Final answer:
According to Merton's strain theory, people engage in deviance when they face a strain or disconnect between their cultural goals and the legitimate means to achieve them. Not everyone has equal access to both goals and means in society, leading to deviant behavior. Structural constraints and social inequalities are factors that prevent people from achieving their goals.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Merton's strain theory, people engage in deviance when they face a strain or disconnect between their cultural goals and the legitimate means to achieve them. Merton identified two key elements in his model: goals and means. Goals refer to the culturally accepted objectives, such as financial success, while means represent the socially approved methods to attain those goals.
Merton argued that not everyone has equal access to both goals and means in society. Some individuals may have legitimate goals but lack the means to achieve them, leading to deviant behavior. For example, an entrepreneur who cannot afford to start their own business may resort to embezzlement to obtain the necessary funds.
The primary factors that prevent people from achieving their goals are structural constraints and social inequalities. These constraints can include limited opportunities for education, inadequate social support, discrimination, and economic disparities. When individuals are unable to reach their goals through legitimate means due to these constraints, they may turn to deviant or criminal behavior as an alternative.