All of Jane's friends have jewelry and new clothes,but she has no money to buy them.She therefore resorts to shoplifting to get what she wants.According to Merton's theory,her behavior is an example of

A) conformity.
B) innovation.
C) ritualism.
D) retreatism.

Merton's theory proposes five possible ways that individuals can respond to their inability or limited ability to achieve culturally defined goals. Innovation involves using unconventional means to attain these goals, such as resorting to criminal behavior like shoplifting. Conformity involves accepting cultural goals and using accepted means to attain them. Ritualism involves rejecting cultural goals but continuing to adhere to acceptable means. Retreatism involves rejecting both cultural goals and means, and finally, rebellion involves rejection and replacement of cultural goals and means with alternative ones. In Jane's case, resorting to shoplifting since she cannot afford to buy what she wants represents an example of innovation.