According to Merton's theory, which category represents individuals who embrace culturally approved goals but resort to unconventional or illegitimate methods to attain them?

Show Answers

Those who follow societal goals and accepted methodsIndividuals who accept goals but use any means, including deviant ones, to reach themPeople who abandon goals but continue with accepted proceduresThose who reject both societal goals and the means to achieve themIndividuals who modify goals and methods to fit their circumstances

Explanation

Merton identifies 'innovators' as those who accept the cultural goals but employ unapproved or illegal means to accomplish them, distinguishing them from conformists who follow both goals and means, ritualists who abandon goals but follow means, and retreatists who reject both.