Final answer:
Anomie, according to Merton's strain theory, is the misalignment of cultural goals and institutional means, often experienced by individuals in lower socioeconomic classes when legitimate paths to achieve societal goals are blocked.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Merton (Theory of Structural Strain), anomie represents a misalignment of cultural goals and institutional means for individuals in the lower classes of society. Merton’s strain theory posits that in a society, particularly one that esteems the "American Dream," there should be an alignment between the societal goals and the means available for people to achieve them. However, individuals, especially from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, may find themselves in a position where despite having the desire to achieve these goals, the legitimate means to do so are unavailable or unattainable.
This misalignment can lead to the experience of strain, which in turn may precipitate deviant behavior as individuals struggle to reach societal expectations through means that are not socially approved. Merton identified five ways in which people respond to this strain: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. An example of this is an entrepreneur who, unable to afford launching their own company legitimately, might resort to embezzling funds as a means to achieve financial success. This is reflective of the wider social context and structural inequities that influence individual behavior within society.