SOCI2222A Fall 2024 Lecture 1 Merton anomie

Anomie

A state of normlessness or breakdown of social norms in a society.

Social structure

The organized pattern of social relationships and social institutions that together compose society.

Nonconformity

Behavior that does not conform to established customs or norms.

Culturally defined goals

Objectives that are recognized and valued by society, serving as benchmarks for success.

Institutional norms

Rules and standards that govern the acceptable means of achieving cultural goals.

Innovation (Adaptation II)

A response to societal pressures where individuals accept cultural goals but reject the prescribed means to achieve them.

Ritualism (Adaptation III)

A behavior where individuals abandon the cultural goals but continue to adhere to the institutional means.

Retreatism (Adaptation IV)

A strategy where individuals reject both societal goals and means, leading to withdrawal from society.

Rebellion (Adaptation V)

A response characterized by the rejection of both established goals and means, seeking to create new social structures.

Cultural chaos

A breakdown of cultural norms leading to unpredictable social behavior.

Deviant behavior

Actions that violate societal rules and expectations.

Socio-cultural sources of deviant behavior

The societal and cultural conditions that contribute to nonconformity in behavior.

Illegitimacy adjustment

Utilizing proscribed means to achieve culturally defined success, particularly in contexts lacking legitimate opportunities.

Status obligations

Expectations attached to one's social position within the society.

Social order

The arrangement of practices and behaviors on which society’s members base their daily lives.

Amoral intelligence

A perspective where individuals prioritize practical knowledge for success over moral considerations.

Disproportionate emphasis on goals

A societal condition where the pursuit of success is valued above the integrity of the means employed to achieve it.

Competitive order

A structured environment where individuals compete for social rewards.

Absorption of cultural emphasis

The process by which society internalizes values, such as the importance of wealth and success.

Effective opportunities

Access to means that allow individuals to attain culturally defined successes.

Pecuniary success

Financial wealth and its recognition as a measure of achievement within a society.