In the Five Modes of Adaptation, who is defined as someone who does their best within the means available, despite having stopped striving for societal success?

The individual described in the question is a ritualist, known in the context of Robert K. Merton's modes of individual adaptation to social strain. A ritualist is someone who has abandoned the original goals of success defined by society but continues to abide by the accepted means for achieving those goals, adhering strictly to the societal rules and norms. They may engage in practices and routines without the hope of achieving the societal objectives they once aspired to, often engaging in their tasks with a sense of resignation.

Ritualists represent a form of adaptation where the emphasis is on conformity to norms rather than the pursuit of success, indicating a significant shift in motivation. They continue to participate in societal structures but do so for the sake of maintaining order rather than achieving traditional success. This mindset illustrates a coping mechanism in response to strain, where the individual finds comfort in the practice of rituals, even when they no longer hold any belief in the ultimate achievement of societal goals.

In contrast, the other modes depict different attitudes toward societal goals, such as innovators who seek to achieve success through unconventional means, conformists who adhere to both societal goals and means, and rebels who reject the established goals and means in favor of new ones. Each mode reflects varied responses to social expectations