In terms of strain theory, a __________ is an example of someone who exhibits retreatism from society.A.studentB.person who voluntarily lives on the streetC.convictD.police officerSubmit

Sure, let's break down the question step by step.

1. Understanding Strain Theory:

   • Strain theory, developed by sociologist Robert K. Merton, suggests that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals (like wealth or success), but not everyone has the means to achieve these goals. This discrepancy can lead to strain, which may result in different types of deviant behavior.

2. Types of Adaptation in Strain Theory:

   • Merton identified five modes of individual adaptation to strain:
     1. Conformity: Accepting the goals and the means to achieve them.
     2. Innovation: Accepting the goals but using new (often illegitimate) means to achieve them.
     3. Ritualism: Abandoning the goals but rigidly adhering to the means.
     4. Retreatism: Rejecting both the goals and the means, leading to withdrawal from society.
     5. Rebellion: Rejecting both the established goals and means, but advocating for new ones.

3. Identifying Retreatism:

   • Retreatism involves rejecting both societal goals and the means to achieve them, leading to withdrawal from societal expectations and norms.

4. Analyzing the Options:

   • A. Student: Typically, a student is engaged in societal goals (education, career) and means (studying, attending school).
   • B. Person who voluntarily lives on the street: This person may have rejected societal goals (like wealth, career) and the means to achieve them (employment, education), fitting the definition of retreatism.
   • C. Convict: While a convict may be seen as deviant, they do not necessarily reject societal goals and means; they may have just used illegitimate means.
   • D. Police officer: A police officer is generally seen as conforming to societal goals and means, enforcing laws and norms.

5. Conclusion:

   • The correct answer is B. person who voluntarily lives on the street. This individual exemplifies retreatism by rejecting both societal goals and the conventional means to achieve them, choosing instead to withdraw from societal expectations.

So, in terms of strain theory, a person who voluntarily lives on the street is an example of someone who exhibits retreatism from society.