Question

In: Psychology

What is structural strain? What are the sources of structural strain in the United States or...

What is structural strain? What are the sources of structural strain in the United States or your country of choice? What are the responses to structural strain (Merton’s Typology)? How can your relate structural strain with “The Saints and the Roughnecks”? ( Min 1 page)

Solutions

Expert Solution

a) Structural strain is all about opposite behaviour an individual indulges in because of pressures from the society.

Every society around the world have certain norms or ways in which we all have to behave but sometimes due to pressures for example; poverty or lack of jobs people experience societal pressure and get involved in behaviours which are unethical or amoral.

When the society puts pressure on someone to achieve a dream and the person is not able to due to lack of means then they experience strain and indulge in crimes for example drugs or prostitution.

b)SOURCES OF STRUCTURAL STRAIN IN INDIA/US

India is a huge country with 1.3 billion of population and everybody has aspirations to become someone or achieve some milestone in life.

But since its a huge country people also experience a lot of stress and depression due to;

  • poverty
  • employment opportunities:- lack of education especially in rural India since they cant afford studies in big schools or universities
  • caste system
  • socio-economic differences:- unequal distribution of monetary resources
  • belief system
  • political system:- violation of human rights

And all these factors lead to people being under pressure from the society in general and family to achieve something. for example; In India every person needs a job to do, some people want to set up their own businesses and when one cant find any sources to raise money people especially younger generation of India indulge in crimes like robbery,kidnapping etc.

People in U.S also experience this strain because of racism and classism because they also aim for the same goals of economic success as the rest of the society but inequalities in society limit them to achieve this success.

for example; the Black Lives Matter Movement that happened shows this strain.

c)RESPONSES TO STRUCTURAL STRAIN (MERTON'S TYPOLOGY)-WAYS TO ADAPT WHEN PEOPLE EXPERIENCE STRAIN

  • CONFORMITY:- this describes those people who accept the both culturally valued goals and legitimate ways to achieving economic success for example working part time to earn money and saving it to start your business
  • INNOVATION:- this describes people who use illegitimate means to achieve success like stealing,drug dealing etc.
  • RITUALISM:- these people use legitimate means to achieve success but they dont set up too high goals for themselves. They set up more modest goals for themselves. they would be happy with an average job too.
  • REBELLION:- they reject the cultural goals and means and find ways to replace them and do something out of the box ;find something new to do and achieve, it can lead to crime,violence and terrorism.
  • RETREATISM:- they reject the cultural goals and legitimate ways of attaining something and try to escape from it by just giving up on everything

d) THE SAINTS AND THE ROUGHNECKS BY WILLIAM J. CHAMBLISS

  • the saints were were the higher class who were intelligent and well dressed and the roughnecks were the middles class ones treated as criminals.
  • According to the strain theory Saints use INNOVATION of adapting to strain as they accept the cultural goals in the society but use uncoventional means to achieve them; they did achieve success but were not as successful as others in the long run.The Roughnecks rejected the cultural goals of completing school and used REBELLION as a way to adapt to strain in order to seek new goals through new means.
  • The socio economic status of the boys was a primary driver of how they were perceived or treated in the society.

Related Solutions

what exactly is social insurance in the united states and name and describe the funding sources...
what exactly is social insurance in the united states and name and describe the funding sources for the two major social insurances? what percent of total healthcare expenses are paid through these insurances? explain two unintended consequences of social insurance programs?
Suppose the unemployment rate in the United States is 10% and the structural unemployment rate is...
Suppose the unemployment rate in the United States is 10% and the structural unemployment rate is 3% and the frictional unemployment rate 5%. The actual Real GDP level is $12 billion and the Natural Real GDP is $20 billion. Please answer questions 3a through 3c below. 3a. Calculate the natural unemployment rate and the cyclical unemployment rate for the United States. Also, please calculate the recessionary gap or the inflationary gap using the actual Real GDP level and the Natural...
Suppose the unemployment rate in the United States is 10% and the structural unemployment rate is...
Suppose the unemployment rate in the United States is 10% and the structural unemployment rate is 6% and the frictional unemployment rate is 5%. The actual Real GDP level is $ 30 billion and the Natural Real GDP level is $27 billion. Please answer questions 3a through 3c below. 3a. Calculate the natural unemployment rate for the United States. Then, please calculate the Cyclical Unemployment rate and then please calculate the recessionary gap or an inflationary gap using the actual...
The main sources of health insurance in the United States include all of the following except...
The main sources of health insurance in the United States include all of the following except A. ​for-profit firms such as Aetna and John Hancock. B. household​ co-operatives, or​ co-ops. C. the​ government, through programs such as​ Medicare, Medicaid, and the Veterans Administration. D. ​non-profit firms such as the Blue Cross and Blue Shield organizations.
Identify the 5 main sources of economic growth for the United States. Include a discussion of...
Identify the 5 main sources of economic growth for the United States. Include a discussion of the recent revised International trade contracts with North America and Japan. Worth 20 points.
What does United States GDP measure and what should United States GDP measure?  
What does United States GDP measure and what should United States GDP measure?  
Explain structural strain theory. List and define the five modes of adaptation.
Explain structural strain theory. List and define the five modes of adaptation.
what is the statistic in the United States for Thalassemia?
what is the statistic in the United States for Thalassemia?
please explain the current fiscal policy in the United States... if you use any sources, please...
please explain the current fiscal policy in the United States... if you use any sources, please list them.
What is the sanctions process in the United States, the United Nations, in the European Union?
What is the sanctions process in the United States, the United Nations, in the European Union?
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT