According to Robert K. Merton, people experience tension when they are exposed to cultural goals that they are unable to obtain because they do not have access to culturally approved means of achieving those goals. Which theory describes this idea? a. Strain theoryb. Control theoryc. Opportunity theoryd. Differential associationtheory

a. Strain theory

Explanation:

When a person is not able to achieve goals that are socially acceptable through socially acceptable means, it puts strain on the individual. The strain may cause the person to use illegal means to achieve their goals.

There are two types of strains

Structural: When the person perceives that the system itself is unfair to them.

Individual: The pain that is experienced by an individual in order to achieve their goals.