Introduction
Every society has its unique set of norms that each member of the society needs to abide by. In sociology parlance, deviance is referred to as behaviour or action that is against the laid down societal norms. According to Barkan (n.pag.), deviance is behaviour that violates social norms and arouses negative social reactions. The objective of this paper is to explain Robert Merton’s theory of deviance, and compare and contrast two systems of stratification. The paper is divided into three sections. The first section explains Robert Merton’s deviance theory. The second section compares and contrasts two systems of stratification. The third section concludes the paper.
Robert Merton’s Deviance Theory
Merton believed that deviance is an inherent part of a functional society (Rice University, n.pag.). His theory of deviance is better known as strain theory of deviance. This theory was proposed in 1938 (Barkan, n.pag). Merton used the word ‘strain’ to emphasise on the struggle certain section of the people go through and their failures that make them deviant. According to the strain theory, access to socially acceptable goals plays a part in determining whether a person conforms or deviates (Rice University, n.pag.). In his theory, Merton argued the reasons for higher incidences of deviance in the economically poor class of people. He stated that deviance among the poor results from a gap between the cultural emphasis on economic success and the inability to achieve such success through the legitimate means of working (Barkan, n.pag.).
Merton divides the poor based on their adaptation to the strain in their life, in five ways (Barkan, n.pag.). The first pattern of adaptation is conformity, in which poor conform to the laws of the state, nourish an economic goal and work hard to achieve it. The second pattern of adaptation is innovation. In this case, strained poor cultivate their economic goals but use innovative methods to accomplish these goals. These innovative methods mostly amount to adopting illegal and short term solutions to earning money, like stealing and conning. The third pattern of adaptation is ritualism, where poor carry on with their life as it is without any hope for progress. The fourth pattern is retreatism, in which strained poor adopt substance abuse practices to overcome their pain. The fifth pattern is rebellion, where poor people not only reject the goal of success and the means of working but work actively to bring about a new society with a new value system. The theory explains the higher incidences of crime in lower class people in the United States. The innovative behaviour is most predominant in the United States.
Systems of Stratification
Broadly, there are two systems of stratification, the closed system and open system. In a closed system of stratification, social class or caste is ascribed at birth (Bvt Publishing, 72). In this system, ranking is assigned to a person based on her religion, caste or locus in a family. Since ranking in this system is assigned by birth, a person cannot change it. In contrast, an open system of stratification, social rank is defined in terms of wealth and income (Bvt Publishing, 72). Unlike the closed system, this system allows a person to move from one stratus to other. In that sense, this system is dynamic and flexible.
Conclusion
Robert Merton’s theory of deviance describes the role of struggle in a man’s life that makes them conforming of deviant to social norms. The theory provides pointers on why poor people are more deviant and vulnerable to crime than people from other economic classes. The two systems of stratification are closed and open system. While the former is assigned from birth, the latter allows individuals to move from one rank to other, in their lifetime.
Works Cited
Barkan, Steven E. “Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World, Brief Edition, v.1.1.” Flatworldknowledge.com. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.
Bvt Publishing. “Social Differentiation and Stratification”. Bvtpublishing.com. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.
Rice University. “Theoretical Perspective of Deviance.” Cnx.org, 14. May. 2012. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.
