Final answer:
Robert Merton is the sociologist who theorized that deviance arises when there is a strain between societal goals and the means available to achieve them, resulting in what is known as strain theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theorist who developed one of the most frequently cited explanations of deviant behavior, especially in relation to the ways in which people strive for success, is sociologist Robert Merton. Merton created the strain theory, which emphasizes that individuals may turn to deviance when they perceive a discrepancy between socially acceptable goals and the available means to achieve these goals. For instance, while one person may achieve the 'American Dream' of financial success through education and career advancement, another person with the same goals but less access to resources might resort to deviant behavior, such as embezzlement, in an attempt to secure start-up funds for a business.