Anomie and general strain theory both aim to explain the reasoning behind the inclination to commit crime. These theories argue that people commit crime due to pressure or strain. Pressure or strain can result from a multitude of sources. Not all individuals respond to strain with crime, but those who do often lack to ability to cope with strains in a legal way. Criminal coping becomes more likely for countless reasons including, when people are susceptible to negative states, undergo repeated chronic stressors, the costs of crime are low and when they are unable to achieve goals. According to anomie and general strain theory these stressors and others account for the increase in likelihood of criminal activity (Kubrin, Stucky, & Krohn, 2009). …show more content…
Agnew (2006) argues that strain develops from the “inability to achieve positively- valued goals, the loss of positive stimuli, and the presentation of negatively-valued or aversive stimuli” (p. 101). These strains cause people to feel negative emotions like anger or depression and as a result they turn to crime as a way to escape strain. General strain theory in Agnew’s (2006) work focuses on one strain: “the inability to achieve conventional success goals” (p. 102). The inability to achieve conventional goals therefore leads to individuals committing crimes to accomplish their intended goals. Agnew (2006) also notes that not all strains relate to crime and the strains that most likely result in crime are “seen as unjust, are high in magnitude, are associated with low social control, and creates some pressure to engage in criminal coping ”(p. 102). General strain theory states that crime is often the response to strains because it may allow individuals to escape strains. While the escape is temporary, individuals still turn to crime in the face of various strains. Crime may allow people to get revenge on those who have wronged them, it may allow people to escape from negative treatment, and it may also be a way for individuals to achieve goals. Long-term consequences for criminal acts often go unconsidered. These individuals are simply looking for a way to lessen strain, even if it is brief (Agnew, 2005). Even when individuals are unable to escape or reduce strains they can turn to crime to “reduce negative emotions that result from their strains” (Agnew, 2005) (p.15). An example of this would be the use or illegal substances to find relief from strains (Agnew, 2005). Anomie, which translates to normlessness, occurs when there is a break down between the norms of society and the norms of the individual. Societal norms no longer hold the same value and control over behavior during times of anomie (Kubrin et. al., 2009). According to Merton (1968) society “promotes goals for their citizens and norms for people’s behavior in trying to achieve these goals” (p. 107). There members of society who strive to achieve these societal goals by the prescribed norms and there are those who do not. Merton created five categories of people describing their response to societal goals and the approved way to achieve them. First are the conformists who accept the goals and legitimate way to achieve them. Next are the innovators who approve of the goals but not the institutionalized means to achieve them. Therefore innovators are most commonly linked to criminal activity. They turn to illegitimate ways to achieve the prescribed goals. Third are the ritualists who accept the means to achieve economic success, but does not believe in the same mainstream goals as society. Fourth are retreatists, who are not usually associated with crime but may be associated with the use of illegal substances. Retreatists reject the goals and means of society. Lasty, are the rebels. Rebels also reject the both goals and means supported by society. Making them more criminally inclined than retreatist though, rebels “seek to replace the American Dream with new goals and new means to achieve these goals, which in rare cases could lead to terrorist behavior” (Kubrin et. al., 2009) (p. 109). Critical Reaction Strain theory and anomie are a logical way to explain the likelihood of committing crime in the face of pressure or strain.
They encompass a broad range of strains that can cause people to commit crime. Strain can occur in the form of negative emotions, lacking a job or income, or perceived mistreatment, as well as many other forms. Therefore I believe that general strain theory and anomie are promising theories.
There are issues with the theories though that causes them to be slightly unreliable. Strains can be measured in numerous ways. Every study of general strain theory can look at completely different strains and measure them in different ways. Looking at different strains while implementing different measurement techniques makes determining the accuracy and validity of strain theory to become difficult. Theories need to be empirically tested and replicated to determine their value.
Merton’s (1968) general strain theory tends to focus on the idea that only crimes committed for economic gain result from strain. This creates a narrow application for strain theory and eliminates its application to other crimes. Other theorists though have expanded general strain theory to include various crimes. If general strain theory was truly intended to only apply to crime committed for economic gain this theory would be much to narrow and might not have the staying power it has
today. Macro-level components of general strain and anomie have undergone modest testing. The micro-level components of Merton’s (1968) theory have been tested which have created support for the theory. Studying the macro-level components may be a difficult task but for these theories to be fully evaluated it must be done. A qualitative study examining goals, norms for achieving them and an analysis of crime rates could be implemented to look at the macro-level components of the theories. Crime Prevention Data was collected from the Florida Department of Corrections Offender Based Information Systems to evaluate the effect of visitation in prison has on recidivism rates over an 18 month period. A sample of 1,846 inmates was used in the study; half of the prisoners were visited while in prison and the remaining half were not visited. The study compared the two groups of inmates and their recidivism for a full three years after release. Recidivism was defined as a conviction for a new felony relating to violent crimes, property crimes, and drug crimes. The program revealed a 4.7 percentage point reduction in the likelihood of recidivism for the inmates who received visitation. This shows that in-prison visitation often has a positive impact on recidivism rates (National Institute of Justice, 2015). This program relates to strain theory because visitation allows inmates to foster bonds between their family and friends, which can have an effect on inmate’s behavior. These social bonds help deter inmates from future crime because they can provide inmates to resources. Resources such as housing or jobs following their release can reduce or eliminate strains that would be faced by inmates who did not have these resources available. If these resources were not available, inmates may succumb to crime as a way to escape the stress of not having legitimate means of income or housing. Visitations can also reduce negative feelings that are attributed to crime by strain theory. Strengthening social bonds while in prison may reduce feelings of loss or hopelessness often experienced while imprisoned (National Institute of Justice, 2015). This program is promising, but it does not rely on strain theory alone. Many theories are at play and are most likely what have caused the study to be promising. If only the strains of the two groups were examined after release, the program may not be effective in reducing recidivism. Not every prisoner who is visited gains valuable resources due to visitations. These resources are key in reducing strains post-imprisonment. The study would have to only examine strains prisoners believed they would face after imprisonment and the actual strains they face once released from prison. The reduction of strains after post-imprisonment would also have to be directly related to their visitations while in prison. If strains were reduced because inmates communicated the perceived strains to friends or family during visitation then the study would be successful. The communication of perceived strains could result in family or friends taking steps to provide adequate resources to reduce strains once the inmate is released. If family and friends did take these steps then it could be shown that visitation may have a positive impact on recidivism rates. But there would also be inmates who communicated perceived strains to visitors and receive no assistance or resources from these people once released. If an inmate does not receive aid it may cause them to recidivate. Inmates also might not communicate strains to visitors and this still could result in the implementation of resources or it might not. Studying the impact of strain and how it relates to visitation while in prison is difficult and must account for many factors. Lastly, the study was also conducted on a small number of offenders in only one state. The study needs to be replicated to show if it truly is promising and if it is fully developed.
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
Both theories by Merton and Agnew are similar because their focus is that social situations and conflicts an individual’s comes in contact within his/her life, may produce crime by emphasizing the a goal of success, much more than the means to achieve it. With Merton’s theory he adopted Durkheim’s concept of anomie to explain deviance. Merton’s theory combined both structural and cultural factors. Merton insists that society promotes goals for their citizens and norms for other’s behavior in attempting to reach these goals. In Merton’s theory people do crime when they are unable to reach or accomplish goals. Merton’s theory also explains how an individual’s social structure prevents an individual from becoming economically fortunate. His theory of modern anomie and strain express that individuals respond to strain in 5 individual ways. Those five ways are conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. On the other hand Agnew general strain theory, feels strain comes from sources other than economic failure. Agnew general strain theory focuses on a few other types of strain and stress. Like the presentation of a negative stimuli, and the loss of a positive stimuli. Agnew feels that this sort of strain leads to a negative state of mind. The emotions like angry, frustration and fear, lead to crime and criminal behavior. One
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
...riminal activity. This is because individuals become enthralled with their status in the community and want to achieve it anyway possible. This type of social structure "produces a strain toward anomie and deviant behavior. The pressure of such a social order is upon outdoing one's competitors (Thio, 2006)." Anomie strain theory is a good but difficult theory to implement. It offers "a way of constraining crime by improving the legitimate life chances of those who may otherwise make the choice to innovate defiantly (McLaughlin, 2001)."
According to Robert Agnew, “Strain Theory is based on the idea that delinquency results when individuals are unable to achieve their goals through legitimate channels, achievement or strike out at the source of their frustration in anger”. (Agnew, R. (1985). A Revised Strain Theory of Delinquency. Oxford journals. 64(1).151-166). The norms are violated to alleviate the strain that accompanies failure. When a good look is taken at the theories the strains might not only come from peoples frustrations with acquiring “ The American Dream”, but it becomes a mixture of strains such as economic deprivation, abuse, neglect, or the loss of a loved one. However, most people that experience strains do not commit crimes.
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.
For anomie to occur, the goal becomes more important than how you get it. Society has placed structural blocks that prevent a portion of a population from accessing legitimate means to achieve that goal. 9). The syllable of the syllable. Strain theory does not apply to the case When Need Turns to Greed because strain is when negative emotions lead a person to commit a 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.
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
Strain Theory states that people are born innocent and with good intentions but society causes them to commit crimes (cite). After reading this case it seems as through Jeanine is a troubled youth who because of strain in her family due to her sexual abuse has led her to become affiliated with an Aboriginal gang. This gang although has also placed strain on Jeanine because of the sexual exploitation she has faced with them as well. Jeanine has proven to be a very smart and athletic girl which shows her innocent and good intentions in life; but through the strain she has felt, reaching out to a gang and feeling as though she is important and incorporated into something, possibly for the first time, has led her to commit violent crimes. Her violence and delinquent behaviours could be a form of her reaching out for help because it seems as though her mother and father will not give her that form of relief. According Strain theory a juvenile who hates and/or dislikes their parents should be higher in delinquency in comparison to another juvenile who just simply does not care about their parental
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.
Strain theory occurs when people engage in deviant behaviour when they are unable to reach socially accepted goals by legal means. This strain leads to the use of socially deviant ways to attain their own goals. This theory has four modes of adaption, the final one being rebellion. This mode reject societies cultural goals and institutionalized means and replaces existing goals and means with their own. If society emphasizes something or there is an economic recession, it is expected to have an increase in criminal organizations that produce money illegally (Henslin 2012). Essentially it breaks down to the less opportunities available in society, the more likely crime is going to increase. In regards to human trafficking, our society emphasizes the need for money to survive but there are limited job opportunities. Since that type of organization is a profitable one, it would be a means for a person to reject socially acceptable ways and diverge towards criminal
Policy implications from Merton’s Anomie and Strain theory could result in almost anything that can reduce strain among individuals with a direct result in the reduction of crime. However, changing the systematic avenues of approach will seek to alleviate strains in society that ultimately reduce strains among individuals. Simply put, if Merton’s anomie and strain theory were to be implemented across the criminal justice system and society during its conception and in today’s system, it would have to being with changing both society and the individual. However, both are direct results of each
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.
Strain theories of criminal behaviour have been amongst the most important and influential in the field of criminology. Taking a societal approach, strain theories have sought to explain deficiencies in social structure that lead individuals to commit crime (Williams and McShane 2010). Strain theories operate under the premise that there is a societal consensus of values, beliefs, and goals with legitimate methods for achieving success. When individuals are denied access to legitimate methods for achieving success, the result is anomie or social strain. This often leads an individual to resort to deviant or criminal means to obtain the level of success that they are socialized to pursue. This is the basic premise of strain theory. This paper will explore the evolution of strain theories by first examining their intellectual foundations which laid the foundation for Robert Merton’s theories of anomie and strain. Merton’s strain theory will be discussed in detail including the modes of adaptation that people use when faced with societal strain. Finally, the paper will conclude with the strengths and weaknesses of Merton’s strain theory and an examination of the criminological theories and social policies it has influenced.