DIRECTIONS
Using the information presented in chapter 7 in your textbook (pages 150-163), write a 5 paged (double-spaced) paper that summarizes and discusses in detail the main ideas of Robert Merton’s Anomie Theory of Deviance (deviant behavior). In addition to your textbook, use at least 3 outside sources (actual books or internet sources) to go into additional detail about the background of the theory than that offered by the textbook. Be sure to directly cite the sources within the body of the paper and these on a reference page (title that page References and place as the last page of the paper).
FORMATTING
Create a multiple-section paper and place each of the section headings in bold font. Use the formatting and headings utilized in the example below to organize your paper.
Introduce your paper with an opening paragraph discussing what you will do in the paper. Title the section Introduction. Conclude your essay with a final paragraph discussing what you addressed in the paper. Title the section Conclusion. An abbreviated example opening introduction paragraph is below.
Introduction
This paper discusses deviance as it is described, defined, and understood within the discipline of Sociology. Deliberated is Robert Merton’s Anomie Theory of deviant behavior. This paper clarifies the main ideas of Merton’s theory and presents the five adaptations: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. The five adaptations are discussed in detail and each applied to a “real world” example…
The Sociology of Deviance
In this section, use the information of pages 158-159 as a starting point to discuss what deviance (deviant behavior) is to sociologists (that is, how it is conceptualized and defined). Apply the information in the textbook and outside sources to add depth to this section. I also suggest discussing the concept of conformity and/or other related terms in this section. This section should be approximately 1 double-spaced page or more in length.
Merton’s Anomie Theory of Deviance
In this section, use the information of pages 160-161 as a starting point to discuss Merton’s Anomie theory of deviance. Use the information from the textbook as a starting point and the outside sources to elaborate on Merton’s theory. This section should address the main ideas of Merton’s theory. It should also include Merton’s five modes of adaptation and how these form the basis of his theory. There will be some overlap between this section and the sections below when the distinct adaptations are presented and discussed. This section should be approximately 1 double-spaced page or more in length.
Adaptation #1: Conformity (the Conformist)
In this section discuss the adaptation of conformity to social norms. Apply outside sources to add clarity and depth to this section (you do not have to use all three sources in each section). Be very detailed.
Also discuss a “real world” example of conformity. The example may be “real”, an example from a book, movie, or TV show, a historical or contemporary figure, or created by your imagination. Tell a detailed story describing the adaption and how it is used. Be creative and comprehensive.
Follow this same process for each of the other four adaptations.
Adaptation #2: Retreatism (the Retreatist)
Adaptation #3: Innovator (the Innovator)
Adaptation #4: Ritualism (the Ritualist)
Adaptation #5: Rebellion (the Rebel)
Conclusion
This paper discussed deviance as it is described, defined, and understood within the discipline of Sociology. This paper also presented Robert Merton’s Anomie Theory of deviant behavior. It explained the main ideas of Merton’s theory and introduced five adaptations outlined by Anomie theory: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. The five adaptations were each discussed in detail and applied to a “real world” example…
CITING SOURCES AND THE REFERENCE PAGE
The paragraph below provides examples of how to cite sources within the body of the paper, depending on whether quoting directly or paraphrasing. It is followed by an example of how to place the source on the reference page.
Direct Quotation Example
The concept of deviance in Sociology is defined as “behavior that violates the standards of conduct or expectations of a group or society” (Schaefer 2016: 158).
Paraphrasing Example (using the ideas but placing in your own words)
Deviance is defined in Sociology as any act that breaks the rules of behavior of a particular set of people or the society itself (Schaefer 2016).
References
Schaefer, Richard T. 2016. Sociology in Modules. 3rd edition. New York: McGraw Hill.
*The chart/diagram below may help you to understand and explain Merton’s Anomie theory of deviance. If you create your own chart/diagram in the paper, simply cite the source where you found the information.
