Which adaptation involves rejecting societal goals while adhering to approved means?

The adaptation that involves rejecting societal goals while adhering to approved means is ritualism. In this context, ritualists continue to follow the accepted behaviors and procedures of society, but they do so without a commitment to the larger societal goals. They have typically given up on achieving the overarching success that their society values, such as wealth or status, but still participate in the established routines and norms.

Ritualists may engage in their work or community activities in a perfunctory manner, maintaining the outward rituals expected of them while no longer believing in or striving for the success those activities are supposed to bring. This adaptation illustrates a kind of resignation to the system, where the individual adheres to the means without the motivation to pursue the goals that those means are traditionally intended to achieve. This contrasts with other adaptations, such as conformity, which involves both adherence to means and acceptance of societal goals, or innovation, which seeks new ways to reach those goals. Rebels would reject both the goals and the means entirely, seeking to create or promote an entirely different set of values.