An examination of robert agnews general 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. Merton is best known for coining the phrases role model and selffulfilling prophecy which has become common terms in american culture. Strain theory is a sociology and criminology theory developed in 1938 by robert k. This theory was developed in the midst of the great depression, so it is not surprising that it focused on that type of. According to this theory, individuals not only decide to commit crime, but decide when and where to commit crime. General strain theory oxford research encyclopedia of. Oct 18, 2019 strain theory explains deviant behavior as an inevitable outcome of the distress individuals experience when theyre deprived of ways to achieve culturally valued goals. Strain theory sociology wikipedia, the free encyclopedia strain theory. While the functionalist theory seeks to explain the functions of deviance and crime in society, the strain theory helps to deepen our understanding by connecting these ideas to the antagonistic relationship between cultural goals and institutionalised means. Classical criminology biological criminology, psychoanalytic theory, social learning theory cognitive development theory,criminal personality theory, strain theories, subcultural theories, differential association, social ecology,chicago area project,control theories, conflict theories, labelling theories, lifecourse criminology. Mertons strain theory and the history, evidence to support this theory, policy, and social programs which are in place to try to combat crime in a different manner. General strain theory gst has secured a fair degree of empirical sup port since its introduction in 1992 agnew, 1992.
Following the work of emile durkheim, strain theories have been supported by robert king merton, albert k. Criminology is the study of why individuals commit crimes and why they behave in certain situations. The major theoretical perspectives of criminology, including strain theory, differential association theory, social disorganization theory, and labeling theory, were used to provide explanations. Mertons 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. In the late 1930s, he went on to create his strain theory. Prior to the mid1970s, theorizing about crime and delinquency. Anomie strain theory explained american sociologist dr. Strain theory was developed by robert king merton in 1957, which states that, social structure of society compel an individual to commit crime. Journal of research in crime and delinquencyagnew general. Sep 01, 2012 while the revised theory attracted some attention in and of itself, it was important largely because it laid the foundation for my general strain theory gst of crime and delinquency agnew 1992, 2007. Merton, whose work on the subject became especially influential in the 1950s other researchers set forth similar. Jun 14, 2016 the functionalist and strain theories both show some relationship between deviance and social structure. The theory holds that individuals will turn to a life of crime when they are strained, or when they are unable to achieve the goals of the.
Robert merton presented two, not always clearly differentiated theories in his seminal explorations on the social. Oct 22, 2003 robert merton presented two, not always clearly differentiated theories in his seminal explorations on the social. These emotions create pressure for corrective action, and crime is one possible response agnew 1992. Strain theory in criminology has focused on the first type of strain, arguing that it is most responsible for the delinquency in our society. General strain theory gst agnew, 1992, 2001, 2006a is an established criminological theory. The theory states that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve a socially accepted goals such as the american dream though they lack the means, this leads to strain which may lead. As hinted earlier, the relationship is rather complex. Social structure and anomie 675 thus, in competitive athletics, when the aim of victory is shorn of its institutional trappings and success in contests becomes construed as win ning the game rather than winning through circumscribed modes of activity, a premium is implicitly set upon the use of illegitimate but tech. While the general strain theory is clearly distinct from control and differential association theory, strain may lead to low social control and association with delinquent others. These strains involve the inability to achieve ones goals e. Strain theories state that certain strains or stressors increase the likelihood of crime. Strain theory focuses explicitly on negative relationships with others, relationships in which individuals are not treated as they want to be treated. This leads to strain which may lead individuals to commit crimes, like selling drugs or becoming involved in prostitution as a. General strain theory gst argues that strains or stressors increase the likelihood of negative emotions like anger and frustration.
Introduction and overview rational choice theory, which is derived mainly from the expected utility model in economics, has become a hot topic in criminology, sociology, political science, and law. Robert agnew on strain theory and the american society for criminology. There are several versions of strain theory, each of which describes. Foundation for a general strain theory of crime and delinquency.
Robert merton is considered by many scholars as one of the founding fathers of modern sociology. Social strain theory was developed by famed american sociologist robert k. Agnews general strain theory 2 robert agnews general strain theory is one of the most respected theories of crime in modern criminology. When an individual in a society cannot achieve culturally approved goal via culturally approved ways, it can be stressful for him and may leads to deviant behavior. Strain theory states that certain strains or stressors increase the likelihood of crime. The academic discipline of criminology has a plethora of theories which try to explain various criminological phenomenons. Strain theory meaning criminology criminal justice.
This paper tests agnews 1992 general strain theory gst of crime and delinquency. Strain theories of crime criminology theories iresearchnet. Data from a sample of 1,380 new jersey adolescents provide qualified support for the theory. 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 noxious or negatively valued stimuli. Rational choice, deterrence, and social learning theory in criminology. By understanding why a person commits a crime, one can develop ways to control crime or rehabilitate the criminal. Argue that people engage in deviant behaviour when they cannot achieve goals by appropriate means robert k merton developed the first strain theory in 1938 it have two key elements. An examination of december 2015 the role of gendered strains and negative emotions on crime abstract of a dissertation at the university of miami. Further, the effect of these strain measures is conditioned by delinquent peers and self. From interpreting the legal terminology of the various types of violent crime, to examining the important theories as to why people commit crimes, criminological research gives you.
Our values, beliefs, goals, and identities are developed in the cultural realm. General strain theory gst is the latest and broadest version of strain theory agnew, 2006. The theory states that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve a socially accepted goals such as the american dream though they lack the means, this leads to strain. A problematic legacy a brief survey of american criminology illustrates the analytical bias that has been present in the discipline since its advent. Reflection on a revised strain theory of delinquency. The psychology of crime definition criminology is an interdisciplinary field of study that focuses on. Major research traditions in the justiceequity field, however, argue that anger and frustration derive primarily from the second two types of strain. The status of criminological theory, advances in criminological theory, vol. Apr 16, 2016 the continuing relevance of strain theory. In criminology, the strain theory describes social structures inside society that may support people to carry out crime.
Strain theory also argues that adolescents are pressured into delinquency by negative affective states, most notably anger and related emotions. An examination of the impact of criminological theory on. However, strain theory has not always occupied a respectable position among scholars in the criminological community. Strain theory criminology robert merton criminal justice. Strain theory is a sociology and criminology theory developed in 1957 by robert k. While mertons theory was based on 20 th century america, it is transferable to any contemporary, western, developed capitalist society. Cohen, richard cloward and lloyd ohlin, robert agnew, and steven messner and richard rosenfeld. They often are lifecourse theories, arguing that causes of crime occur in a sequence across time. Immersing yourself in the behavioral science of criminology involves analyzing the tools and approaches for helping you, and society as a whole, understand and even control criminal behavior. General strain theory gst provides a unique explanation of crime and delinquency. One of the key theories to emerge from this branch of criminology is rational choice theory, associated with the work of cornish and clarke 1986. The ideas underlying strain theory were first advanced in the 1930s by american sociologist robert k.
While durkheims concept of anomie was rather vague, merton explains the idea in quite a detailed way. While the revised theory attracted some attention in and of itself, it was important largely because it laid the foundation for my general strain theory gst of crime and delinquency agnew 1992, 2007. Classical criminology biological criminology, psychoanalytic theory, social learning theory cognitive development theory,criminal personality theory,strain theories, subcultural theories, differential association, social ecology,chicago area project,control theories, conflict theories, labelling theories, lifecourse criminology. These emotions create pressure for corrective action, and crime is one possible response. Strain theories state that certain strains or stressors lead to negative emotions, which create pressure for corrective action. Merton, whose work on the subject became especially influential in the 1950s. The major theoretical perspectives of criminology, including strain theory, differential association theory, social disorganization theory, and labeling theory, were used to. Crime is one possible response, especially when people lack the ability to cope in a legal manner. The contribution of social psychological strain theory to the explanation of crime and delinquency. Merton asserted that societies are composed of two core aspects.
These strains lead to negative emotions, such as frustration and anger. Gst attempted to merge the revised theory with prior strain theories, and it drew heavily on the stress, emotions and justice literatures. The theory states that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals such as the american dream, though they lack the means. Although the theory has been examined by many and enjoys empirical support, some. This theory was developed in the midst of the great depression, so it is not surprising that it focused on that type of strain involving the inability to achieve monetary success.
Robert k mertons strain theory explained sociology tutor2u. Some theories lead to the age old question of nature. The theory states that social structures may pressure citizens to commit crimes. This was just one of his theories which gained prominence amongst social science circles and beyond. Merton who, in his discussion of deviance, proposed a typology of deviant behavior. Criticisms of previous and traditional strain theories, however, will be.
The following sections will discuss previous and traditional criminology strain theories, agnews development and discussion of the basic principles of general strain theory, and the theoretical linkages between gst and delinquency. Ncjrs abstract national criminal justice reference service. Merton 1938 developed the first major strain theory of crime in the 1930s. Robert mertons 1957 theories of anomie and strain are among the most widely examined theories of criminality. Robert k mertons strain theory explained sociology.
Strain theory for merton deviance is the result of a strain between the goals that a culture encourages and how the structure of society allows them to achieve these things legitimately merton argued that in the usa the pursuit of the american dream leads to deviant and criminal behaviour. 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. Rational choice, deterrence, and social learning theory in. Robert agnew developed his general strain theory gst in 1992, and it has since become the leading version of strain theory and one of the major theories of crime. Merton expanded research on anomie in his deviance theory, is widely used today in criminology when studying strain theory. Cullen, john paul wright, and michelle coleman eds taking stock. Research suggests that many types of strain falling under the theory are related to delinquency, with certain studies indicating that strain affects subsequent 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. Messner and rosenfelds 1994 theory of institutional anomie built on mertons conception of anomie, delineating how specific institutions lead to conditions of anomie and criminality. Current status and directions for further research, in francis t.
Gst focuses on a broad range of strains, including the inability to achieve a variety of goals, the loss of valued possessions, and negative treatment by others. For example, western society places value on economic success, even though wealth is accessible to just a small percentage of people. A general strain theory of terrorism robert agnew, 2010. When considering the link between theory and practice, it is important to remember the following basic truth. Strain theory is different from social control and social learning theory in its specification of the type of social relationship that leads to delinquency and the motivation for delinquency. Merton was born in philadelphia, america in july 1910.
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