Essay about Robert Merton's Strain Theory

Hi there,
I am REALLY struggling with answering an essay question for my online sociology course. I am not sure what the "conflict theory" or the "strain theory" is. I've read multiple definitions, but I can't understand it for the life of me. This is the question:

Robert Merton explained that deviance often occurs as people are attempting to adapt to periods of structural strain in their society. Explain Merton's strain theory and recreate his typology and the types of deviance that can arise as people adapt to the goals and means of their society during a period of social strain. Illustrate each adaptation with an example. (You may chart Merton's typology, but be sure to explain each adaptation and your example in complete sentences.)

Hi Brandon, honestly, when I got to read your essay, I must say that this particular prompt needs a lot of research, not to the extent of doing it like a research paper but you need to do some sort of researching. Having said that, the prompt is already suggesting an approach of creating a chart to highlight Merton's theory.

As far as my little research goes, this particular theory is a study on how people adapt to the changes in the society, how people react to certain circumstances and how this affects the overall community. This should be able to open a few sentences in your essay.

Having said that, a duly compiled research on the theory will greatly help your essay. When you do so, focus on the facts and when its time to end your essay, allow me to inject a question that may be able to help you formulate your conclusion, Is Robert Merton's theory visible in this day and age?, if so, how.

There you have it Brandon, I hope to read your essay soon.