For example, being bullied by peers on a frequent basis is a type of strain that is expected to have a relatively strong relationship to delinquency. . This type of strain is likely to be experienced as highly noxious and is likely to generate anger and desires for revenge. As a result of their difficult temperament, aggressive individuals have difficulty maintaining stable relationships and employment. 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. Summary. We've received widespread press coverage since 2003, Your UKEssays purchase is secure and we're rated 4.4/5 on reviews.co.uk. These negative emotions, in turn, are said to create pressures for corrective action, with crime or delinquency being one possible response. A study by Brezina (2010) highlights the fact that strain may have both emotional and cognitive consequences of a criminogenic nature (see also Konty, 2005). After reading the literature, policy implications for General Strain Theory become obvious. Strain theory. For example, young people in poor inner-city communities experience high levels of family disruption, abuse and neglect, exposure to community violence, school problems, persistent poverty, unemployment, under-employment, and struggle to achieve goals related to money and status (Brezina & Agnew, 2013). Lin and Mieczkowski (2011) constructed a composite measure to index the overall standing of young people on various conditioning factors, including moral beliefs, delinquent peer associations, self-control, and self-esteem. Most empirical tests of GST have been conducted in the United States and are based on data from adolescent surveys. 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). The link was not copied. 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. These strains lead to negative emotions, such as frustration and anger. Under this broad definition, GST delineates three major types of strain. All produce negative emotional states/feelings. 3 What is the assumption of strain theories? This question would be answered yes by Robert Agnew and can be examined using his General Strain Theory which explores the causes strain, how to measure strain, the relationship between strain and crime, as well as policy implications based directly off his theory. General Strain theory in my opinion is parsimonious in its general explanation of why strain causes crime, but latent variables such as gender, age, race, neighborhood, and other factors make it complicated when it boils down to experimental testing. The second phase of the social structure defines how society is to go about achieving these goals, by placing regulations and creating laws (Merton 1938: 673). It is possible that these samples contained few individuals with a strong propensity to offend. The theory recognizes that strain does not automatically lead to offending behavior and that such behavior is only one possible response to strain. General strain theory (GST) is the latest and broadest version of strain theory (Agnew, 2006). Some empirical evidence regarding general strain theory shows a strong correlate between negative emotions (anger) caused by strain and criminal activity. Second, neighborhood-level strain exerted a significant effect on violence in communities characterized by a low level of social support. All strain theories acknowledge that only a minority of strained individuals turn to crime. Can't escape noxious stimuli. In addition, GST predicts that individuals who possess this trait will tend to provoke negative reactions from others, leading to elevated levels of strain. Finally, certain youth are predisposed to cope in a delinquent manner because they possess certain traits that are conducive to offending, such as being impulsive, easily upset, and quick to anger (Agnew et al., 2002). First, they argue that the gender gap in crime is related, in part, to the different types of strain that are experienced by males and females. 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). Over the years of its development, strain theorists have attempted to broaden the initial scope of this perspective. It increases the likelihood that residents will interact with others who angry, upset, and potentially hostile. This type of access increases the likelihood that such youth will specialize in money-oriented crimes as opposed to drug use or violence. They generally have less control over their lives, having difficulty removing themselves from adverse environments, and have fewer opportunities for legal coping, given poor schools and limited job opportunities. Why, for example, do some communities have especially high rates of crime and violence? It should be noted, however, that all three studies were based on samples of students in middle school. The theory states that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals (such as the American dream), though they lack the means.This leads to strain which may lead individuals to commit crimes, like selling drugs or becoming involved in prostitution as a means to . Other studies, however, fail to observe the predicted conditioning effects (e.g., Hoffmann & Miller, 1998; Mazerolle & Piquero, 1997; for an overview, see, Agnew, 2006). 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 Highlighting the subjective evaluation of fairness, Rebellon and colleagues (2012) observe that the perceived injustice of social relations is a potent predictor of delinquency (see also Scheuerman, 2013). 6 How does the strain theory explain crime? Our academic experts are ready and waiting to assist with any writing project you may have. Piquero and Sealock (2004) analyze data from a small sample of justice-involved youth and find that males and females generally experience the same amount of overall strain. Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. 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. Examples of interventions that may have potential in this area include parenting and anger-management programs (for overviews, see Agnew, 1995b, 2006). Numerous additional tests of GST have produced similar results, indicating a relationship between various strains and offending behavior (for an overview, see Agnew 2006). Previous empirical tests of general strain theory support this theory, but their shortcomings preclude the drawing of definitive conclusions. GST is primarily a social psychological theory, focusing on the relationship between the individual and his or her immediate social environment. Merton developed five modes of adaptation to cultural strain: Conformity, Innovation, Ritualism, Retreatism, and Rebellion. The emotion of anger plays a special role in GST because it is believed to be especially conducive to crime and violence. These negative emotions, in turn, are said to create pressures for corrective action, with crime or delinquency being one possible response. Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. Earlier versions of strain theory have been criticized for focusing on a narrow range of possible strains, for their inability to explain why only some strained individuals resort to crime or delinquency, and for limited empirical support. (2) Strain as the disjunction between just or fair outcomes and actual outcome. Further, the association between strain and future offending appears to be especially strong for individuals who possess an angry disposition. A general strain theory of terrorism. 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. General Strain Theory by definition is a logically sound theory, as it is not tautological, and can clearly be falsified. This particular configuration of culture (the culturally prescribed goal of monetary wealth) and social structure (inequality of opportunity) is said to generate strain. The American dream is a popular culturally defined goal, Merton argued, which through honest-dedicated work, anyone can achieve this dream of wealth. The Essay Writing ExpertsUK Essay Experts. 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 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. Crossref. Although this definition encompasses the types of strain highlighted by classic strain theorists, it also includes a wide array of stressors that were not considered in earlier versions of strain theory. In particular, strain appears to reduce social control and increase involvement with delinquent peers, thereby resulting in elevated rates of offending (see also Brezina, 1998). GST specifies conditions that are said to increase the likelihood of deviant coping, including a lack of coping resources, a lack of conventional social support, few opportunities for conventional coping, ample opportunities for criminal coping, the existence of low social control, and a strong predisposition for crime. Overview. This can lead to strain due to inequity, where an individual will feel that they are unequal to those of their peers and will subsequently increase the chances they engage in delinquency. As Agnew (2013) observes, the coping process is very complex: [The] examination of the coping process is difficult. What Are the Strengths and Weaknesses of Mertons Strain Theory in Understanding Crime paper focuses on the social strain theory. GST represents a revision and extension of prior strain theories, including the classic strain theories of Merton (1938), Cohen (1955), and Cloward and Ohlin (1960). In another early test of GST, Paternoster and Mazerolle (1994) used data from the National Youth Survey to examine the effect of strain on a measure of general delinquency. These negative emotions, in turn, are said to create pressures for corrective action, with crime or delinquency being one possible response. To cope with this frustration, status-frustrated boys tend to band together and rebel against middle-class expectations. Using longitudinal data on South Korean youth, the authors addressed limitations of previous tests of general strain theory (GST), focusing on the relationships among key strains, situational- and trait-based negative emotions, conditioning factors, and delinquency. Although the theory has been examined by many and enjoys empirical support, some limitations of previous studies need to be addr. The findings of the study suggest that the main direction of the casual relationship flows from strain to delinquency. Strain theory fails to explain white collar crime, the perpetrator of whom have many opportunities to achieve through legal and legitimate means. One weakness of Mertons theory of anomie/strain is that it does not provide a good explanation for economic crimes. Although the theory has been examined by many and enjoys empirical support, some limitations of previous studies need to be addressed. This anger and frustration is thought to be an important source of deviant motivation and is said to be a function of severe and persistent strains. According to GST, the experience of strain or stress tends to generate negative emotions such as anger, frustration, depression, and despair. Agnew's Theory state that "strains are shaped by various factors, including the nature, intensity, and duration of the strain, the emotions that the strain produces in the individual, the collection of coping mechanisms at an individual's disposal (Broidy 2001:10)." Young people in inner-city communities may also have a tendency to cope with strain in a delinquent manner, given both a lack of coping resources and limited options for legal coping. Another possibility is that males are more likely to react to strain with emotions that are conducive to offending, such as moral outrage. Further, as predicted by Broidy and Agnew (1997), most studies in this area conclude that the reaction to strain is gendered. GST has been partly successful in overcoming these limitations. Consequently, tests of GST that fail to distinguish between situation- and trait-based emotions could be problematic. Abstract. According to Agnew (2001) studies show that delinquency peaks when desires, goals, and the expectation of achieving the desires or goals are low, and delinquency is lowest when desires, goals and the expectation of accomplishing the goals are high(Agnew 2001:). Disadvantages. However, General Strain Theory fails to explain why some individuals who experience great amounts of strain fail to resort to illegitimate coping strategies. For example, in empirical tests, the experience of strain or goal-blockage did not prove to be a strong predictor of delinquency. The results of study were mixed, as this composite measure conditioned the impact of certain strains on delinquency but not others. General Strain Theory has a greater theoretical sophistication than its traditional counterpart, not only in terms of specifying different types of strain but, most importantly, in recognizing the relationship between the individual and society is more-complex than that suggested by writers like Merton. Further, the experience of anger tends to reduce ones tolerance for injury or insult, lowers inhibitions, energizes the individual to action, and creates desires for retaliation and revenge (Agnew, 1992). Further, during the period of adolescence, young people experience a number of biological and social changes that are believed to reduce their levels of social control (Agnew & Brezina, 2015). Furthering Mertons ideas in 1994, Messer and Rosenfeld expanded on idea of the American Dream as an origin of criminality. Anger and depression are often are the results of failing to achieve goals, such as a student struggling to fit in with his peers or with the loss of a positively valued stimuli such as a friend or family member. Encouraging K-12 schools to teach children that the accumulation of wealth is not what is success necessary is could be another implication based off of this theory, by doing this it could encourage children to value family, job stability, and good health rather than simply becoming wealthy. Over the long run, however, delinquent responses to strain are likely to exacerbate problems with parents, teachers, and conventional peers. In contrast, most studies that have examined conditioning factors are based on general population samples. Although the theory has been examined by many and enjoys empirical support, some limitations of previous studies need to be addressed. Theoretically, strain should generate negative emotions that arise in direct response to adverse events or situations. To illustrate, these conditions are often faced by adolescents, which may help to explain why adolescents exhibit high rates of offending relative to other age groups in the population (Agnew & Brezina, 2015). For example, aggressive children often frustrate their parents and are at risk of emotional and physical abuse, especially when raised by unskilled parents. Continuing Relevance. Cohen theorized that this inability to live up to middle-class expectations creates status frustration. 8 What are the strengths and weaknesses of Mertons strain theory? These include strains that are high in magnitude (severe, frequent, of long duration, or involving matters of high importance to the individual), are seen as unjust and associated with low social control, and they can be readily resolved through crime. (Broidy 2001:10), Lisa Broidy, from the University of New Mexico, examined cross sectional data of 896 undergraduate students from seven different disciplines, who participated in self report surveys. These latter types of goal-blockage, in turn, are expected to have a stronger association with the experience of disappointment and dissatisfaction. The existence of unpleasant stimuli can lead to delinquent behavior through the following avenue: Agnew (1992) states that a person may seek an escape from the negative stimuli, by trying to dispose of the stimuli. Limitations to the large strain theory. These broad categories encompass literally hundreds of potential strains. 9 Why was the strain theory important in the 1940s? The initial statement of GST (Agnew, 1992), which constituted a more fully developed version of the revised theory, was published several years later under the title, Foundation for a General Strain Theory of Delinquency. This initial statement was followed by several revisions and extensions of GST, including articles that specified gender differences in response to strain (Broidy & Agnew, 1997), the macro-level implications of GST (Agnew, 1999), the types of strain that are most relevant to crime (Agnew, 2001), and that further specified the conditions under which strain will have a greater or lesser effect on crime (Agnew, 2013). Whether or not a given event or circumstance is subjectively defined as adverse is dependent on the meaning the individual attaches to it (Polizzi, 2011). This paper defines the term "white-collar crime" and gives an overview of strain theory. To fully understand GST, it is helpful to review the multiple publications that span the development and growth of the theory. These and other issues provide opportunities for further theoretical development and are likely to stimulate additional research on GST. These findings support previous theoretical arguments that linked angry arousal to cognitive processes that promote aggression. 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. The trait of aggressiveness may result, in part, from chronic strains experienced in childhood, such as harsh or erratic parental discipline. Durkheim argued that during rapid changes that take place in society, norms will breakdown. Further, familiarity with these works will help to ensure that researchers have knowledge of the latest developments in GST. Crime is one possible response. 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