Robert Merton's Goal Attainment Theory Within Chapter 7

Robert Mertons Goal Attainment Theorywithin Chapter 7 There Is A Sect

Robert Merton's Strain Theory of Deviance posits that societal pressure to achieve culturally prescribed goals can lead individuals to engage in deviant behaviors when legitimate means of success are inaccessible or blocked. This theory categorizes types of adaptative responses into conformists, innovators, ritualists, retreatists, and rebels. Each reflects a different way individuals respond to the strain between societal goals and the means available to attain them.

The focus here is on the subcategory of "rebel," which refers to individuals who reject prevailing societal goals and means, instead seeking to replace or radically alter the social order. Rebels challenge the existing social structure and often create alternative goals and means aligned with their own values. This response embodies a rejection of both the cultural goals and the legitimate pathways to attain them, opting instead for revolutionary or radical change.

For this analysis, I have chosen the social group known as the "Occupy Movement," which gained prominence in 2011. The movement originated as a protest against economic inequality, corporate influence over politics, and the disparity of wealth distribution, particularly exemplified by the "We are the 99%" slogan. The participants' behavior and ideological stance best fit Merton’s "rebel" category because they rejected the dominant societal goal of economic growth and wealth accumulation through traditional means, which they perceived as unjust and rooted in systemic corruption.

Understanding the Occupy Movement as Rebels

The Occupy Movement's actions reflect a deliberate rejection of the traditional pursuit of personal wealth, material success, and the societal emphasis on individualism and capitalism. Their refusal to conform to accepted economic and political norms underscores their rebel status. For example, their occupation of public spaces such as Zuccotti Park in New York City was a form of protest that challenged the legitimacy of corporate influence and wealth inequality. They aimed to radically reform the social order, advocating for economic justice and systemic change, rather than striving for individual financial success through conventional pathways.

The movement’s symbolic acts, including the widespread use of protests, demonstrations, and the encampments in public areas, exemplify their rejection of societal goals associated with wealth and material possessions. Their actions challenged the status quo and sought to replace current economic and political systems with alternatives rooted in equality and community-based models. These acts align well with Merton’s "rebel" category because they are not merely turning to deviant means to attain success but actively rejecting and seeking to overthrow the societal goals that promote inequality.

Examples Supporting the Rebellion Categorization

Participants in the Occupy Movement openly criticized the existing social order and questioned the legitimacy of the economic system that benefits the wealthy at the expense of the poor. Their slogan, "We are the 99%," directly challenged the societal goal of wealth distribution and economic mobility. Their strategy involved occupying urban spaces and rallying for systemic reforms rather than pursuing individual success within the current system.

Furthermore, prominent figures associated with the movement, such as organizers and activists, openly called for a reshaping of economic policies and political structures, illustrating a rejection of the current societal trajectory. Their actions and rhetoric demonstrate a clear rejection of the societal goals and means associated with traditional capitalism, fitting the "rebel" characterization in Merton’s typology.

Conclusion

The Occupy Movement exemplifies Merton’s "rebel" type, as they completely reject the existing societal goals related to wealth and economic success through conventional means. Instead, they advocate for a radically different social order, aiming to replace systemic inequalities with justice and equality. By analyzing their behavior through the lens of Merton's theory, it becomes clear that their actions are rooted in the desire to challenge and modify the societal goals that perpetuate inequality, rather than merely resorting to deviant behaviors as a means to achieve success.

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