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25 Deviant Behav. 1 (2004)

handle is hein.journals/devbh25 and id is 1 raw text is: Deviant Behavior, 25: 1-26, 2004 I' Taylor & Francis Copyright ( Taylor & Francis Inc. Taylor&Francis Group ISSN: 0163-9625 print/1521-0456 online DOL 10.1080/01639620490253992 fame and strain: the contributions of mertonian deviance theory to an understanding of the relationship between celebrity and deviant behavior Patrick F. Parnaby McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Vincent F. Sacco Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada This paper argues that Merton's original means/goals gap theory can be usedto understand the emerging relationship between deviant behavior and the acquisition of celebrity status. The intent is to illuminate how forms of deviant behavior have become adaptive responses to the structurally anomic conditions that have resulted from popular culture's incessant emphasis on the desirability of fame and celebrity status, and the structurally limited means by which it can be legitimately achieved. Merton's original forms of adaptation-innovation, retreatism, rebellion, and ritualism-are explored in relation to this increasingly important phenomenon. Received 6 February 2003; accepted 30 April 2003. Address correspondence to Patrick F. Parnaby, 8 Humber Trail, Bolton, Ontario L7E 5R8 Canada. E-mail: pparnabyl@rogers.com I