Criticisms Of The Strain Theory

Criticisms As with any theory, the strain theory draws great criticism. One of the major criticisms is the fact that the strain theory is based on weak empirical support. 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). A criticism made by Bernard (1987), is that the strain theories do not predict relationships at the individual level between crime and frustration. The theory predicts a relationship between crime and characteristics associated with social structures; however, those social structural characteristics are not necessary to explain crime at the individual level. It is also argued that the theory only explains some types of crime and delinquency but not all (Bernard, 1987). Benard (1987) argues that Merton does not make any assertion about the psychological state of the individual in situations of social structural strain. Merton attributes normal psychological states to the deviant individuals described in his theory; at no point does he assert that these individuals are more strained in a certain psychological sense. Merton’s …show more content…
As a result of these strains, some people experience negative emotions such as anger or frustration. When these individuals lack the resources to cope with the strain they are encountering through legitimate means, they will be more likely to alleviate to illegitimate means in which they can cope with the strain. As with any theory, the strain theory has criticisms, namely the issues of the strain theory only being applicable at the aggregate level and the way the strain theory ties disjunction and expectations to strain. Even with the criticisms, researchers have recognized the importance that the strain theory plays when it comes to explaining crime within