Strain theory explains deviant behavior as an inevitable outcome of the distress individuals experience when they’re deprived of ways to achieve culturally valued goals . For example, Western society places value on economic success, even though wealth is accessible to just a small percentage of people.
What is an example of strain theory?
General strain theory (GST) is a sociology and criminology theory developed in 1992 by Robert Agnew. ... Examples of General Strain Theory are people who use illegal drugs to make themselves feel better , or a student assaulting his peers to end the harassment they caused.
What is cultural strain?
“Strain” refers to the discrepancies between culturally defined goals and the institutionalized means available to achieve these goals . Merton was proposing a typology of deviance based upon two criteria: (1) a person’s motivations or her adherence to cultural goals; (2) a person’s belief in how to attain his goals.
What is strain theory in psychology?
Strain theories state that certain strains or stressors increase the likelihood of crime . These strains lead to negative emotions, such as frustration and anger. These emotions create pressure for corrective action, and crime is one possible response.
What theory is like strain theory?
Differential association theory was Sutherland’s major sociological contribution to criminology; similar in importance to strain theory and social control theory. These theories all explain deviance in terms of the individual’s social relationships.
What are the 5 reactions to strain?
Merton noted that the deviant response to strain was one of five responses he observed in society. He referred to such deviance as “innovation” while identifying the other responses to strain as conformity, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion .
What is an example of retreatism?
A homeless person is most definitely an example of retreatism if the person is lacking the institutional means to achieve the goal of living in a home and getting a job to support him or herself and doesn’t feel inclined to try and reach this goal via other means such as stealing.
What causes strain theory?
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.
What is the difference between anomie and strain 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 ...
What is classic 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.
How many strain theories are there?
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 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.
Is the strain theory a psychological theory?
This paper argues that social-psychological strain theory is a broad theory with a fundamental role to play in explaining crime and delinquency because it deals with both predisposition to delinquency and situational factors that lead predisposed individuals to engage in specific delinquent acts.
What is an example of labeling theory?
Labeling theory helps to explain why a behavior is considered negatively deviant to some people, groups, and cultures but positively deviant to others. For example, think about fictional vigilantes, like Robin Hood and Batman . Batman is labeled in different ways, depending on the public’s reaction to his escapades.
What is the difference between strain theory and control theory?
Unlike strain and social learning theorists, control theorists take crime for granted . ... So while strain and social learning theory focus on those factors that push or lead the individual into crime, control theory focuses on the factors that restrain the individual from engaging in crime.
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.
