According to Merton,when persons hold high success aspirations and are not given the opportunity to realize them,they might

A) resort to illegitimate means of achieving their aspirations.
B) reset their goals to an even higher level.
C) feel irrepressible psychological pressures and become violent.
D) become more religious.

Merton's strain theory suggests that when individuals are unable to achieve their aspirations through legitimate means, they may resort to illegitimate means, such as crime, to achieve their goals. Thus, option A is the correct choice. Option B is incorrect because Merton suggests that individuals who are unable to achieve their goals through legitimate means may experience strain and adjust their goals to a lower level, rather than a higher one. Option C is also incorrect because Merton suggests that individuals may experience psychological pressures, but not necessarily become violent. Option D is not supported by Merton's theory.