Crime is one possible response. Free resources to assist you with your university studies! According the GST, the trait of aggressiveness helps to fuel persistent antisocial behavior for at least three reasons. Peoples methods of coping with stress can take two general avenues, the first avenue being the use of legitimate means of achieving goals or coping with stress, such as seeking professional help, and the second being illegitimate means, for example, bullying kids at school because of frustrations of not fitting in. Removal of valued stimuli. Broidy, L. M. (2001). Your current browser may not support copying via this button. To fully understand GST, it is helpful to review the multiple publications that span the development and growth of the theory. This source looks beyond simply failing to achieve a goal of monetary success or doing well in school (Agnew 1992:53). (Sub)cultural theories (Cohen 1955;Ogbu 1978;Willis 1977), on. In short, using the above sources of strain, it is clear that negative relationships with other have potential to cause strain in an individual and in turn result in negative emotions. In contrast, strains that involve accidents, illness, that are due to natural causes, or that are associated with prosocial activities are expected to have a weak relationship to offending (see also Felson, Osgood, Horney, & Wiernik, 2012). They examine various individual strains and conclude that some strains affect males and females differently (see also Hay, 2003; Jang, 2007). Some criminologists argue that, relative to males, females have less freedom or opportunity to offend. Often times anger leads an individual to seek revenge and is also a strong motivator for action. Lets say a sales worker who thought they deserved a promotion due to good sales performance gets demoted while someone with less credentials get promoted. In addition, Agnew (2006) published Pressured into Crime: An Overview of General Strain Theory. In such a situation there is a strain between the goals and the means to achieve those goals, and some people turn to crime in order to achieve success. Under this broad definition, GST delineates three major types of strain. 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). Based on another longitudinal sample of adolescents, Eitle (2010) finds that increases in strain over time are associated with an increase in future offending, while decreases in strain promote desistance from crime. Abstract. What Are the Strengths and Weaknesses of Mertons Strain Theory in Understanding Crime paper focuses on the social strain theory. It should be noted that, in GST, the goals and outcomes that are important to individuals are no longer limited to income or middle-class status. The main reason for delinquency in this case is to attempt to improve their outcome, such as lying on sales and fudging the books, or affect others outcome, such as writing slanderous rumors that get someone fired (Agnew 1992:54). Put a "charge" into people, motivate . Among females, depression does not alter the effect of anger. 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. 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. They do so by creating their own alternative status system, which emphasizes goals they can readily achieve, such as toughness and fighting prowess. Measures of strain typically predict crime and delinquency, even after factoring in variables from rival crime theories. 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. Likewise, a study by Hoffmann and Ireland (2004) produced mixed results regarding the impact of school-context variables on delinquency. However, these predictions were not supported. What are the weaknesses of the strain theory? Likewise, the gender gap in offending may reflect gender differences in the experience of, and reaction to, strain, but unanticipated findings in this area of research suggest that the gendered pathways may be more complex than originally specified (De Coster & Zito, 2010). It is important to develop a more complete understanding of the relationship between strain and crime because such research may guide crime-control efforts. According to the initial statement of GST (Agnew, 1992), the likelihood of a deviant response to strain is shaped or conditioned by the individuals coping skills and resources, availability of social support, association with criminal/delinquent peers, social control, beliefs about crime, and possession of certain traits such as self-control. General strain theory (GST) provides a unique explanation of crime and delinquency. Why, for example, do some communities have especially high rates of crime and violence? According to GST, the experience of strain or stress tends to generate negative emotions such as anger, frustration, depression, and despair. GST, then, greatly expands the notion of goal-blockage and recognizes that individuals pursue a variety of goals beyond economic success or middle-class status. A longitudinal test of the revised theory was also published (Agnew, 1989). Second, many . This outcome could reflect the different populations that have been sampled across studies, which include adolescents in the general population, justice-involved youth, and adults. To cope with this frustration, status-frustrated boys tend to band together and rebel against middle-class expectations. Disadvantages. Mertons theory focuses on the individual but some crime is a collective action. They also find support for the interpersonal friction argument, noting that, in such schools, students in general (not just angry students) have an elevated risk of becoming involved in fights. 10 Why do people turn to crime in the strain theory? Furthering Mertons ideas in 1994, Messer and Rosenfeld expanded on idea of the American Dream as an origin of criminality. Further, as predicted by Broidy and Agnew (1997), most studies in this area conclude that the reaction to strain is gendered. Assumptions of strain theory This theory is founded on the following assumptions: Planar Rings are utilized in all of the ring structures. In this paper, the limitations and . 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. 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. Although most young offenders age out of crime as they enter adulthood, some individuals maintain high levels of offending throughout much of the life course. Strain theory. Can't escape noxious stimuli. Chronic anger tends to foster attitudes that favor aggression, which in turn increase the likelihood of violent offending. These mixed findings may reflect methodological challenges and the limitations of individual studies (see Mazerolle & Maahs, 2000). According to some studies, delinquent peer associations, deviant beliefs, low self-control, and other factors increase the likelihood that strain will lead to deviant outcomes (e.g., Agnew & White, 1992; Keith, 2014; Mazerolle & Maahs, 2000). In particular, rates of poverty and male joblessness predicted delinquent behavior in urban communities. 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! 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. Merton suggests that there are two important elements of social structure. Stress can be influenced by a variety of factors however, whether it is accumulation of wealth, death of a friend, or perhaps loss of job. The evidence in this area suggests that, on average, males and females experience the same overall level of strain. It builds and extends from the fraud triangle theory. Certain categories of youth may lack conventional sources of social support, especially young people who have poor relationships with their parents and teachers. According to GST, the experience of strain or stress tends to generate negative emotions such as anger, frustration, depression, and despair. Recent research, how-ever, has been critical of strain theory or, at best, has provided only mixed support for the theory. If you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help! After reading the literature, policy implications for General Strain Theory become obvious. Messer and Rosenfeld (1994) state that the heavy emphasis on American Dream encourages criminal impulses while creating a weak normative environment. Other studies, however, fail to observe the predicted conditioning effects (e.g., Hoffmann & Miller, 1998; Mazerolle & Piquero, 1997; for an overview, see, Agnew, 2006). Certain strains that fall into this categorysuch as racial discriminationhave been neglected by other theories. 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. Equalizing opportunities could include paying females equal wages, or provide more intensive education in low income areas, as well as making it easier for those in lower socioeconomic classes to attend college. These chronic, high-rate offenders typically exhibit highly aggressive behavior as young children, engage in high levels of delinquency during adolescence, and persist in serious offending as they grow older (Moffitt, 1993). According to GST, the experience of strain or stress tends to generate negative emotions such as anger, frustration, depression, and despair. In the longitudinal analyses, however, strain did not predict drug use (although the effect was significant in cross-sectional analyses). . Over time, strain theories came under attack for their failure to adequately explain why only some strained individuals resort to crime, for their failure to explain offending by middle-class individuals, for their neglect of goals other than monetary success or middle-class status, and for their lack of empirical support. Examples of interventions that may have potential in this area include parenting and anger-management programs (for overviews, see Agnew, 1995b, 2006). Emile Durkheim first popularized the term anomie, which essentially is defined normlessness, or the instability that occurs when norms and cultural values breakdown. In particular, large segments of the population internalize the American Dream ethos but lack the legal or legitimate means to attain monetary wealth, which contributes to goal blockage and frustration (see Agnew, 1987). Agnew, R. (1992). It may also foster beliefs favorable to crime (e.g., the belief that crime is justified), increase the appeal of delinquent peer groups (such groups may be seen as a solution to strain), and contribute to certain traits that are conducive to crime, such as negative emotionality and low self-control (Agnew, 2006; Agnew, Brezina, Wright, & Cullen, 2002). Building on the foundation of general strain theory: Specifying the types of strain most likely to lead to crime and delinquency. For example, individuals may attempt to escape environments that are associated with strain (e.g., running away from home or skipping school), they may attempt to satisfy desires for retaliation or revenge by striking back at the source of strain, or they may attempt to alleviate negative emotions through delinquent means, such as illicit substance use. My 1985 article presented a revised strain theory, which stated that delinquency results from the blockage of pain-avoidance behavior as well as the blockage of goal-seeking behavior. Why do people turn to crime in the strain theory? Although the theory has been examined by many and enjoys empirical support, some limitations of previous studies need to be addr. He referred to such deviance as innovation while identifying the other responses to strain as conformity, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. An additional level of complexity has been introduced by studies that distinguish between situation-based emotions and trait-based emotions. Also, while early tests of GST typically examined the relationship between strain and general delinquency, the theory has since been applied to a variety of specific deviant behaviors. What are the limitations of Mertons strain theory? Agnews strain theory is focused on the individual level and their immediate social environment (Agnew 1992:48). Moreover, in urban communities with high rates of male joblessness, the effect of individual-level stress on delinquency was magnified. Getting something of great value stolen from you would be an example of the removal. 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. This test is important because it assessed the possibility of a reciprocal relationship between strain and delinquency. (Note: the work of Merton also suggests that strain contributes to anomie, or a sense that the traditional rules no longer apply. Initial tests of GST produced promising results, showing a relationship between various strains and delinquent behavior. Other research, however, does not find the distinction between objective and subjective measures of strain to be consequential (Lin & Mieczkowski, 2011). General strain theory can be easy to subscribe to due in part to its broad scope, and General Strain Theory unlike previous strain theories is able to focus on middle and lower class delinquency, rather than exclusively lower class like Merton. For example, females are subject to higher levels of parental supervision, have higher levels of commitment to family and school, and are less likely to associate with delinquent peers. By the 1970s, however, strain theory began to fall out of favor. Robert Agnew, who devised a revision to previous strain theories, argued that most of the previous theories accredit crime to the failure of adolescents to accomplish traditional goals defined by society through legitimate avenues (Agnew 1985). Although GST highlights the role of negative effect, the experience of strain is thought to have other consequences of a criminogenic nature. Agnew R. (2010). 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 . Jang and Rhodes (2012), however, find that the effects of strain are partly mediated by social bonds and self-control, but not delinquent peers. Although none of the programs are explicitly based on strain theory, they deal with three major types of strain noted in general strain theory. These and other issues provide opportunities for further theoretical development and are likely to stimulate additional research on GST. Robert King Merton in 1938 used the idea of anomie to help develop the foundation for strain theory. In addition to subcultural orientations and breakdowns in social control, GST asserts that high-crime communities tend to suffer from a relatively high proportion and angry and frustrated residents (Agnew, 1999). Agnew (1992:51) describes multiple types of strain that fall under the category of failing to achieve positively valued goals. Google Scholar. Crossref. In certain neighborhoods, for instance, strained youth have access to illegal markets and exposure to experienced criminals (criminal role models). These negative emotions, in turn, are said to create pressures for corrective action, with crime or delinquency being one possible response. What are the five components of Robert Mertons strain theory? A measure of traditional strain, which indexed the respondents perceived chances of going to college and getting a good job, failed to exert a significant effect on future delinquency. 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. Relatively few studies have examined intervening processes that involve factors other than emotions. One weakness of Mertons theory of anomie/strain is that it does not provide a good explanation for economic crimes. 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). Cohen theorized that this inability to live up to middle-class expectations creates status frustration. The article had some success, laying the groundwork for my "general strain theory," now one of the leading explanations of crime and delinquency ( Agnew 1992 . Google Scholar. General strain theory (GST) is an established criminological theory. Further, the victim of bullying may believe that striking back at the source of strain will help to end or alleviate the strain. Disadvantages. They also find that the co-occurrence of anger and depression is more common among females. Agnew (1992), however, argues that other types of goal blockage are important and may have a stronger relationship to crime and delinquency. Consequently, tests of GST that fail to distinguish between situation- and trait-based emotions could be problematic. The experience of chronic or repeated strain, in particular, may weaken relationships with conventional others and therefore result in low social control. Aggressive individuals can be described as having a difficult temperamentthey are irritable and have a low tolerance for frustration. In particular, they often lack coping resources that are available to those in wealthier communities, such as money, power, and conventional social support. 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). Certain data indicate that the subjective experience of strain is an important consideration in understanding the relationship between strain and offending, but studies in this area have produced mixed results. This is only one example of how Agnew began his revision. In hindsight, these mixed results may not be surprising. Hundreds of studies have been published that test some aspect of GST or that apply GST to crime, delinquency, or other deviant behaviors. The data indicate that children who obtain high scores on a combined measure of negative emotionality/low constraint tend to report elevated levels of illicit drug use during adolescence and adulthood, controlling for other relevant variables. Evidence indicates that males are more likely than females to experience certain strains conducive to crime, such as violent victimization, and that this difference partly explains gender differences in offending (e.g., Hay, 2003). Nevertheless, Agnew and his colleagues have extended and elaborated GST in many ways, showing how the theory can also be used to explain patterns of crime over the life course, gender differences in crime, and community-level differences in crime. For example, their ties to parents and teachers may weaken as a result of disputes regarding curfews, dress, homework, and privileges. Agnews 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 individuals disposal (Broidy 2001:10). By measuring these factors, primarily intensity and duration of strain, General Strain Theory can be empirically tested by criminologists. Strains that meet these conditions include parental rejection and abuse, harsh or excessive parental discipline, negative experiences in school (e.g., failing grades or negative relations with teachers), being the victim of bullying or other peer abuse, criminal victimization, marital problems (e.g., verbal or physical abuse), persistent unemployment or under-employment; racial discrimination, homelessness, residence in economically deprived neighborhoods, and the inability to satisfy strong desires for money, excitement, and masculine status. 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. After all, aspirations typically involve ideal goals or outcomes and are somewhat utopian in character. The results are generally supportive of GST. It is important to explain this pattern of offending, as such offenders commit a disproportionate share of serious crime. Research indicates that most of these strains are related to crime (for an overview, see Agnew, 2006). First, aggressive individuals have a propensity to interpret any given situation as frustrating and to blame others for their frustration. 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. Theoretically, strain should generate negative emotions that arise in direct response to adverse events or situations. These latter types of goal-blockage, in turn, are expected to have a stronger association with the experience of disappointment and dissatisfaction. Registered office: Creative Tower, Fujairah, PO Box 4422, UAE. In contrast, most studies that have examined conditioning factors are based on general population samples. Agnew (1992): General Strain Theory. General strain theorists recognize these factors, but they offer two additional reasons for the gender gap in crime and delinquency (Broidy & Agnew, 1997). Crime may be used to reduce or escape from strain, seek revenge against the source of strain or related targets, or alleviate negative emotions. Continuing Relevance. Aggressive children may also frustrate their peers and teachers, leading to social rejection. Instead, an attempt is made to highlight areas of research that speak to the overall validity of GST, that point to important problems or issues in the specification of the theory, or that suggest new directions for the future development of the theory. Strained individuals may resort to crime or delinquency because it allows them to address the source of strain or because it allows them to alleviate the negative emotions that tend to accompany strain (even though criminal or delinquent responses may cause more problems in the long run). Such traits are said to interfere with the development of strong attachments to conventional others and other stakes in conformity. 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. Which of the following is a weakness of Mertons anomie theory? These differences, in turn, are linked to the gender gap in delinquent involvement. Based on a national sample of African American adults, Jang and Johnson (2003) find that strain-induced anger best predicts aggression, while strain-induced depression is more strongly associated with substance use. Several tests, however, indicate that the central propositions of GST apply to youth in other parts of the world (e.g., Bao, Haas, & Pi, 2007; Moon, Morash, McCluskey, & Hwang, 2009; Sigfusdottir, Kristjansson, & Agnew, 2012; but see Botchkovar, Tittle, & Antonaccio, 2009) and to adult populations (e.g., Jang & Johnson, 2003; Morris, Carriaga, Diamond, Piquero, & Piquero, 2012; Ostrowsky & Messner, 2005; Swatt, Gibson, & Piquero, 2007). Several findings from this study are noteworthy. However, research on the conditioning effects of these factors has produced mixed results. How does the strain theory explain crime? Merton observed that, in the United States, the cultural ethos of the American Dream encourages all individuals, regardless of circumstance, to strive for personal success, with an emphasis on the accumulation of monetary wealth. Strain theory Strain theory is the state of a variety in certain strains and stressors in a person's life that increases the likelihood of crime. This paper tests Agnew's (1992) general strain theory (GST) of crime and delinquency. Another possibility is that males are more likely to react to strain with emotions that are conducive to offending, such as moral outrage. In longitudinal analyses that controlled for levels of social control, delinquent peers, and prior behavior, they find that delinquency is predicted by negative life events, negative relations with adults, school/peer hassles, and neighborhood problems. In comparison to objective measures of strain, Froggio and Agnew (2007) find that subjective measures of strain are more strongly related to offending. 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. You could not be signed in, please check and try again. 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). As stated earlier, the strains that are said to be most relevant to crime and delinquency tend to be those seen as unjust and high in magnitude (severe, frequent, of a chronic nature, and of central importance to the individual). 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). The present study drew on Agnew's General Strain Theory (GST) to examine the relationship between strain, race, and delinquent behavior. Do you have a 2:1 degree or higher? Although difficult, equalizing the opportunity for all to become successful would prove to be effective based on the assumptions of strain theories. Depending upon the type of stress they encounter, there is a greater likelihood that certain individuals may choose to commit a crime. Disclaimer: This is an example of a student written essay.Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers. Males and females appear to react differently to strain or to the emotional consequences of strain. The second major type of strain involves the presentation of noxious or negatively valued stimuli. Agnew (1992) argues that the key emotion associated with General Strain theory is anger. For example, aggressive children often frustrate their parents and are at risk of emotional and physical abuse, especially when raised by unskilled parents. Drug use ( although the theory same overall level of complexity has been critical of theory! Of anger and depression is more common among females, depression does not alter the effect was significant in analyses. 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