Question 49

Goal displacement describes a person who accepts society’s goals but adopts alternative, but disapproved, means of achieving them.

This concept refers to situations where individuals still aim for societal goals, such as success or wealth, but choose unconventional or socially unacceptable methods to reach those goals instead of the approved pathways.

A) Division of labor

Division of labor refers to the assignment of different parts of a manufacturing process or task to different people, which is not relevant to an individual's acceptance of societal goals and their choice of means. Therefore, this option does not relate to the behavior described in the question.

B) Goal displacement

Goal displacement accurately describes a scenario where an individual accepts societal goals but chooses alternative means to achieve them. This reflects a deviation from the normative methods society endorses, indicating a shift in how one may pursue recognized objectives.

C) Hierarchy

Hierarchy refers to the arrangement of individuals within a structure based on levels of power or authority. This concept does not pertain to how individuals achieve societal goals and does not explain the behavior of adopting disapproved means.

D) Interchangeability

Interchangeability suggests that roles or functions can be substituted for one another, which does not connect to an individual's acceptance of societal goals while utilizing alternative means. This option fails to address the core behavior described in the question.

Conclusion

Goal displacement is the only option that accurately encapsulates the behavior of individuals who accept societal goals but utilize disapproved methods to achieve them. The other options either pertain to structural elements unrelated to individual behavior or fail to address the specifics of the question, confirming that B is the definitive correct answer.