The two theories I have decided to merge are Agnew’s General Strain Theory and Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory. I picked General Strain Theory because it does a good job at discussing some of the things that can trigger the release of a person’s negative emotions which in turn may lead to deviant behavior. I also decided to write about Social Bond Theory because it describes some of the factors that keep people from committing crime. Both of the theories have strengths and weaknesses individually, but when merged they help fill in each other’s gaps. (Agnew, 2011; Hirschi, 2011) +1 (888) 295-7904 The proposal of Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory in explaining criminal deviance is based on three concepts. The first concept is that people are not naturally inclined to commit crimes. Rather, their transition towards deviant behavior begins when they experience strain. The second concept is that once strain is present, depending on the severity of the stain, a person becomes victim to their own negative emotions like anger, jealousy, and frustration. Their response to those negative emotions may expedite their transition. The third concept looks at a person’s ability to cope with the strain and negative emotions. If a person has poor coping abilities they tend to become overwhelmed by the strain and the negative emotions they are feeling as a result of strain. Poor coping abilities may cause someone to commit crime in hopes of rectifying their situation. (Agnew, 2011) General Strain Theory views most humans as being lawful and moral citizens in their society. The average citizen only turns to deviance when they become inflicted with negative emotions brought on by one or more of the three main types of strain. The three types ... ... middle of paper ... ...rain theory. In F. Cullen & R. Agnew (Eds.), Criminological Theory: Past to Present (pp. 189-197). New York: Oxford University Press Inc. Agnew, R. (2011). Pressured into crime: General strain theory. In F. Cullen & R. Agnew (Eds.), Criminological Theory: Past to Present 4th ed. (pp. 190). New York: Oxford University Press Inc. Agnew, R. (2011). Pressured into crime: General strain theory. In F. Cullen & R. Agnew (Eds.), Criminological Theory: Past to Present 4th ed. (pp. 191). New York: Oxford University Press Inc. Hirschi, T. (2011). Social bond theory. In F. Cullen & R. Agnew (Eds.), Criminological Theory: Past to Present 4th ed. (pp. 215-223). New York: Oxford University Press Inc. Hirschi, T. (2011). Social bond theory. In F. Cullen & R. Agnew (Eds.), Criminological Theory: Past to Present 4th ed. (p. 217). New York: Oxford University Press Inc.
The general strain theory hypothesizes that socioemotional problems cause strain in people’s lives and that the accumulation of stressors leads to criminal behavior. According to Agnew (2001), strain events can be characterized as involving “goal blockage, the loss of positive stimuli and/or the presentation of negative stimuli” (p. 323). These events can be seen by an individual as being unjust, undeserved, or threatening, especially for an adolescent. As we look back at the life of Jesse James, we
Agnew (1995) does recognize that, while situations in life can create pressures toward deviance and violence, strain does not inevitably lead to violent behavior. However, Agnew (1995) argues that the effect of strain on deviance and violence is conditioned by the personal and social context in which strain is
There are many criminological theories that attempt to explain criminal behavior or crime patterns. For instance, Agnew’s General Strain Theory can be applied to explain why the criminal John Dillinger committed various crimes. Agnew’s General Strain Theory assumes that all individuals experience strain, which, in turn, causes negative emotions that can result in legitimate or illegitimate coping, depending on an individual’s constraints or dispositions. Thus, the continuous criminal behavior throughout John Dillinger’s life can be explained using Agnew’s General Strain Theory in relation to strain, negative emotions, and dispositions.
Agnew, R. (1992). Foundation for a general strain theory of crime and delinquency. Criminology, 30, 47-87. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-9125.1992.tb01093.x
Deviance is a natural part of and necessary for stability and social order in society, this according to functionalist theorist Emile Durkheim (MindEdge, Inc., 2016). Traditionally, society is generally successful in providing motivation for individuals to aspire for goals of some sort, whether through wealth, prestige or perceived power (Henslin, 2011). However, from a functional perspective, theories have been developed in identifying when lawful and equal access is not afforded to certain individuals in the process of obtaining such goals. This restriction and inequality to opportunity for access in the quest to achieve success is what is now referred to as structural strain theory, which was developed by sociologist Robert Merton (Henslin,
Multiple theories are competing with each other to solve the same puzzle of understanding why people commit crime. General strain theory states that crime is caused by individuals experiencing strain and coping with this by committing crimes (Agnew, 1992). Self-control theory argues that an individual 's level of self-control will stop a person from committing crime. These two theories are in conflict of explaining why people cause crime, self-control theory states that people are inherently capable of crime because people avoid pain and seek pleasure (Gottfredson, & Hirschi,
General Strain Theory was discussed by Robert Agnew, and first published in 1992. According to General Strain Theory individuals engage in crime because of strains or stressors which produce anger and anxiety (Agnew, 1992). Crimes become the outlet that the individual uses to cope with or remedy the strains or stressors. Agnew states that there are three different types of deviance producing strains.
Travis Hirschi presented a social bonding theory in 1969. The main idea of the social bonding theory is that each and every individual has a drive to act in selfish and even aggressive ways that might possibly lead to criminal behavior. Social bonding theory is somewhat have similarities with the Durkheim theory that “we are all animals, and thus naturally capable of committing criminal acts” (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 162). However, the stronger a person is bonded to the conventional society, for example, family, schools, communities, the less prone a person is to be involved in criminal activity. The great example of this would be the serial killer Nannie Doss. Since early age she did not have any bonds either to her family with an abusive father or to community she lived in. Most of the time during her childhood she was isolated from any social interactions with her schoolmates or friends.
Predominantly, strain theory can be used to explain the criminal behavior of the Homicide in Hollenbeck documentary. In the course on juveni...
Also, the way Hirschi organized his work is very comprehensive. He developed his theory by comparing and contrasting through three criminological perspectives, including the cultural deviance theory by Sutherland (1939), the strain theory by Merton (1938), and his social bond theory. By doing so, he can design operational measures for a survey based on the key concepts of each theory. For example, question about attitudes toward the violation of laws are based largely on the concept of the cultural deviance theory. Consequently, by using the comparative method, Hirchis can illustrate the advantages of the social bond theory as well as the limitations of those two theories simultaneously. This approach was a new way for criminology. Lastly, the self-control theory by Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) has built on the assumption of the social control theory, trying to extend the scope for explaining delinquent behaviors among
A man named Robert Merton created the original form of Strain Theory in 1938. Strain theory portrays misbehavior as a form of problem-solving, usually done in response to problems including frustration, an unattractive social environment, or unobtainable object or goal. Taking Emile Durkheim’s concepts of “anomie” or “without norms”. Merton created a model in which crime is caused due to strain of the person. Fluctuating based on other social factors; some folks prefer to commit crime to achieve their goals (Schmalleger 89). A main reason Willie may have turned to a life of criminality is the disadvantaged environment from the start. He came from a poor family where food and cloths were at the bare minimum. The first instance of strain little Willie faced was hunger. He would go down to the corner market and steal by any means necessary to provide extra food (Butterfield, 137). Would he have robbed the grocery store if there had been a fatter supply of food at his house? This would be a question asked by a strain
The General Strain Theory scope has an intention of providing a clear explanation for why and why not crime occurs across all levels of society, while maintaining that stress is a major cause of criminal involvement. When people experience negative emotions, such as anger, frustration, or depression, they are in result unhappy and upset, thus experiencing strains or stressors (Ganem, 2010). Crime is then a way of reducing or escaping from these strains, and it is their method of coping with their emotions. According to Agnew, “Strains refer to events or conditions that are disliked by individuals (1992,
Williams, F., & McShane, M. (2010). Criminological Theory, (5th Edition). New Brunswick, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
This could explain the effect of strains on crime by taken this theory into account. Once strain causes bonds to weaken amongst conventional groups and institutions such as family, school, and peer networks will open up doors to delinquent behaviors, because by being in these social roles causes the person to regulate by role expectations.
In conclusion, Social Bond Theory has been around for many years and has stood the test of time. The four bonds, attachment, involvement, commitment and belief are all held by individuals and play a major part in determining criminality. While it does not describe deviance perfectly, it does match what is believed to be the basic human view of why people become criminals. The view of Social Bond Theory is that all humans are basically evil and that deviance is a natural process. It is just a matter of how weak or strong these bonds are that either promotes, or deters deviance.