Robert K. Merton

Robert K. Merton was a sociologist from the 20th century. He was known for his work on how people interact in society and how different things, like rules and values, shape how people live their lives. He believed that there were 4 basic social goals everyone tries to achieve: wealth, power, prestige, and solidarity. He also believed that the way people go about trying to reach the goals depended on their social background, culture, and the available resources.