Merton's theory

Conformists

Follow society’s rules and work towards success the accepted way (e.g., students who study hard to get good jobs).

Innovators

Accept society’s goals but use unconventional or illegal ways to achieve them (e.g., scammers or drug dealers trying to get rich).

Ritualists

Follow the rules but lose sight of the bigger goal (e.g., someone who works hard but gives up on financial success).

Retreatists

Reject both the goals and the methods, often withdrawing from society (e.g., drug addicts or hermits).

Rebels

Reject society’s goals and create their own, often trying to change the system (e.g., revolutionaries or activists pushing for a new social order).

innovator

individuals who accept society’s approved goals but not society’s approved means to achieve them

ritualist

individuals who have given up hope of achieving society’s approved goals but still operate according to society’s approved means

retreatists

individuals who renounce society’s approved goals and means entirely and live outside conventional norms altogether

rebels

individuals who reject society’s approved goals and means and instead create and work toward their own (sometimes revolutionary) goals using new means