Question

according to robert merton, when adolescents accept the cultural goal but reject the institutional means of attaining it, they may pursue other illegitimate paths in a stage of adaptation called ______.
a conformity
b innovation
c retreatism
d ritualism

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze Robert Merton's strain theory:

• Option A (conformity): Accepts both cultural goals and institutional means. Eliminate.
• Option B (innovation): Accepts cultural goals but rejects legitimate institutional means, pursuing illegitimate paths (e.g., crime) to achieve goals. This matches the description.
• Option C (retreatism): Rejects both cultural goals and institutional means (e.g., dropouts, hermits). Eliminate.
• Option D (ritualism): Rejects cultural goals but follows institutional means (e.g., going through motions without goal). Eliminate.

Answer:

B. innovation