Merton identified five ways in which individuals may respond to this strain or frustration: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.

Conformity occurs when individuals accept the goals of society and the means of achieving them.

Innovation occurs when individuals accept the goals of society but not the means of achieving them, and instead turn to illegal or illegitimate means to achieve their goals.

Ritualism occurs when individuals reject the goals of society but continue to follow the prescribed means of achieving them.

Retreatism occurs when individuals reject both the goals and the means of achieving them, and instead turn to a life of withdrawal or escape.

Rebellion occurs when individuals reject both the goals and the means of achieving them and work to transform the existing social structure.

Merton's strain theory has been influential in the field of sociology and has been widely applied to the study of deviance and crime.