Final answer:
The correct option is 2), 3). One criticism of Merton's consensus theories is his overemphasis on social structure and his failure to account for individual agency, limiting the understanding of personal motivations and individual-culture interplay.
Step-by-step explanation:
One criticism of Robert K. Merton's work involving consensus is his failure to consider individual agency. Merton's theory, particularly in relation to deviance, focuses on how individuals respond to the societal pressures related to achieving the American Dream when they lack socially acceptable means. He suggests five modes of adaptation, such as conformity and innovation, addressing how different individuals may react to the strain between goals and means.
However, critics argue that Merton's analysis overemphasizes social structure at the expense of recognizing the agency individuals possess in making choices irrespective of societal pressures. Consequently, this perspective is seen as limiting since it does not fully account for personal motivations and the complex interplay between individual actions and the larger cultural context.