Briefly explain the four deviant paths:
1. Innovators
2. Ritualism
3. Retreatism
4. Rebellion
1. Innovators: Innovators are individuals who accept the goals of society but reject the conventional means of achieving these goals. They may resort to deviant behavior in order to achieve success or wealth. For example, a person who sells illegal drugs to make money and gain material possessions would be considered an innovator.
2. Ritualism: Ritualists are individuals who reject the goals of society but still conform to the conventional means of achieving these goals. They may abandon aspirations for success and wealth, but continue to adhere to the rules and regulations of society. For instance, a person who continues to work at a low-paying job despite having no desire for career advancement or financial success could be seen as a ritualist.
3. Retreatism: Retreatists are individuals who reject both the goals and the means of achieving them in society. They withdraw or "retreat" from society altogether and do not actively participate in mainstream activities. Some examples of retreatists include homeless individuals or those who live in isolation or seclusion.
4. Rebellion: Rebels are individuals who reject both the goals and the means of achieving them in society, but instead actively attempt to replace those goals and means with alternative ideas or systems. They may engage in protests, demonstrations, or other forms of activism to challenge and change social norms and institutions. A rebellion could involve a group of people advocating for social, political, or economic change. Examples of rebellion include political revolutions or social movements.
1. Innovators: Innovators are individuals who deviate from socially acceptable means but still hold conventional goals. They reject socially approved means of achieving success, such as education or hard work, and instead turn to illegitimate or unconventional methods to attain their goals. For example, they may engage in criminal behavior, such as theft or fraud, in order to accumulate wealth or material possessions.
2. Ritualism: Ritualists are individuals who conform to socially acceptable means but reject the conventional goals that society values. They follow the established rules and norms, but do not have high aspirations or expectations for success. They often feel disconnected from societal goals and pursue a narrow path of routine and bureaucracy. They may choose jobs with little ambition and focus on following rules and regulations rather than pursuing personal success.
3. Retreatism: Retreatists are individuals who reject both the socially acceptable means and the conventional goals of society. They withdraw from societal expectations and norms, often becoming disconnected and detached from social institutions. They may choose to live in seclusion or engage in drug abuse or substance addiction as a way to escape societal pressures and responsibilities. Retreatists may feel disillusioned with societal expectations and prefer to live apart from traditional norms and expectations.
4. Rebellion: Rebels are individuals who reject both the means and goals of society and actively work to replace them with alternative values and norms. They challenge the existing social order and strive for radical change. Rebels may engage in political activism, social movements, or other forms of dissent to challenge the status quo. They seek to create a new system that aligns with their own values and ideals, often through acts of protest and rebellion.
The four deviant paths you mentioned are different ways that individuals might respond to societal norms and expectations. Let me explain each one:
1. Innovators: Innovators are individuals who accept the goals of society but pursue them through unconventional or illegal means. They may feel pressure to succeed, but lack the resources or opportunities available to them within the legitimate framework of society. As a result, they turn to deviant behaviors, such as theft or fraud, to attain their goals.
2. Ritualism: Ritualists are individuals who have given up on achieving society's goals, but still adhere to the means or methods that society prescribes. They reject the pursuit of success or material gain, but continue to follow the rules and norms of society. For example, someone who goes through the motions of holding a job but lacks ambition or desire for advancement can be considered a ritualist.
3. Retreatism: Retreatists are individuals who reject both the goals and means of society. They withdraw from societal expectations and may turn to substance abuse or isolation as a way to cope with their discontent. Retreatists often disengage from mainstream society, living on the fringe and rejecting societal norms entirely.
4. Rebellion: Rebels are individuals who reject both the goals and means of society but actively seek to replace them with alternative systems. They challenge existing social structures and norms in pursuit of their own ideals. Rebellion can manifest itself through political activism, social movements, or even non-conformist subcultures that defy mainstream societal values.
It's important to note that these deviant paths are conceptualized within the context of strain theory, a sociological perspective that suggests that deviant behaviors are a response to the strain caused by the discrepancy between culturally valued goals and the means to achieve them.