📚 Learning Guide
Merton's Strain Theory
easy

According to Merton's Strain Theory, what is the likely response of individuals who accept societal goals but reject legitimate means to achieve them?

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Learning Path

Question & Answer
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Choose the Best Answer

A

Innovation

B

Conformity

C

Ritualism

D

Retreatism

Understanding the Answer

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Answer

According to Merton's Strain Theory, individuals who accept societal goals but reject the legitimate means to achieve them often turn to what is called "innovation. " This means they still want to succeed, like earning money or achieving status, but they choose unconventional or illegal ways to get there. For example, someone might want to be wealthy but instead of working a regular job, they might resort to stealing or dealing drugs. This response shows how people can feel pressure when they see the goals of society as important but feel blocked from achieving them through accepted paths. In this way, innovation highlights the struggle between societal expectations and personal circumstances.

Detailed Explanation

Innovation happens when people want to reach goals but choose new, often illegal ways to do it. Other options are incorrect because Conformity means following the rules and using accepted ways to achieve goals; Ritualism is when people stick to the rules but give up on the goals.

Key Concepts

Merton's Strain Theory
Deviant behavior
Societal goals
Topic

Merton's Strain Theory

Difficulty

easy level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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