R.K. Merton's strain theory explains deviance as a result of a disconnect between culturally defined goals and the institutionalized means available to achieve them. He identified five modes of adaptation based on whether individuals accept or reject these goals and means.

Merton's Modes of Adaptation Explained

The modes are:

• Conformity: Accepts both cultural goals and institutional norms.
• Innovation: Accepts cultural goals but rejects institutional norms.
• Ritualism: Rejects cultural goals but accepts institutional norms.
• Retreatism: Rejects both cultural goals and institutional norms.
• Rebellion: Rejects both cultural goals and norms, seeking to establish new ones.

Identifying Retreatism

The question describes a situation where an individual adopts neither the culturally approved goals nor the institutional norms. According to Merton's typology:

• Rejection of culturally approved goals = -Goals
• Rejection of institutional norms = -Norms

The mode corresponding to -Goals and -Norms is Retreatism. This adaptation involves dropping out or withdrawing from society, often seen in cases of chronic unemployment or addiction.

Therefore, when neither the goals nor the norms are adopted, it is identified as Retreatism.