According to sociologist robert merton's theory, people feel 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. the goals may be material possessions and money; the approved means may include an education and jobs.

Mike and his wife, amanda, are arguing about his in-laws. mike doesn’t want them to visit because they fight all the time when they come to the house and he is worried about the effect that their fighting is having on mike and amanda’s children. amanda finally yells out: “what about our fighting? ” mike replies, “well, that’s different. we fight because we’re having a disagreement, they fight because they hate each other! ” this is an example of