The Strain Theory basically states that its the entire lower classes fault for crime in the cities and the upper classes have nothing to do with it. As a result of their difficult temperament, aggressive individuals have difficulty maintaining stable relationships and employment. The summary measure of strain indexed such factors as stressful life events, life hassles, and fights with parents. We've received widespread press coverage since 2003, Your UKEssays purchase is secure and we're rated 4.4/5 on reviews.co.uk. An example of this source of strain would be when an outcome of a situation conflicts with what the individual believed they deserved. As predicted by GST, a number of studies indicate that the relationship between strain and offending is partly mediated by anger, and this is especially true of studies that focus on violent behavior (e.g., Aseltine, Gore, & Gordon, 2000; Agnew, 1985; Brezina, 1998; Broidy, 2001; Hay & Evans, 2006; Jang & Johnson, 2003; Mazerolle & Piquero, 1997, 1998; Mazerolle, Piquero, & Capowich, 2003; Moon et al., 2009). These samples are likely to comprise mostly individuals who have a low overall propensity to offendindividuals who would be unlikely to respond to strain with crime regardless of their standing on particular variables (but see Baron, 2004; Leban et al., 2016; Morris et al., 2012). 1 What are weaknesses of the strain theory? 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). According to Bernard (1990), angry/frustrated individuals often have difficulty trusting others, attribute hostile motives to strangers, and view aggression as appropriate or justifiable in many different circumstances (see also Agnew, 2006). He referred to such deviance as innovation while identifying the other responses to strain as conformity, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. The theory recognizes that strain does not automatically lead to offending behavior and that such behavior is only one possible response to strain. The experience of chronic or repeated strain, in particular, may weaken relationships with conventional others and therefore result in low social control. According to GST, the experience of strain or stress tends to generate negative emotions such as anger, frustration, depression, and despair. Building on the foundation of general strain theory: Specifying the types of strain most likely to lead to crime and delinquency. Durkheims theory was based upon the idea that the lack of rules and clarity resulted in psychological status of worthlessness, frustration, lack of purpose, and despair. For example, aggressive children often frustrate their parents and are at risk of emotional and physical abuse, especially when raised by unskilled parents. 3 What is the assumption of strain theories? They try to increase the likelihood that youth . One of the major criticisms is the fact that the strain theory is based on weak empirical support. The results are generally supportive of GST. For instance, it was argued that individuals experience strain when they aspire to achieve monetary success but do not expect to attain it, because they perceive the goal of success to be out of reach. Evidence has accrued, for example, linking the experience of strain to aggressive behaviors in school, workplace violence, prison inmate misconduct, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and eating disorders (Brezina, Piquero, & Mazerolle, 2001; Hay & Meldrum, 2010; Hinduja, 2007; Morris et al., 2012; Piquero, Fox, Piquero, Capowich, & Mazerolle, 2010; Sharp, Terling-Watt, Atkins, Gilliam, & Sanders, 2001; Swatt et al., 2007). Moreover, in urban communities with high rates of male joblessness, the effect of individual-level stress on delinquency was magnified. These alternative links, however, have received less attention. Second, many . Rather, deviant responses to strain are most likely when multiple factors converge: The choice of a coping strategy such as crime is likely influenced by the convergence of several factors, including the characteristics of the individual, the characteristics of the stressor, the appraisal of the stressor, and the circumstances surrounding the stressor (Agnew, 2013, p. 660). First, previous studies have not incorporated all major types of strain in their models; hence, the effects of these strains on delinquency are unclear. The American dream is a popular culturally defined goal, Merton argued, which through honest-dedicated work, anyone can achieve this dream of wealth. 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. Also found in this study was that females were much less likely to employ illegitimate coping strategies than males, leading Broidy to suggest that future studies of general strain theory should study the effect that gender has on assumptions described in general strain theory. An example of removing stimuli could be someone shooting up a school because they were bullied, thus terminating the negative stimuli. Although it was anticipated that strain would have a stronger effect on violence in neighborhoods characterized by low social control, the findings did not support such a pattern. Second, neighborhood-level strain exerted a significant effect on violence in communities characterized by a low level of social support. As a result, they have less to lose by engaging in delinquent responses to strain. They may also reflect a need for greater theoretical specification. 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. A variety of explanations have been offered to account for this gender gap in offending. Do you have a 2:1 degree or higher? ISI. According to GST, the experience of strain or stress tends to generate negative emotions such as anger, frustration, depression, and despair. Cloward and Ohlin (1960) were also interested in the subcultural adaptions of juvenile gangs. 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. Although GST highlights the role of negative effect, the experience of strain is thought to have other consequences of a criminogenic nature. Certain school-level measures (such as perceived fairness) predicted delinquency at the individual level, but others did not (such as school problems). 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:). They also face much class and racial/ethnic discrimination, including negative experiences with the police and other representatives of the larger society (see Bernard, 1990). To make strain theory more applicable to juvenile delinquency, Cohen offered a revised version of the theory, which placed less emphasis on monetary success. To understand the development of GST, it is helpful to review the classic strain theories because GST was developed, in part, to address the limitations of these theories. You could not be signed in, please check and try again. We're here to answer any questions you have about our services. Relatively few studies have examined intervening processes that involve factors other than emotions. 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. Although the theory has been examined by many and enjoys empirical support, some limitations of previous studies need to be addr. What are the limitations of Mertons strain theory? Merton developed five modes of adaptation to cultural strain: Conformity, Innovation, Ritualism, Retreatism, and Rebellion. Agnew (1992:51) describes multiple types of strain that fall under the category of failing to achieve positively valued goals. This has led a number of researchers to call for either the abandonment or revision of strain . The GST strains are not included in any of these inventories. . Scholars have argued that the strain theory was improperly measured suggesting that the main concept of the strain theory was improperly measured in previous research (Burton & Cullen, 1992). Foundation for a general strain theory of delinquency and crime. Why do people turn to crime in the strain theory? 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). Several findings from this study are noteworthy. In addition, they observe that the combined effects of anger and depression have criminogenic consequences but in ways not predicted by GST. Removal of valued stimuli. Society defines what avenues are to be considered legitimate to achieve this goal, for example, earning a college degree and earning a high paying job would be a legitimate path as defined by our society. The idea of anomie means the lack of normal ethical or social standards. Which of the following is a weakness of Mertons anomie theory? Jang and Rhodes (2012), however, find that the effects of strain are partly mediated by social bonds and self-control, but not delinquent peers. For instance, different types of strain may have distinct emotional consequences, leading to distinct behavior outcomes (Ganem, 2010). It also increases the likelihood that angry and frustrated individuals will encounter each other, contributing to elevated rates of crime and violence (Agnew, 1999). There are hundreds of coping strategies; individuals often employ several strategies, contemporaneously and over time; the strategies they employ often vary, depending on the stressors they experience and other factors. Some criminologists argue that, relative to males, females have less freedom or opportunity to offend. GST, then, is distinguished from other criminological theories by the central role it assigns to negative emotions in the etiology of offending (Agnew, 1995a). Some strains may have a relatively strong relationship to crime, while others have a weak relationship to crime. Yet, whereas Cohen emphasized the rebellious nature of much juvenile delinquency, Cloward and Ohlin highlighted the variety of adaptations that can be observed across neighborhoods. People differ in their response to strain and only some strained individualsperhaps a small percentage of strained individualsrespond with offending behavior. To export a reference to this article please select a referencing stye below: If you are the original writer of this essay and no longer wish to have your work published on UKEssays.com then please: Our academic writing and marking services can help you! These strains may involve one-time events, are not likely to be blamed on others, are not easily resolved by engaging in crime, and thus generate little pressure for criminal coping. Disadvantages. 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). Study for free with our range of university lectures! The second major type of strain involves the presentation of noxious or negatively valued stimuli. Numerous additional tests of GST have produced similar results, indicating a relationship between various strains and offending behavior (for an overview, see Agnew 2006). Merton noted that the deviant response to strain was one of five responses he observed in society. Agnew R. (2010). Strain theory has received several criticisms, such as: Strain theory best applies only to the lower class as they struggle with limited resources to obtain their goals. For example, females are more likely than males to react to academic problems with anger and depression. As Agnew (2013) observes, the coping process is very complex: [The] examination of the coping process is difficult. Given the complexity of the coping process, he now argues that a single factor examined in isolationsuch as social support or association with delinquent peersis not likely, by itself, to shape the likelihood of deviant coping. 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)." Too deterministic- a lot of working class people experience crime but not all deviate. Females still get angry but may also have a high propensity to experience the emotions of depression and anxiety simultaneously. 8 What are the strengths and weaknesses of Mertons strain theory? Males are much more likely than females to engage in crime and delinquency, with the gender difference in offending being greatest for serious offenses. Agnew, Robert ( 2001) 'Building on the Foundation of General Strain Theory: Specifying the Types of Strain Most Likely to Lead to Crime and Delinquency' , Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency 38 (4 . . All produce negative emotional states/feelings. General strain theory (GST) provides a unique explanation of crime and delinquency. The study measured eight different types of strains (i.e., racism, gender discrimination, and teachers' emotional punishment . Initial tests of GST produced promising results, showing a relationship between various strains and delinquent behavior. Emile Durkheim first popularized the term anomie, which essentially is defined normlessness, or the instability that occurs when norms and cultural values breakdown. The link was not copied. 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. At least some of the strains listed in the preceding paragraph have been the focus of other criminological theories because they are thought to be associated with low social control (e.g., negative school experiences) or the social learning of crime (e.g., exposure to abuse or harsh physical punishment). Substance use, in turn, appears to exacerbate problems. Tests of GST, however, point to other areas where further specification may be required. Yet Agnew (1999) argues that processes related to social psychological strain can be used to explain patterns of crime appearing at the level of schools, neighborhoods, and larger communities. From simple essay plans, through to full dissertations, you can guarantee we have a service perfectly matched to your needs. To cope with this frustration, status-frustrated boys tend to band together and rebel against middle-class expectations. 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. Following the initial statement of GST (Agnew, 1992), Agnew (2001) further specified the theory and identified those strains that are said to be most relevant to offending. 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. Drawing on the stress literature, Agnew (2006) broadened the definition of strain to include events or conditions that are disliked by individuals (p. 4). Although some criminologists argue that these tests were flawed (see Agnew, Cullen, Burton, Evans, & Dunaway, 1996), such research diminished the influence of strain theory. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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