Juan Carlos originally hoped to purchase a home. However, because he could not earn enough money to ever afford one, he decided that a home was no longer important. Instead, he found happiness through quitting his job, moving into a shack in the woods, and enjoying the solitude. Merton would classify Juan Carlos's adaptation to strain as ______.
A) conformity
B) innovation
C) retreatism
D) rebellion

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Juan Carlos's rejection of societal goals (homeownership) and means (earning enough money) puts him in the retreatism category. He is not conforming to society's expectations nor is he innovating a new way to achieve those goals. Instead, he is isolating himself from society and its expectations.

Juan Carlos Originally Hoped to Purchase a Home