Strain theory, in sociology, proposal that
pressure derived from social factors, such as lack of income or lack of quality education, drives individuals to commit crime
. The ideas underlying strain theory were first advanced in the 1930s by American sociologist Robert K.
Why was strain theory created?
The theory states that crimes result from a high number of illegitimate opportunities and not from a lack of legitimate ones. The theory was created from Merton’s strain theory
to help address juvenile delinquency
.
What are the 3 main sources of strain?
- failure to achieve a goal,
- the existence of harmful impulses,
- and the removal of positive impulses.
What are the factors influencing the effect of strain theory on delinquency?
These studies include measures of conditioning factors of the strain-delinquency relationship such as
self control, self-esteem, self- efficacy, delinquent peers, family communication, moral beliefs, religiosity, and social support
(Agnew and White 1992; Aseltine et al.
Why do people engage crime in strain theory?
Why do people engage in crime according to strain theory? …
They may engage in crime to reduce or escape from the strain they are experiencing
. For example, they may engage in violence to end harassment from others, they may steal to reduce financial problems, or they may run away from home to escape abusive parents.
What crimes does general strain theory explain?
domestic abuse, sexual assault, and drug use
as those crimes are not means to achieve an economic goal. Agnew’s revision of strain theory offers an explanation of the previously listed crimes as means of coping, albeit illegitimately, for the failure to achieve one’s goal.
What is general strain theory?
General strain theory (GST) provides
a unique explanation of crime and delinquency
. 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.
Why is general strain theory important?
Overview. General strain theory (GST) states that
strains increase the likelihood of crime
, particularly strains that are high in magnitude, are seen as unjust, are associated with low social control, and create some pressure or incentive for criminal coping. … Crime is one possible response.
What are the types of strain theory?
This section considers four theories that are commonly classified as “strain theories.” These theories include anomie theory (Merton, 1938), institutional anomie theory (Messner and Rosenfeld, 1994),
general strain theory
(Agnew, 1985 and 1992), and relative deprivation theory (Crosby, 1976; Davis, 1959; Gurr, 1970; …
What is the difference between strain theory and anomie theory?
44) conceives of anomie as a social condition that promotes “the withdrawal of allegiance from social norms and high
rates of deviance
.” Thus, Messner reformulates anomie theory to argue that the pressure exerted by the condition of anomie explains the distribution of deviance across society, while the strain theory of …
Is strain theory still relevant?
The Continuing Relevance of Strain Theory
Merton’s strain theory is an
important contribution to the study of crime and deviance
– in the 1940s it helped to explain why crime continued to exist in countries, such as America, which were experiencing increasing economic growth and wealth.
How does labeling theory explain crime?
According to labeling theory,
official efforts to control crime often have the effect of increasing crime
. Individuals who are arrested, prosecuted, and punished are labeled as criminals. Others then view and treat these people as criminals, and this increases the likelihood of subsequent crime for several reasons.
How does general strain theory explain homicide?
General strain theory suggests that
men and women who kill an intimate partner experience different types of strain and emotions
, and that homicide occurs in response to these experiences.
What is rebellion in strain theory?
Causes and Effects of Rebellion. … The strain theory states that
people may deviate or rebel if there is an inconsistency between culturally defined goals and the accessible means to obtain those goals
. This discrepancy can cause strain that can lead to the crime, violence, and murder that are the effects of rebellion.
What are the four categories of strain reactions?
Agnew described 4 characteristics of strains that are most likely to lead to crime: 1) strains are seen as unjust, 2) strains are seen as high in magnitude, 3) strains are associated with low social control, and 4) strains create some pressure or incentive to engage in criminal coping.
What is classical strain theory?
Classical strain theory predicts that
deviance is more likely to occur if one’s culturally determined aspirations for monetary success
and the opportunity to achieve that success are not congruent.
