Final answer:
Merton's strain theory outlines that individuals who resort to illegal or deviant means to achieve material wealth exemplify the pathway of 'innovation'.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Merton's strain theory, individuals who use illegal or deviant means of obtaining the accepted goal of achieving material wealth fall into the category of innovation. Merton defined five ways people respond to the gap between having a socially accepted goal and having no socially accepted way to pursue it. Those who opt for innovation might engage in activities such as embezzlement to secure start-up funds for a business when legitimate means are not available to them. This pathway highlights the societal pressures to achieve financial success and the lengths some individuals may go to when they lack legitimate opportunities. This concept relates to broader sociological studies on social control, illegal substances, and the connections between poverty and crime.