Look at Merton's Modes of Adaptation. Give at least one example of how someone, perhaps someone in the criminal justice system, uses each mode.
Robert K. Merton's "Social Structure and Anomie" (1938). People adapt in many different ways. Just as part of a river that suddenly finds it, self blocked by an obstacle and may split and find a new way to the ocean. Merton outlines five ways in which people adapt to society's goals and means and they are as follows:
1) Conformity - Adherence to the practices or beliefs of the majority. The most common form of adaptation. Conformists are the individuals who want seek the "American Dream" by reaching their goals through honest hard work. They are law-abiding people and use only means of legitimacy to get what they want out of life.
One example is I. At one time, I was going down the path of ritualism but I got so tired of standing still in one position.
My American Dream
Robert K. Merton
American Dream (comics)I just feel like I can do more with my life and I am headed straight for reaching the "American Dream. I am working very hard to reach that goal and nothing will stop me or get in my way of reaching them!
Conformity is the tendency to adjust one's thinking or behavior toward group norms or standards. In some professions, such as lawyers, dressing in a shirt and tie, suit, is an expected behavior. Many people conform to obtain a sense of belonging and to avoid social rejection. In addition, when a judge, lawyer, and prosecutor, and the defendant conform to an agreement on a sentence. In addition, examples are Bill Gates and Colin Powell
2) Innovation - 1.origination: the act or process of inventing or introducing something new
2. New idea...