limitations of general strain theorylimitations of general strain theory

Jennings and colleagues (2009) report similar results based on a study of Mexican American adolescents. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UKEssays.com. The study measured eight different types of strains (i.e., racism, gender discrimination, and teachers' emotional punishment . What Are the Strengths and Weaknesses of Mertons Strain Theory in Understanding Crime paper focuses on the social strain theory. He referred to such deviance as innovation while identifying the other responses to strain as conformity, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. Limitations to the large strain theory. This test is important because it assessed the possibility of a reciprocal relationship between strain and delinquency. General strain theory focuses on negative relationships with others and suggest that the resulting anger and frustration may lead to juvenile delinquency. Most empirical tests of GST have been conducted in the United States and are based on data from adolescent surveys. 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). Numerous additional tests of GST have produced similar results, indicating a relationship between various strains and offending behavior (for an overview, see Agnew 2006). The Strain Theory basically states that its the entire lower classes fault for crime in the cities and the upper classes have nothing to do with it. According to GST, however, the primary reason these strains are related to crime and delinquency is because they increase the likelihood that individuals will experience negative emotions, such as anger, resentment, anxiety, and depression. Research indicates that most of these strains are related to crime (for an overview, see Agnew, 2006). Moreover, many studiesespecially those focusing on aggressionfind that the effect of strain is partly mediated by anger. According to GST, the experience of strain or stress tends to generate negative emotions such as anger, frustration, depression, and despair. 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). They generally have less control over their lives, having difficulty removing themselves from adverse environments, and have fewer opportunities for legal coping, given poor schools and limited job opportunities. At the same time, however, opportunities for achieving monetary success are distributed unevenly in society. 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. In longitudinal analyses, a summary measure of strain predicted future delinquency, even after controlling for measures of social control, delinquent peer associations, and prior delinquent behavior. 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. Few studies have assessed the qualities of particular strains as they are experienced by the individual. The third path, ritualism, describes a person that will reject the culture goals of society, but use its institutions as an avenue for advancement. What are pharmacy technicians responsibilities? GST has been partly successful in overcoming these limitations. In order for a person like me, who is eternally critical, to become an advocate of a theory like such, I would like to see more comprehensive studies done. Crime may be used to reduce or escape from strain, seek revenge against the source of strain or related targets, or alleviate negative emotions. Since its inception, strain theory has attempted to explore the dynamic evoked between the process of goal identification and the process of goal acquisition as this relates to subsequent criminal behavior. Large Ring Structures contain negative strains, but these do not exist. However, these predictions were not supported. As a result, they have less to lose by engaging in delinquent responses to strain. One such theory, Agnew's General Strain Theory (GST), was derived from classic strain theory ideas developed from such criminologists as Merton . At the same time, certain strainsespecially chronic strains experienced in early childhoodmay promote the trait of aggressiveness, leading individuals to possess an angry and irritable temperament that transcends particular situations (Agnew, 1997). We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Further, certain data indicate that adolescents may resort to delinquency because it allows them to alleviate the negative emotional consequences of strain, at least in the short run (Brezina, 1996, 2000; Novacek, Raskin, & Hogan, 1991). In particular, rates of poverty and male joblessness predicted delinquent behavior in urban communities. 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. For example, females are more likely than males to react to academic problems with anger and depression. Copy this link, or click below to email it to a friend. 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. The emotion of anger plays a special role in GST because it is believed to be especially conducive to crime and violence. Merton suggests that there are two important elements of social structure. Agnew describes that by removing a positively valued stimuli it has the potential to cause strain. In certain neighborhoods, for instance, strained youth have access to illegal markets and exposure to experienced criminals (criminal role models). Limited evidence indicates that GST has some potential to explain continuity and change in offending behavior. They may also reflect a need for greater theoretical specification. Although Broidy (2001) suggests that the non random sample is not ideal, being neither representative of all college students nor representative to the population as a whole is useful for the purpose of this test. What are weaknesses of the strain theory? A general strain theory of terrorism. Goal blockage may include the inability to achieve other valued goals, such as respect and masculine status (e.g., the expectation that one be treated like a man), autonomy (e.g., the desire to achieve a certain amount of personal independence), and the desire for excitement. The major versions of strain theory describe 1) the particular strains most likely to lead to crime, 2) why strains increase crime, and 3) the factors that lead a person to or dissuade a person from responding to strains with crime. First, aggressive individuals have a propensity to interpret any given situation as frustrating and to blame others for their frustration. However, Froggio (2007) argues that despite evidence of correlation between delinquency and assumptions of General Strain Theory, the correlation is not clear cut in that many of the surveys conducted were limited. In particular, strain appears to reduce social control and increase involvement with delinquent peers, thereby resulting in elevated rates of offending (see also Brezina, 1998). This can lead to strain due to inequity, where an individual will feel that they are unequal to those of their peers and will subsequently increase the chances they engage in delinquency. It includes, for example, stressors that could be experienced by both lower-class and middle-class individuals. Much of the test results conducted between 1992 and 2003 confirms that correlation exists between stressful events, strain induced anger, and criminal activity. Baeyer Strain Theory - And its Limitations Baeyer Strain Theory August 20, 2022 by Sameer Ray Baeyer Strain Theory: Since the carbon atom is tetrahedral in nature, the angle between any two bonds should be 10928. For example, the finding that anger is unrelated to the likelihood of legitimate coping, is a finding that is not assumed in General Strain Theory (Broidy 2001:29), as the theory does in fact predict that negative emotions like anger would be associated with legitimate coping strategies. If you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help! A negative affect such as anger, is likely to lead an individual to take corrective steps to quell their anger. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Mertons strain theory? Agnew (1992) identifies three major sources of strain, being, the prevention or blockage of achieving positively valued goals, the removal of positively valued stimuli, and the threat or presentation of negatively valued stimuli. 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. After all, aspirations typically involve ideal goals or outcomes and are somewhat utopian in character. General strain theory regards strain as having three distinct sources: (1) blockage of desired goals, (2) withdrawal or loss of valued objects, and (3) introduction of negative stimuli. If your specific country is not listed, please select the UK version of the site, as this is best suited to international visitors. To address the mixed body of results produced by empirical studies, Agnew (2013) has further specified the conditions under which a deviant response to strain is more or less likely. GST was designed, in part, to address criticisms leveled against previous versions of strain theory. 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. Also found in this study was that females were much less likely to employ illegitimate coping strategies than males, leading Broidy to suggest that future studies of general strain theory should study the effect that gender has on assumptions described in general strain theory. Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic, Hong Kong. Where most other strain theories, such as Mertons, put a heavy focus on accumulation of wealth, a structural cultural goal, Agnew tends to focus on goals that cause strain other than wealth accumulation. First, previous studies have not incorporated all major types of strain in their models; hence, the effects of these strains on delinquency are unclear. 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. A study by Ganem (2010) highlights the potential complexity of the linkage between strain and offending, indicating that different types of strain may produce different types of negative emotions. Why, for example, do some communities have especially high rates of crime and violence? If money and resources were not an issue I would suggest organizing a birth cohort study, where a team follows children from birth until they are in their 25. Research on other aspects of the theory, however, has produced inconsistent results. For example, young people in poor inner-city communities experience high levels of family disruption, abuse and neglect, exposure to community violence, school problems, persistent poverty, unemployment, under-employment, and struggle to achieve goals related to money and status (Brezina & Agnew, 2013). These mixed findings may reflect methodological challenges and the limitations of individual studies (see Mazerolle & Maahs, 2000). In particular, they often lack coping resources that are available to those in wealthier communities, such as money, power, and conventional social support. General strain theorists recognize these factors, but they offer two additional reasons for the gender gap in crime and delinquency (Broidy & Agnew, 1997). Under this broad definition, GST delineates three major types of strain. [7] Agnew's three categories of strain [ edit] In this paper, the limitations and . Relatively few studies have examined intervening processes that involve factors other than emotions. You could not be signed in, please check and try again. Can GST explain why some communities (or other macro-level social units) have high rates of problem behavior? Although certain strains may be universally stressful or frustrating (e.g., hunger, homelessness, physical pain), most strains have a subjective component. 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). Commonality? Second, many . 6 How does the strain theory explain crime? This has led a number of researchers to call for either the abandonment or revision of strain . 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. At least some of the strains listed in the preceding paragraph have been the focus of other criminological theories because they are thought to be associated with low social control (e.g., negative school experiences) or the social learning of crime (e.g., exposure to abuse or harsh physical punishment). General strain theory (GST) provides a unique explanation of crime and delinquency. To explain persistent offending, some criminologists highlight the role of stable personality traits, such as low intelligence, impulsivity, or hyperactivity (Moffitt, 1993). They do so by creating their own alternative status system, which emphasizes goals they can readily achieve, such as toughness and fighting prowess. Scholars have argued that the strain theory was improperly measured suggesting that the main concept of the strain theory was improperly measured in previous research (Burton & Cullen, 1992). 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. Y. M. Cheng, Y. M. Cheng. Although the theory appears to be logical and fits the criteria for being a good theory by what was learned in CRMJ 301, I have become a skeptic of the theory. It is important to recognize that GST is an evolving theoretical framework. Lacking access to caring adults, such youth may have difficulty dealing with the emotional consequences of strain in a productive manner. Criminology, 30, 47-88. Downloadable (with restrictions)! Robert Merton (1938) offered the first modern version of strain theory, which attempted to explain social class differences in offending. Merton developed five modes of adaptation to cultural strain: Conformity, Innovation, Ritualism, Retreatism, and Rebellion. Abstract. Despite these positive results, most tests of GST have employed rather simple measures of strain. Our academic experts are ready and waiting to assist with any writing project you may have. One weakness of Mertons theory of anomie/strain is that it does not provide a good explanation for economic crimes. Piquero and Sealock (2004) analyze data from a small sample of justice-involved youth and find that males and females generally experience the same amount of overall strain. A longitudinal test of the revised theory was also published (Agnew, 1989). General strain theory (GST) (Agnew, 1992, 2001, 2006a) is an established criminological theory. These findings support previous theoretical arguments that linked angry arousal to cognitive processes that promote aggression. Building on the foundation of general strain theory: Specifying the types of strain most likely to lead to crime and delinquency. Strain theory fails to explain white collar crime, the perpetrator of whom have many opportunities to achieve through legal and legitimate means. GST was developed with this criticism in mind (Agnew, 1992). The effects of various socioenvironmental strains on suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt, including mediating effects of "negative affective states," are investigated. The trait of aggressiveness may result, in part, from chronic strains experienced in childhood, such as harsh or erratic parental discipline. 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! Strain predicted anger in both males and females, but it predicted depression in males only. General Strain Theory by definition is a logically sound theory, as it is not tautological, and can clearly be falsified. Further, as predicted by Broidy and Agnew (1997), most studies in this area conclude that the reaction to strain is gendered. According to GST, the experience of strain or stress tends to generate negative emotions such as anger, frustration, depression, and despair. Emile Durkheim first popularized the term anomie, which essentially is defined normlessness, or the instability that occurs when norms and cultural values breakdown. Among females, depression does not alter the effect of anger. Merton (1938) illustrates four responses to this strain. These strains may involve one-time events, are not likely to be blamed on others, are not easily resolved by engaging in crime, and thus generate little pressure for criminal coping. Ignores ruling class power to create and enforce laws to prevent the deviant adaptations (innovations,ritualism,retreatism and rebellion) Takes official statistics at face value. Furthering Mertons ideas in 1994, Messer and Rosenfeld expanded on idea of the American Dream as an origin of criminality. Jang and Rhodes (2012), however, find that the effects of strain are partly mediated by social bonds and self-control, but not delinquent peers. Merton argues that the struggle to accumulate wealth is the chief cause of strain (Merton 1938: 670). Some criminologists argue that, relative to males, females have less freedom or opportunity to offend. Strain also predicted violence and property crime among males but not among females. For instance, different types of strain may have distinct emotional consequences, leading to distinct behavior outcomes (Ganem, 2010). Put a "charge" into people, motivate . Some strains may have a relatively strong relationship to crime, while others have a weak relationship to crime. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. Crossref. Substance use, in turn, appears to exacerbate problems. . Since its inception, the theory has received a considerable amount of attention from researchers, has enjoyed a fair amount of empirical support, and has been credited with helping to revitalize the strain theory tradition. A study by Brezina (2010) highlights the fact that strain may have both emotional and cognitive consequences of a criminogenic nature (see also Konty, 2005). Other school-context variables (such as mean level of negative affect) exhibit little or no relationship to problem behavior. Agnew, R. (1992). General strain theory (GST) has gained a significant level of academic attention, since its development in 1992. . GST was designed primarily to explain why individuals differ in their levels of crime and delinquency. Following the initial statement of GST (Agnew, 1992), Agnew (2001) further specified the theory and identified those strains that are said to be most relevant to offending. 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). The desire to get the object back could lead to a person committing delinquent acts by seeking revenge for those responsible. 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 . 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). Blame others for their frustration problem behavior trait of aggressiveness may result in. ) exhibit little or no relationship to problem behavior this link, or click below to it! Of negative affect ) exhibit little or no relationship to problem behavior studies ( Mazerolle. Criminological theory an origin of criminality referred to such deviance as innovation while the. Urban communities social structure any given situation as frustrating and to blame others for their frustration individual to corrective! Paper, the perpetrator of whom have many opportunities to achieve through legal and means! Involve ideal goals or outcomes and are based on data from adolescent surveys predicted delinquent in... 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