Comparing Labeling Theory and Strain Theory as Explanations for the Causes, Processes, Effects and Implications of Murder Murder is defined in Section 18 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) as an act causing the death charged was done or intended to be done with reckless indifference towards human life or with an intent to cause grievous bodily harm upon a person or to kill. The crime is punishable by a minimum of 25 years and a maximum of life imprisonment. Two explanations for the causes, processes, effects and implications of murder include the Labeling Theory and the Strain Theory. This essay aims to compare both of these explanations and assess the limitations and strengths of each theory in their reasoning for why murder occurs within society. …show more content…
Individuals facing problems such as socioeconomic inequality, societal pressures or blocked opportunities may resort to crime as a means of reaching their goals or to alleviate strain (Vowell and May, 2000). In the context of murder, the theory suggests that individuals experiencing strain may turn to violence as a coping mechanism or alternatively as a means of achieving objectives (Huck et al., 2017). The theory offers an understanding of social and structural factors that may contribute to behaviors through examination of the interplay between available means and societal goals. Furthermore, strain theory can be applied across different cultures and contexts as the disparities between particular cultural aspirations and opportunities are of universal concern (Botchkovar et al., …show more content…
- 2006 -. Pressured into crime: An overview of general strain theory. ATCHISON, A. J. -. HEIDE, K. M. 2011. Charles Manson and the family: The application of sociological theories to multiple murders. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 55, 771-798. Becker, H. S. 2018. Labelling theory reconsidered - 1. Deviance and social control. Routledge. The. BERNBURG, J. -. 2009. The 'Standard' of the 'Standard'. Labeling Theory. BOTCHKOVAR, E. V., TITTLE, C. R. & ANTONACCIO, O. 2009. The 'Standard' of the 'Standard'. General strain theory: Additional evidence using crosscultural data. Criminology, 47, 131-176. Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), New South Wales Consolidated Acts, viewed 27 March 2024, (-- removed HTML) FARRINGTON, D. P. & MURRAY, J. 2014. The 'Standard' of the 'Standard'. Labeling theory : empirical tests, New Brunswick (U.S.A.), Transaction Publishers. GROSS, S. R., POSSLEY, M. & STEPHENS, K. 2017. Race and wrongful convictions in the United States. HUCK, J. L., SPRAITZ, J. D., BOWERS, J. H. & MORRIS, C. S. 2017. Connecting opportunity and strain to understand deviant behavior: A test of general strain theory. Deviant Behavior, 38, 1009-1026. JANG, S. J. & Y. J. & JOHNSON, B. R. 2003. Strain, negative emotions, and deviant coping among African Americans: A test of general strain theory. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 19, 79-105. LINK, B. G. & PHELAN, J. C. 2001. Conceptualizing the Stigma of the. Annual Review of Sociology, 27,
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
The Yates’ unconventional standard of living along with the social belief that a woman’s role is to be the homemaker could have created anxiety and undue pressure on Andrea. Their pastor and mentor, Woroniecki “preached that parents were ultimately responsible for the souls of their children” and if children were behaving poorly the parents should “commit suicide rather than cause their children to stumble and go to hell” (Lancet 1952). The Yates lived on Woroniecki’s converted bus for two years with Noah, John, and Paul—all of which toddlers—while Andrea tried to be content because she “thought [she] was helping [her] husband and trying to do what [Rusty] wanted”(Park & Dietz 9). Upon giving birth to her fourth child, Andrea had her first major bout with postpartum depression, followed by several psychotic breaks.
Predominantly, strain theory can be used to explain the criminal behavior of the Homicide in Hollenbeck documentary. In the course on juveni...
Agnew’s general strain theory describes how strains are more likely to lead to deviance when the strain is associated with a low amount of social control. Sutherland and Akers take a slightly different interpretation of this. They recognize that social factors, such as race and social class, do have an influence on criminal behavior because of their effect on an individual’s likelihood of associating with others who present definitions of crime similar to their own. However, these theologians refer to the concept of social control in a different way that
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 Structural Strain Theory is a theory of deviance that explains deviance as the natural outgrowth of the values, norms, and structures of society. Amer...
2014). The presumption that an individual’s urge to engage in criminal activities is based on his/her inadequacy to achieve goals of a society legitimately leading to societal or personal strain is the argument basis of sociological strain theory. General strain theory attempt to give understanding of crime through one’s lack of ability to obtain financial security (ÖZBAY, Ö. 2014)... Meaning that one’s might be more willing to commit unlawful act based on their need to achieve goals such as money, respect, or the need for
This paper presents how Labeling theory and strain theory can explain the crimes that The White family from West Virginia commit on a daily basis. The wonderful White of West Virginia portrays corruption and poverty. They do not conform to any authority or rules; all they want to do is fuss, fight and party. The White family takes part in shoot-outs, robberies; gas huffing, drug dealing, pill popping and murders. They are famously known for their Hill Billy tap dancing and wild criminal ways. West Virginia being the poorest state in the United States they do not have the resources to a good education system or available employment. Therefore, frustration sets in, leading to failed aspirations causing the Whites to resort to violent and illegal ways to survive in a declining economy, to obtain a slight chance to their perspective of the American dream. However, being labeled as the rebels of the south just makes that slight chance of the American dream much harder to obtain.
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 creation of inconsistency amongst social goals and the genuine means to attain these goals (Smith & Bohm, 2008). Merton shaped a typology of deviance contingent on how diverse human beings adjust to ethnically persuaded strain. Conferring to Merton, crime can be elucidated by the predictable socially acknowledged goals and the conceivable genuine means of accomplishing them.
Labelling theory: The theory that the terms crime, deviance, or punishment are labels, variously applied by act of power and not some natural reflection of events – American criminologist Howard Becker
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.
A highly debated topic concerns whether criminals commit crimes because of a social pressure or an individual urge. The strain theory supports crime as a social pressure because, as Frank Schmalleger suggests in Criminology Today 222, crime is an adaptive behavior that coincides with problems caused by frustration or unpleasant social surroundings. Also, culture conflict theory states the cause of delinquent behavior is because different social classes conflicting morals of what is appropriate or proper behavior, (Schmalleger 228). Other people believe blaming crime on the economy or where they grew up is making an excuse for criminals instead of making them take responsibility for their actions, as stated by CQ writer Peter Katel. These different views started with statistics taken on crime in the early 1800s. Andre Michel Guerry of France was one of the first examiners of “the moral health of nations” in the early 19th century, (Schmalleger 35). Another early crime statistician was Adolphe Quetelet of Belgium . Quetelet evaluated the crime rates between weather, sex, and age. His findings that climate contributes to high or low crime rate is a main factor in today’s fight against crime. It is doubtful this issue will ever be settled since there are too many pros and cons to each side. However, while specialists’ dispute this, crime is not stopping. There needs to be a way, or possibly several ways, to reduce criminal activity. It is doubtful criminal activity will ever be put to an end. The same is to be said about why people commit crime, but knowing if it is done socially or individually can help with the fight against it. In the end, individuals should take responsibility for their actions, but...
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.
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.
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.