Merton believed that there are 5 modes of adaptation to strains. These modes are:

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Merton's strain theory posits that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals (like wealth or success), but the structure of society doesn't provide equal means to achieve these goals. The five modes of adaptation he identified are conformists (who accept both goals and means), innovators (who accept goals but find new means), ritualists (who abandon goals but follow means), retreatists (who reject both goals and means), and rebels (who reject both and want to change the system).

Merton Believed That There Are 5 Modes of Adaptation to Strains