According to Merton's Strain Theory, when individuals are unable to achieve culturally defined goals through legitimate means, they may resort to __________ as a way to reach their objectives.

According to Merton's Strain Theory, when people cannot reach their society's goals, like success or wealth, through accepted ways, they might turn to deviance or crime as an alternative. This happens because they feel pressure or strain from not being able to achieve what is expected of them. For example, if a young person wants to afford a nice car but can't get a good job, they might steal a car instead. This reaction shows how the frustration of not meeting societal expectations can lead individuals to take illegal paths. Essentially, Merton's theory helps us understand why some people choose to break the rules when they feel blocked from their dreams.