Question

Tracy is a woman who rejects the goals defined by society to achieve a big house and lots of money, but she still follows the means and abides by the rules. Merton would classify Tracy as a(n):

1) innovator
2) retreatist
3) ritualist
4) rebel

Answer 1

Tracy would be classified as a 'ritualist' according to Merton's strain theory because she rejects societal goals but follows the means and abides by the rules.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tracy would be classified as a ritualist according to Robert Merton's classification. Ritualists are individuals who reject the goals defined by society, such as achieving wealth and a big house, but still conform to the means and rules established by society. They focus on conformity and maintaining social norms rather than pursuing distant dreams. Tracy's rejection of the societal goals while still abiding by the means aligns with the concept of ritualism.

According to Robert Merton's strain theory, Tracy is a woman who displays the behavior of a 'ritualist'. A ritualist is someone who abandons the goals defined by society, such as aiming for a big house and lots of money, yet continues to adhere to the institutional means of achieving those goals. Ritualists lower their personal goals but maintain strict adherence to societal norms and regulations, focusing on conformity over achieving a distant dream. Therefore, Merton would classify Tracy as a ritualist.