Anomie and early strain theory argue that drug dealers and sellers adapt to society's means to achieve goals via which adaptation?

• A. Innovation
• B. Conformity
• C. Ritualism
• D. Retreatism

Answer: (B)

Anomie and early strain theory examine how people respond when culturally valued goals (like financial success) can’t be fully achieved through legitimate avenues. Drug dealers illustrate innovation: they share the goal of wealth but reject conventional, legal means and instead use illegal methods to reach it. This differs from conformity, which would pursue the same goals through accepted channels; ritualism, retreatism, or rebellion involve other patterns of goals and means. So the path most characteristic of how these sellers cope is finding new, illegitimate ways to achieve the culturally valued end.