Strain Theories of Criminal Behaviour Essay

General strain theory was first developed in 1992 by sociologist Robert Agnew. The theory states that criminality stems from a combination of being placed in situations which cause strain and the negative emotions which stem from it. Agnew outlines four categories of strain-inducing situations; the addition of negative stimuli, the removal of positive stimuli, disjunction between expectations and reality, and failure to achieve goals (Agnew et. al, 2001). The impact of these situations is then largely affected by the magnitude, recency and duration of the situation, as well as how many negative situations are occurring in the individual’s life at the same time (clustering). Ultimately, these situations lead to negative emotions, such as anger, frustration, depression or disappointment. These negative emotions, when combined with ineffective coping mechanisms, prompt the individual to turn to criminality. This definition gains specificity when looking at white collar crime, defining economic blockage in particular as the leading cause of white collar crime (Simpson et. al, 2009). The previous four categories transform when looking at white collar crime, shifting the focus towards the individuals economic and financial issues and

This article’s goal was to test the applicability of Agnew’s general strain theory to other explanations regarding whether or not physical victimization while incarcerated increased the risk of negative reentry from inmates previously incarcerated, particularly criminal offenders and substance abusers. Two studies that have been made have used the general strain theory as a way to approach and examine the effects of different types of victimization related to substance abuse. The first study that was made used data retrieved from the National Youth Survey. This data was found to have support for GST and had recorded that physical abuse in early

The strain theory, developed by Robert K. Merton in 1957 is not only a criminology theory but it is a sociology theory as well stating that individuals do indulge in crimes because the society exerts pressure and puts a lot of strain on them while they are on the process of achieving socially acceptable goals. A good example of this socially acceptable goal is the American Dream whereas examples of crimes committed under strain theory include

Since time immemorial, society has demonised prostitution as deviant and immoral act that ought not to be condoned. For that matter, laws have been created to put the offenders to trial if found indulging in this act. Prostitution is just like any other crime because, society have reservation to it based on the effects it has on the society moral dignity and values. Similarly, laws exist that prohibit its practice and this justifies the argument of it being a crime like any other. The rational choice theory explains why people would engage in crime as well as prostitution. The self-interest and decision to commit crime results after assessing and weighing potential risks such as getting caught

Strain theory refers to when people turn to crime and deviancy when they feel unable to achieve socially approved goals through legitimate means. (Agnew, 1992).

Strain theories, as we noted, study the question of why some people violate norms—for example, by committing crimes. Social control theorists are interested in learning why people conform to norms. Control theorists take it for granted that drugs can tempt even the youngest schoolchildren; that truancy can lure otherwise good children onto a path of academic failure and lifetime unemployment; that petty fighting, petty theft, and recreational drinking are attractive features of adolescence. They ask why people conform in the face of so much temptation and peer pressure. The answer, according to social control theory, is that juveniles and adults conform to the law in response to certain controlling forces in their lives. They become criminals

The Strain Theory is when society puts pressure on to another individual to commit a crime in order to achieve their goals (Merton, 1957). Example; when young people feel pressure to own the latest phones or clothes were their pressure is form their peers this can result in criminal activity in order to relieve the strain. Both theories explain crime from a social point of view (The Social Learning Theory – shows how individuals can be influenced by those around them). In this way individuals, can commit crimes due to observing their peers also committing

Agnew’s General Strain Theory in 2006 restated the six central propositions of GST. Those are first, that strains refer to events and conditions disliked by individuals. Secondly, strains increase the likelihood of particular crimes primarily through the impact on a range of negative emotional states. Third, those strains most likely to cause crime are perceived as high in magnitude, seen as unjust, associated with low self control and create some pressure or incentive to engage in criminal coping. Fourth, the likelihood that an individual will react to strains with criminal behavior depends on a range of factors influencing the individual’s ability to engage in legal coping, costs of crime and disposition of crime. Fifth, patterns of offending

The Strain Theory asserts that people commit deviant acts when the strain of society becomes too much for the person to handle. Often their deviance is due to their feelings of anomie, meaningless, due to not understanding how the social norms affect them. This is usually because the norms are are confusing or weak. There is a social consensus in society about socially approved achievements and goals. This consensus tells what one should strive for in order to achieve according to society.

The book defines anomie as social instability resulting from a breakdown of standards and values and that it “occurs when there is an acute disjunction between the cultural norms and goals and the socially structured capacities of members of the group to act in accord with them.” Durkheim also defined anomie as “normlessness”. Merton came up with this theory after having grown up in America and having grown accustom to the society. The ‘American Dream’ which inspired this theory, encourages people to pursue a goal of success which is then measured by how much wealth and other material possessions we can accumulate. People are expected to pursue this goal through legitimate means such as education and work.

In order to give his views on social order and disorder, Durkheim stated that there are several possible pathologies that could lead to a breakdown of social integration and disintegration of the society. The two most important ones are anomie and forced division of labor; lesser ones include the lack of coordination and suicide. By anomie Durkheim means a state when too rapid population growth reduces the amount of interaction between various groups, which in turn leads to a breakdown of understanding norms, values, and so on. Since people in society where in an anomic state of mind suicide became a common factor in society. “Indeed, Le Suicide

In discussion of anomie based on Durkheim’s theory I will refer to two of his common works, The Division of Labor in Society (1893/1984) and Suicide (1897/1951). Durkheim discussed anomie in terms of an abnormal form of the division of labor (Durkheim, 1984). He maintained that the division of labor is, or at least will become, the primary source of social solidarity in modern societies. Durkheim (1984) advances his theory of social transition where he argues that social order is maintained through social integration and regulations in a social equilibrium. An anomic division of labor exists where relationships between different organs of a society (or different occupational specializations) lack adequate regulation (Durkheim,

Strain theory is an occurrence within society where pressure to the juvenile to commit crimes, the juvenile is compelled remains in a specific settings like family and school. Therefore if said juvenile is experiencing pain or aversive it is hard for them to escape the situation. So to alleviate this discomfort they turn to crime, this mainly seen within the subculture of gangs (Agnew, 2012).

In modern day societies we are surrounded by several social phenomena that are specified for the whole society. Some problems in society are caused by different social phenomena that can hinder individuals or the society that they live in as whole. Chapter 6 of Researching Theories of Crime and Deviance indicated, “ anomie is a concept associated with Emile Durkheim and Robert K. Merton. Durkheim introduced the term in 1893” (Williams III, Frank, McShane, Marilyn, Criminological Theory 7th edition, pg 65). He described anomie as normlessness, which he viewed the general rules of society had broken down and people do not know what to expect from each other. Basically he explained that there was instability in society, which leads to a lack of a person’s purpose.

Strain theory is where certain stressors or strains that occurs in an individual's life can increase the likelihood of a crime. These strains can lead to negative emotions or thoughts such as anger or frustration. Negative emotions can create a criminal response for crime to occur. When a criminal act occurs it is usually to escape the train or stressor, or perhaps to avenge the source that is causing the strain or stressor. An example of this is by vividly imagining an individual who is suffering from chronic unemployment who is unable to get a job, so this individual begins to start selling illicit drugs or robbing other individuals just to make currency to sustain him or herself. Although the individual may seek revenge against the person who lead to them being unemployed. “The major versions of strain theory describe 1) the particular strains most likely to lead to crime, 2) why strains increase crime, and 3) the factors that lead a person to or dissuade a person from responding to strains with crime.”