Arizona State University (ASU) SOC101 Introductory Sociology Exam 1 Practice

The term for a social deviant who accepts societal goals but rejects the means to achieve them is "Innovator." This concept comes from the strain theory proposed by sociologist Robert Merton, which explains different responses individuals have to the societal goals and the means available to achieve them.

Innovators believe in the societal goals, such as wealth, success, or prestige, but they do not adhere to the accepted methods of attaining them. Instead, they create new, often unconventional strategies, which may involve deviance or illegality, to reach these goals. For instance, someone might engage in criminal activities like theft or fraud in pursuit of financial success, aligning with the idea of innovating new pathways to meet established societal expectations.

Understanding this concept helps to clarify why innovators act as they do in contrast to conformists, who strictly follow societal norms and methods, and other categories like retreatists and labelers, who either reject societal goals entirely or focus on the implications of labels rather than the means of achieving goals.