Question

An employee at a welfare office is so concerned with paperwork that he does not have time to administer to the needs of the poor, hungry, and homeless individuals who seek assistance. According to Merton’s theory, this welfare worker would be a (an):

Answer 1

Answer: An innovator

Explanation: accordito Merton's, an innovator is somebody agrees to societial or culture goals but uses any other means of necessary of his own accord to acheive the goals without using the normal or approved way. It is a deviant behavior because the individual uses means that is not in line with the approved or legitimate means(ways).

Answer 2

Answer: According to Merton’s theory, this welfare worker would be a RITUALIST.

Explanation: Robert King Merton born 1910 developed the works of other sociologist in 1938 which is the strain theory which states that social structures within society may pressure citizens to commit crime.

Robert King noted that when individuals are faced with strain, there are five ways in which they respond. They are; Conformity; Innovation; Ritualism; Retreatism; Rebellion.

He explained RITUALISM to be using the same socially approved means to achieve less elusive goals.