Meghan wants a new car, but can't afford the payments. Instead of buying a used car, she steals and re-sells some jewelry and other expensive items to get cash for a down payment, lies to the car dealer about having a high-paying job, then skips out on the monthly payments. In Merton's schema, Meghan's behavior exemplifies

Question

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Meghan's behavior exemplifies an innovator according to Merton's schema because she accepts societal goals (owning a new car) but uses illegitimate means (stealing, lying) to achieve them, which is characteristic of innovation in Merton's theory of deviance.

Meghan Wants a New Car, but Can't Afford the Payments