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Micro and macro level general strain theory
Strain theory key words
Micro and macro level general strain theory
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General Strain Theory
Noel Rangel
University of North Texas at Dallas
There are many theories to choose from and I decided to choose and focus on general strain theory. I chose general strain theory because I believe this particular theory applies to a lot of people across the United States, especially those people who are in the middle class and below. First I am going to explain what general strain theory is and what Agnew finds most important about it. Secondly, what micro level components are used in this theory and how they affect people. Lastly, I am going to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of general strain theory. Not everyone falls victim to general strain theory because not everyone is in the same social and economical predicament. A lot of people are unfortunate to go through these strains/stressors of life and it all comes down to how one chooses to deal with the hand life dealt them. Dr. Robert Agnew (2013) took Robert Merton’s classical
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The strengths that general strain theory has are the variety of different strains it provides (Agnew, 2013, p. 203). Another one of its strengths is the fact that it provides individual characteristics. Individual characteristics were important to present in this theory because it is primarily composed of micro-level components. By presenting a more detailed explanation of individuals, this led to the conclusion of what type of “individual’s are more disposed than others to respond to strains with crime” (Agnew, 2013, p. 210). Some people see crime as their only way out and others choose to commit crime and choose to associate with a criminal crowd. As for weaknesses in general strain theory, the only weakness I could think of is the fact that it is not macro-level based. If Agnew’s theory were to contain both micro-level and macro-level components, I believe it would be a harder theory for people to
Agnew’s theory pulls from sociological literature concerning mental health, focusing on associations between taxing experiences, negative emotions, and social behavior. According to Agnew (1992), there are three forms of strain that one may experience: “prevention from achieving positively valued goals, removal or the threat of removal of positively valued stimuli, and presentation or threat of presentation of noxious stimuli or negatively valued stimuli” (Agnew, 1992, p. 48). General strain theory (GST) also suggests that there are “strains, particularly conflicting social relationships, that engender negative affective states (e.g., anger, fear, frustration) that create internal pressure for corrective action” (Aseltine, 2010, p. 257). The corrective action can be seen as a way to escape the negative emotion or rid one’s self from the pressure or strain.
Strain theory is no different. During the 1930s, Americans were facing some of the worst, if not the worst, economical times in American history. The collapse of the stock market in 1929 lead to an era we now call “the Great Depression”. During this time extreme poverty and unemployment increased drastically, along with suicide and crime rates, particularly murder rates (Siegel 2010, p. 44). Robert Merton’s influence for the development of strain theory came from his observation of how influential the economic institutions were in regards to all other social factors. He drew heavily from Emile Durkheim’s earlier concept of anomie, or normlessness, to develop his own theoretical structure (Merton 1938; Merton
Majority of the citizens in the United States have always strived to obtain, what is known as the American dream. That dream usually involves having a well-paid career, a family, and having a big house in a neighborhood free from crime. According, Robert Merton in his theory of Strain theory believes that these goals are instilled at an early age, which these goals are held to all of its members in society; however the means of obtaining these goals are not equally distributed out. The means being defined as education, the concepts of hard work are ways to achieve these goals. Merton’s strain theory is an explanation of criminal behavior, according to the textbook, Adler, Mueller and Laufer (2010) defined Strain theory as “that people are law-abiding citizen, but when under great pressure will resort to crime. Disparity between goals and means provide this pressure.”(p.106) Merton goes that in a class-orientated society, opportunities to get to the top are not equally distributed. There are two important elements that in any society. The (1) cultural aspirations, or goals that people believe are worth striving for, and (2) institutionalized means to accepted ways to attain the desire ends. Inequality between goals and means fosters frustrations, which leads to strain. (Alder, Mueller, and Laufer 2010).
Robert Merton created quite a big influence on what is known as, Strain theories. He based it off of Durkheim’s Anomie concept, but they each had their own different approach of it. Merton’s approach was towards what he called it as, “The American dream” Merton describes it as (1938), “in our competitive society, where in wealth has taken on a highly symbolic cast.” (677). He believes that society as a whole gives this dream too much of an importance. This American dream is his concept of Anomie. His model of Anomie became widely known and still one of the most cited theories.
Agnew and Passas talked about the similarities between the macrolevel of anomie and control theory, but emphasized that the micro level theory of strain should be considered separate from control theory. Agnew also compared strain theory to control theory and social learning theory. The theories differ by the type of social relations that they stress and the motivations on which they are based. While control theory rests on the premise that the breakdown of society frees the individual to commit crime, strain theory is focused on the pressure that is placed on the individual to commit crime. Social learning theory is based on the forces from a group that lead to a positive view of crime. According to strain theory, individual
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.
This essay will argue that general strain theory provides the most valid causal explanation for incidents of domestic violence. The relationship between general strain theory and domestic violence will be illustrated through examinations of scholarly articles and legislation. Information regarding the context and legal status of domestic violence will be provided to enhance the understanding of the issue and the applicability of general strain theory to it, and potential remedies will also be discussed.
Greco, R., & Curci, A. (2017). Does the General Strain Theory Explain Gambling and Substance Use?. Journal of gambling studies, 33(3), 919-936.
The theory I choose that I feel best represents the story would have to be the strain theory. I feel this theory best fits because I believe that society does put a lot of pressure into individuals, especially in the black community. Most of the high crime rates come from the black individuals due to the pressure that is put into them from trying to survive in the cruel world we live in. There is more pressure in the black community for reasons that racism still exists and stereotyping is still an issue in society. When certain people from society see a black person they automatically start assuming they are all criminals, drug addicts, uneducated, problematic and have no good future ahead of them. The strain theory comes from Robert K.
General Strain Theory was reinvented by Robert Agnew in 1992 and contributed a new perception to the present strain theory that was popularized a couple eras ago (Agnew, 1992). Classic strain theory is connected; first with Merton’s (1938), Cohen’s (1955) and Cloward and Ohlin’s (1960). Founded on Durkheim’s theory of anomie (1893), Merton industrialized his theory of deviancy inside a societal fundamental context. Merton’s interpretation on the topic is that goal-expectation inconsistencies, composed with social stratification generates strain between underprivileged societies in turn leading them to use any means necessary, such as criminal, in order to accomplish socially defined goals (Merton, 1938). Merton specified that deviance was a
Strain theory describes deviance as a consequence of communal stresses placed on individuals. The source of Strain theory lies in the irregularity, a circumstance of misperception when societal norms are fragile or contradictory. An abnormality may be the consequence of an inconsistency, when communally accepted aims cannot be encountered using communally appropriate methods. For instance, everybody desires to make money so individual can sustenance his or her household and have an enjoyable lifestyle. Nevertheless, there might be no employments, or the individual might not have sufficient education to get a decent giving occupation. They are incapable to assemble their ambition of making wealth by exercising socially appropriate methods Strain Theory designates five character varieties that result from a condition resembling like this.
In classic strain theory it is said that, Classic strain theory focuses on that type of strain involving the inability to achieve success or gain a middle class status. General Strain theory 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. General Strain Theory has been applied to a range of topics, including the explanation of gender, race/ethnicity, age, community, and societal differences in crime
... people commit crimes and are not limited to one aspect like the original theory. For example, Merton strain theory just looked one aspect of blocked opportunities to unable achieve economic success. Differential Opportunity theory helped explain the different illegitimate means that causes people to commit crimes for example poverty and high concentrations of youth living in slums (Murphy & Robinson, 2009). Agnew General Strain theory takes a micro approach into looking at the different types of strain that causes people to commit crimes (Lilly et al.2010). Even though these theories explain certain aspects of what causes crime, it does not explain the sole cause of why criminal behavior occurs or why one commits different crimes. However integrated theories are helpful to understand certain aspects of why people commit crimes and engage in deviant behavior.
To gain an accurate understanding of strain theories it is best to first examine their intellectual foundations. One of the most important influences on the development of strain theories was sociologist Emile Durkheim. A structural functionalist, Durkheim argued that deviance and crime were not only normal, but also served a function in society. Durkheim believed that crime served the purpose of displaying to members of society what behaviours and actions are considered unacceptable as determined by societal co...
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.