We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Since its inception, strain theory has attempted to explore the dynamic evoked between the process of goal identification and the process of goal acquisition as this relates to subsequent criminal behavior. One of the major criticisms is the fact that the strain theory is based on weak empirical support. They do so by creating their own alternative status system, which emphasizes goals they can readily achieve, such as toughness and fighting prowess. Numerous studies have examined gender differences in the experience of strain and its emotional and behavioral consequences (e.g., Baron, 2007; Cheung & Cheung, 2010; De Coster & Zito, 2010; Francis, 2014; Hay, 2003; Hoffmann & Su, 1997; Jang, 2007; Jennings, Piquero, Gover, & Prez, 2009; Kaufman, 2009; Mazerolle, 1998; Morash & Moon, 2007; Piquero et al., 2010; Piquero & Sealock, 2004). Since its inception, the theory has received a considerable amount of attention from researchers, has enjoyed a fair amount of empirical support, and has been credited with helping to revitalize the strain theory tradition. Merton suggests that there are two important elements of social structure. A majority of life circumstances can lead individuals to create a crime from their negative emotions, such as frustration and anger. A particular adverse event may cause intense distress for some individuals but not others, depending on their beliefs, values, life situations, and the techniques at their disposal for minimizing the emotional or cognitive significance of the event (see Leban, Cardwell, Copes, & Brezina, 2016). Readers may also be interested in a book chapter titled, Controlling Delinquency: Recommendations from General Strain Theory (Agnew, 1995b), which provides an in-depth discussion of the policy implications of GST. In order for a person like me, who is eternally critical, to become an advocate of a theory like such, I would like to see more comprehensive studies done. Why was the strain theory important in the 1940s? Too deterministic- a lot of working class people experience crime but not all deviate. Agnew cites that if in fact the previous theories were to be true, it would be expected that crime would occur when there would be there a strong desire for monetary success and a low expectation of fulfilling that desire (Agnew 1985). The strain theories of Merton, Cohen, and Cloward and Ohlin were influential throughout much of the 20th century and helped to inspire antipoverty efforts. Although Broidy (2001) suggests that the non random sample is not ideal, being neither representative of all college students nor representative to the population as a whole is useful for the purpose of this test. Agnew (1992) argues that the key emotion associated with General Strain theory is anger. Further, as predicted by Broidy and Agnew (1997), most studies in this area conclude that the reaction to strain is gendered. Whereas Broidy and Agnew (1997) predicted that depression mitigates the criminogenic effect of anger, thereby suppressing female delinquency, DeCoster and Zito (2010) find no such mitigating effect. This study done by Broidy appears to be consistent with general strain theory such that, anger induced from strain is likely to lead to illegitimate coping strategies. Crime may be used to reduce or escape from strain, seek revenge against the source of strain or related targets, or alleviate negative emotions. The theory explains that it is the social structures that influence a person to commit a crime. But males are more likely to experience those particular types of strain that are strongly related to crime and delinquency, such as harsh parental discipline, negative school experiences, criminal victimization, and homelessness. Although crime and delinquency may occur in response to other negative emotions, anger is somewhat unique in that it tends to occur when strain is blamed on others. In comparison to their female counterparts, angry and depressed males are more likely to engage in delinquency because the outward expression of anger and depression is consistent with masculinity norms. Typically, strained individuals pursue legal coping strategies, such as filing a complaint, turning to a friend for emotional support, or hoping for a better future. Emile Durkheim developed the first modern strain theory of crime and deviance, but Mertons classic strain theory and its offshoots came to dominate criminology during the middle part of the 20th century. Overall, empirical tests of GST are generally supportive of the theorys core propositions. According to GST, however, the primary reason these strains are related to crime and delinquency is because they increase the likelihood that individuals will experience negative emotions, such as anger, resentment, anxiety, and depression. Cloward and Ohlin (1960) were also interested in the subcultural adaptions of juvenile gangs. A longitudinal test of the revised theory was also published (Agnew, 1989). Durkheims theory was based upon the idea that the lack of rules and clarity resulted in psychological status of worthlessness, frustration, lack of purpose, and despair. In contrast to control and learning theories, GST focuses explicitly on negative treatment by others and is the only major theory of crime and delinquency to highlight the role of negative emotions in the etiology of offending. Disadvantages. For this reason, unfulfilled aspirations may not be a key source of strain or frustration. When legitimate coping strategies were either ineffective or unavailable, an individual was likely to adopt illegitimate coping strategies. This type of strain is likely to be experienced as highly noxious and is likely to generate anger and desires for revenge. Summary. Adolescents often lack conventional coping skills and resources, such as money, power, and social skills. So females may react to strain with a complex combination of emotions that, together, are less conducive to offending. In other neighborhoods, strained youth specialize in violent behavior or in money-oriented crimes. Assumptions of strain theory This theory is founded on the following assumptions: Planar Rings are utilized in all of the ring structures. In particular, criminal coping is said to be most likely when highly criminogenic strains are experienced by individuals who have a strong overall propensity to offend and who are in circumstances or situations in which the opportunities for legal coping are limited (Agnew, 2013). First, previous studies have not incorporated all major types of strain in their models; hence, the effects of these strains on delinquency are unclear. Why, for example, do some communities have especially high rates of crime and violence? What are weaknesses of the strain theory? [7] Agnew's three categories of strain [ edit] According to social disorganization theories, these communities have the lost the ability to control their members due, in part, to the inadequate supervision of young people (e.g., Sampson, Raudenbush, & Earls, 1997). General strain theory (GST) is the latest and broadest version of strain theory (Agnew, 2006). These strains may involve one-time events, are not likely to be blamed on others, are not easily resolved by engaging in crime, and thus generate little pressure for criminal coping. Too much emphasis is placed on stats- overrepresentation of the lower classes. This particular configuration of culture (the culturally prescribed goal of monetary wealth) and social structure (inequality of opportunity) is said to generate strain. Criminology, 30, 47-88. It analyses white-collar crime as well as its policing in more detail by using strain theory and the. After all, aspirations typically involve ideal goals or outcomes and are somewhat utopian in character. Theoretical Criminology, 14, 131-153. Moreover, in urban communities with high rates of male joblessness, the effect of individual-level stress on delinquency was magnified. A precursor to GST was published by Agnew (1985) under the title, A Revised Strain Theory of Delinquency, in which strain was conceptualized as the blockage of pain-avoidance behavior. To address this possible association, five hypotheses were tested to examine if different types of strain and stress exposure influence delinquent coping and if these relationships are conditioned by race Which of the following is a weakness of Mertons anomie theory? Under this broad definition, GST delineates three major types of strain. GST recognizes that the experience of goal blockage can also result from the failure to achieve expected outcomes (e.g., the failure to receive an expected income) as well as the failure to achieve fair and just outcomes (e.g., the failure to receive a deserved income). In particular, they often lack coping resources that are available to those in wealthier communities, such as money, power, and conventional social support. Variation in crime across macro-level social units is typically explained in terms of deviant subcultures or breakdowns in social control. The first, conformity, Merton suggests that people who take this path subscribe to cultural goals and go about achieving these goals by using societys institutionalized means. The second path, innovation, suggests that when a person finds that an obstacle inhibits the ability to achieve the cultural goals, the person will not use institutionalized means; rather, they will employ other means. Until then I believe that General Strain Theory is incomplete but if incorporated with other theories it can be helpful in explaining some delinquency. Second, certain data suggest that the response to strain is gendered, with males being more likely to cope with strain in a criminal or delinquent manner. At the same time, adolescents frequently encounter opportunities for delinquent coping, such as exposure to delinquent peers. Under the terms of the licence agreement, an individual user may print out a single article for personal use (for details see Privacy Policy and Legal Notice). According to some studies, delinquent peer associations, deviant beliefs, low self-control, and other factors increase the likelihood that strain will lead to deviant outcomes (e.g., Agnew & White, 1992; Keith, 2014; Mazerolle & Maahs, 2000). (Sub)cultural theories (Cohen 1955;Ogbu 1978;Willis 1977), on. Several findings from this study are noteworthy. It has been suggested that, in response to strain, females are more likely to blame themselves or worry about possible harm to interpersonal relationships. In addition to subcultural orientations and breakdowns in social control, GST asserts that high-crime communities tend to suffer from a relatively high proportion and angry and frustrated residents (Agnew, 1999). According to Bernard (1990), angry/frustrated individuals often have difficulty trusting others, attribute hostile motives to strangers, and view aggression as appropriate or justifiable in many different circumstances (see also Agnew, 2006). Agnew R. (2010). When individuals accept the goal of monetary success but lack the legal means to attain it, they may lose faith in the value of hard work or playing by the rules [see Messner & Rosenfeld, 1994].) Limitations to the large strain theory. It is important to develop a more complete understanding of the relationship between strain and crime because such research may guide crime-control efforts. Crime and deviance is not always motivated by a desire for monetary gain. Study for free with our range of university lectures! Agnews strain theory is focused on the individual level and their immediate social environment (Agnew 1992:48). Clearly, additional research on this issue is needed. Also, while early tests of GST typically examined the relationship between strain and general delinquency, the theory has since been applied to a variety of specific deviant behaviors. Agnew (1992): General Strain Theory. Strain theory. Further, certain data indicate that adolescents may resort to delinquency because it allows them to alleviate the negative emotional consequences of strain, at least in the short run (Brezina, 1996, 2000; Novacek, Raskin, & Hogan, 1991). They may also reflect a need for greater theoretical specification. Free resources to assist you with your university studies! Durkheim argued that during rapid changes that take place in society, norms will breakdown. Y. M. Cheng, Y. M. Cheng. Mertons explanation of crime emphasized the utilitarian, goal-oriented nature of deviant adaptations. GST argues that strain occurs when others (1) prevent or threaten to prevent you from achieving positively valued goals, (2) remove or threaten to remove positively valued stimuli that you possess, or (3) present or threaten to present you with . In addition, Agnew (2006, 2013) recommends that future studies make an effort to measure the overall standing of individuals on dimensions related to deviant coping, including overall availability of coping resources, total opportunities for legal coping, and general disposition to crime. Strain may lead to other negative emotions, foster beliefs favorable to crime, reduce social control, and increase attraction to delinquent peers. The fourth, is the polar opposite of the path of conformity such that a person who is retreatist will reject cultural goals and its institutionalized means, people that take this path are people who essentially are not part of society (Merton 1938: 674). This type of strain involves the loss of something valued and encompasses a wide range of undesirable events or experiences, such as the theft of valued property, the loss of a romantic relationship, or the withdrawal of parental love. In addition to the generation of anger, strain is likely to have other consequences of a criminogenic nature. It may also foster beliefs favorable to crime (e.g., the belief that crime is justified), increase the appeal of delinquent peer groups (such groups may be seen as a solution to strain), and contribute to certain traits that are conducive to crime, such as negative emotionality and low self-control (Agnew, 2006; Agnew, Brezina, Wright, & Cullen, 2002). The present research, using a sample of 294 university students, attempted to address these limitations. They also find support for the interpersonal friction argument, noting that, in such schools, students in general (not just angry students) have an elevated risk of becoming involved in fights. The emotion of anger plays a special role in GST because it is believed to be especially conducive to crime and violence. Agnew (1992), however, argues that other types of goal blockage are important and may have a stronger relationship to crime and delinquency. Agnew (1992) identifies three major sources of strain, being, the prevention or blockage of achieving positively valued goals, the removal of positively valued stimuli, and the threat or presentation of negatively valued stimuli. 10 Why do people turn to crime in the strain theory? Aggressive children may also frustrate their peers and teachers, leading to social rejection. (Note: empirical tests of GST often measure strain in terms of stressful life events, even though many such events would not be expected to have a strong relationship to offending.). 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