In this model there are two points – culture goals (degree, promotion, large house, etc.) and institutionalized means (schools, government agencies, banks, etc.). The goals are for people to accomplish, while the institutionalized means are meant to provide a legitimate belief to achieve those goals. However, for some people these two points are difficult to sustain. In order to alleviate strain, some individuals moved away from conformity by “changing their cultural goal and/or withdrawing their allegiance to institutionalized means.” (p. 68). So, Merton produced four modes which are categorized as conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion. In essence, everyone can fit into one of these modes. For instance, if someone is deemed a conformist they aspire to societies’ goals and believe in the institutions to achieve them. On the other hand, an innovationist believes in the goals but not the means of achieving them. For
In this model there are two points – culture goals (degree, promotion, large house, etc.) and institutionalized means (schools, government agencies, banks, etc.). The goals are for people to accomplish, while the institutionalized means are meant to provide a legitimate belief to achieve those goals. However, for some people these two points are difficult to sustain. In order to alleviate strain, some individuals moved away from conformity by “changing their cultural goal and/or withdrawing their allegiance to institutionalized means.” (p. 68). So, Merton produced four modes which are categorized as conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion. In essence, everyone can fit into one of these modes. For instance, if someone is deemed a conformist they aspire to societies’ goals and believe in the institutions to achieve them. On the other hand, an innovationist believes in the goals but not the means of achieving them. For