Compare Durkheim's thoughts on anomie with Merton's.

What will be an ideal response?


Varies. According to Durkheim, anomie is a state in which a society's norms fail to regulate behavior. The bond between the individual and the community breaks down, and society loses its moral force as personal and societal standards of behavior fail to align. According to Merton, anomie is a societal overemphasis on success goals and an underemphasis on the appropriate means to achieve that success. If someone aspires to some form of success, they will potentially achieve it through either legitimate or illegitimate means, especially when there is great inequality in access to legitimate means.

Sociology

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Which of the following medical conditions has been associated with lack of sexual desire?

A. high blood pressure B. heart disease C. diabetes D. untreated depression

Sociology

_____ is the legitimate use of power.

A. Authority B. Coercive power C. Legality D. Charisma E. Fairness

Sociology

If a parent threatens a child with punishment in order to discourage wrongdoing, the parent is using punishment to accomplish

a. deterrence. b. retribution. c. social protection. d. rehabilitation.

Sociology

What is the central paradox in the development of cultural identity?

a. One cannot be superior without an inferior used for sake of comparison. b. All countries must compare themselves to the West and themselves. c. All identities are militarily based; yet we hardly use that might. d. All people possess all and no cultural identities at the same time.

Sociology