In 2006, a young woman who was suffering from severe depression placed a daily online diary on YouTube. It was later discovered that she was not suffering from depression, but in fact was an actress who was using YouTube as a venue for auditioning. According to Parnaby and Sacco's (2004) research on celebrity and strain, this would be an example of
A) conformity.
B) innovation.
C) retreatism.
D) ritualism.
E) rebellion.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This situation reflects innovation, which is a form of adaptation in which an individual actively seeks new goals while rejecting traditional means of achieving them. The actress used a new means (YouTube) to pursue her goal (getting an acting job), rather than traditional means (auditioning in person). The false portrayal of her mental health could be seen as a means of gaining attention or sympathy, another aspect of innovation according to Merton's theory of strain.

In 2006, a Young Woman Who Was Suffering from Severe