Final answer:
Merton's anomie theory posits that innovators accept societal goals but use deviant methods to achieve them when they lack socially acceptable means.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Merton's anomie theory, innovators are individuals who accept society's goals but lack the socially acceptable means to achieve them. As a response, they may resort to unorthodox or deviant methods to attain their objectives. For instance, an entrepreneur with the goal of financial success may turn to embezzlement for start-up funds when legitimate opportunities for capital are inaccessible. This behavior exemplifies the innovation adaptation in Merton's strain theory, where a discrepancy between culturally endorsed goals and accessible, institutionalized means can lead to deviations from socially accepted behaviors.