Robert Merton's Strain Theory

The theory I will be using in my film analysis is the strain theory. Robert Merton’s strain theory is developed within 5 elements. The elements that I will be using to explain my film split that I have chosen for this assignment. The five elements are Conformity, Innovation, Ritualism, Retreats and Rebellion. Looking at the strain theory you realize that it is divided into two groups which would be considered Means v Goals. The Strain Theory is related to Anomie, Anomie is defined within my lecture notes as, “a state of normlessness” (Kennedy 2017, “Durkheim”). Anomie within the strain theory is tension of dealing with how you are supposed to behave. The first Conformity and that has to deal with the normative means and the normative goals.
So they are accepting and rejecting at the same time. The second element is Innovation and with that it means that they are doing things in illegitimate ways. So with innovation this would be an example of selling drugs and revolving their life within a situation where they are willing to accept and reject the situation at the same time. The third element is Ritualist. Ritualist conform to standards but lost focus on the way while doing it. So for an example of ritualist that that join a club or even a sport to just be a body instead of being a helping person to help the team grow and win games would be considered a ritualist. Ritualist do not want to improve I’m success by any means. They are more than likely not to be considered to be in a criminal like behavior which is very normal. The fourth one is Retreatism, and this abandonment of something and moving on to something else where they no longer have to worry about what is going on in the world. They no longer want to be part of the social normative of means and also the normative goals. And the last one to go with the theory is