to normative, established societies (Jiang et al., 2020). Rebels reject and discount the prevailing system that legitimately determines the ends and means, intending to overthrow it. They propose new ways to success and goals due to their alienation from the cultural and social structures (Jiang et al., 2020). Examples of these revolts are radical terrorists who reject material and economic convectional ideas as ultimate goals and develop new success means including holy wars and bombing.
References
Borrego, A. R. (2021). Anomie and the purge. In Theories of Crime Through Popular Culture (pp. 43-57). Palgrave Macmillan.
Jiang, X., Hu, X., Liu, Z., Sun, X., & Xue, G. (2020). Greed as an adaptation to anomie: The mediating role of belief in a zero-sum game and the buffering effect of internal locus of control. Personality and Individual Differences, 152, 109566. Web.
Sadri, M., Williams, J. L., & Barber, D. (2019). Collective adaptation to structural strain: Commiserating and problem-solving in groups.Sociological Spectrum, 39(6), 392-404. Web.