Alice is 16 and lives with her mother and four younger siblings in an impoverished neighborhood. Alice does well in school and will be the first of her family to graduate from high school. She knows she could have a better life by getting a college degree, but she does not have the means to go to college and no one ever talks to Alice about furthering her education. Like many teenage girls her age, Alice wants trendy clothes, fashionable shoes, and expensive handbags. Alice works part-time at the local grocery store, but her earnings go to her mother to help with family finances. Alice is approached and asked to carry drugs to the dealers around town. She agrees; after all, she is not the one selling the drugs so she really is not hurting anyone. The money Alice makes allows her to quit her job at the grocery store, help her mother, and buy clothes, shoes, and handbags. She now thinks that is not necessary to finish school. According to Merton's social adaptation theory, which mode of adaptation best describes Alice?

Question

Alice is 16 and lives with her mother and four younger siblings in an impoverished neighborhood. Alice does well in school and will be the first of her family to graduate from high school.  She knows she could have a better life by getting a college degree, but she does not have the means to go to college and no one ever talks to Alice about furthering her education.  Like many teenage girls her age, Alice wants trendy clothes, fashionable shoes, and expensive handbags.  Alice works part-time at the local grocery store, but her earnings go to her mother to help with family finances.  Alice is approached and asked to carry drugs to the dealers around town.  She agrees; after all, she is not the one selling the drugs so she really is not hurting anyone.  The money Alice makes allows her to quit her job at the grocery store, help her mother, and buy clothes, shoes, and handbags.  She now thinks that is not necessary to finish school.  According to Merton's social adaptation theory, which mode of adaptation best describes Alice? ​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Alice's behavior aligns with innovation in Merton's social adaptation theory, as she accepts societal goals (wealth, success) but adopts illegitimate means (drug trafficking) to achieve them, diverging from socially approved methods.

Alice Is 16 and Lives with Her Mother and Four