General Strain Theory: Causes And Contributions To Criminology

Robert Agnew has contributed a range of works to the study of criminology, ranging from the causes of crime and juvenile delinquency to the development of the General Strain Theory, Agnew also looks at the assumptions of criminology, the causes and efforts to control crime. This essay will analyse and overview the work of Agnew and how he has contributed to criminology as a subject. Firstly looking at earlier works to which he has built his work upon, to talking about his concept of the general strain theory and also looking at the techniques of neutralisation.
Agnew’s General Strain Theory has been built on earlier General Strain Theory’s shaped by Emile Durkheim and Robert Merton. To which was taken by the theory of Anomie. Anomie can be seen as a lack of social or ethical standards in society whilst as an individual or as a group. There are no rules for people to follow and moral standards drop in groups, the value of morals needs to there for individuals to follow as it guides behaviour, engaging on limits that people should and should not do. Anomie can be thought of a state of ‘normlessness’ which then can lead to deviant behaviour. Emile Durkheim thought that in society crime should exist and that society would not be able to exist without it – logically criminality should and will exist if there is a societal organisation. “Without crime there could be no evolution in law. If society is to progress each person must be able to express himself. The opportunity for the genius to …show more content…
Meaning that they can minimize the important strain which is causing the events, maximising the positive and minimizing the negative outcome of an event. Lastly accepting responsibility for the negative outcomes.
Behaviour This involves the individuals changing their behaviour to seek out positive experiences while avoiding situations that produce negative