You are in your dorm room studying for an upcoming exam. This is your last exam before the semester is over, and you're looking forward to the break. You will be able to relax and spend some time with family and friends without worrying about the demands of school. Your roommate stumbles in accompanied by a group of people. It is obvious that they are intoxicated. They are being loud and obnoxious and distracting you from studying. You want to finish studying and head to bed. You need to get a good night's rest so that you'll be sharp for the exam. However, it looks like that's not going to happen.

1. Merton states that individuals experience strain when they fail to achieve positively valued goals. What are the positively valued goals in the above scenario?
2. General strain theory emphasizes two categories of strain: presentation of noxious stimuli and removal of positively valued stimuli. What are the noxious stimuli in the scenario? What represents the removal of positively valued stimuli?
3. How would you handle the situation to minimize your strain? Do you think your strategy would be effective?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Positively Valued Goals 1 Academic Success The positively valued goal is to successfully complete the last exam and conclude the semester on a high no... View the full answer