Table 1.

The adaptive categories available to youth in relation to dominant cultural success goals and legitimate institutional means. (Examples from Japan marked with an asterisk).

Adaptive category	Relationship to dominant goals and means
Conformists	Conform to goals and are able to access legitimate means; can hope to enjoy culturally expected rewards. *For example, middle-class “salarymen” at large corporations.
Innovators	Reach toward dominant goals through innovative, less legitimate means; may enjoy culturally expected rewards. *Absent from conformist societies where goals and means are intertwined.
Ritualists	Conform to legitimate means but have little hope for culturally expected rewards. *The default adaptation in conformist societies. For example, those among non-standard workers (freeters) who hold middle-class expectations.
Retreatists	Disillusioned with both dominant goals and means; disengage from mainstream society in various ways; receive no rewards; burdened by stigma. *For example socially withdrawn hikikomori and workless “NEETs.”
(Quiet) mavericks	Create original goals as well as means; engage with society on their own terms. The main group driving social change. *Includes rebellion but also “quieter” and tactful forms of resistance, especially in conformist societies. For example (social) entrepreneurs, activists.