Merton's Deviance Typology: Ritualism

Robert K. Merton's strain theory explains deviance as a result of the tension between culturally defined goals and the institutionalized means available to achieve them. Merton identified five modes of adaptation:

• Conformity: Accepts goals and means.
• Innovation: Accepts goals, rejects means.
• Ritualism: Rejects goals, accepts means.
• Retreatism: Rejects goals and means.
• Rebellion: Rejects goals and means, seeks to replace them.

Identifying Ritualism Path for Drug Addicts

According to the framework presented, drug addicts are categorized under the Ritualism path.

Ritualism involves individuals who abandon or drastically lower their aspirations regarding societal goals (like career success or wealth) but continue to adhere to the established rules and norms (the means) of the society. They follow the routines and procedures without pursuing the conventional aspirations associated with them.

Therefore, based on this classification, drug addicts are seen as individuals who have disengaged from pursuing societal goals but maintain adherence to the means, fitting the definition of Ritualism within Merton's typology as presented.