1. Strain Theory (or General Strain theory, your choice):
Strain theory explains deviant behavior as an unavoidable outcome of the strain an individual experiences when society does not provide acceptable and approved resources to achieve culturally valued goals. This theory was developed by the sociologist Robert K. Merton in 1957. Merton’s strain theory is influenced by Durkheim’s concept of anomie. It is the universal socialization of the “American Dream”. According to Merton, social roles are set by social structure and what are believed to be expected behaviors. He grouped individuals in five deviance groups: 1. Conformity where they accept approved goals and purses them. 2. Innovation where they accept goals but use disapproved means …show more content…
It was developed in 1990 by Travis Hirschi, in collaboration with Michael Gottfredson. Gottfredson and Hirschi argue “direct control” is the key to the most effective parenting. Because of this, they proposed a theory of crime based solely on one type of control alone “self-control”. They offer self-control theory as a generalized theory that explains all individual differences in the constraint to refrain from or to commit crime. They point out that all acts of crime and deviance at all ages, range in circumstances. Strain comes from many different sources. If an individual does not have or develop adequate coping skills, strain on that individual could cause then to commit crimes. Consequently, they see crime as a by-product of people with low self-control, who have high criminogenic tendencies, coming into contact with illegal prospects. It is given that most offenses are easy to commit and chances for crime are constantly available. People over a period of time, with low self-control inevitably, will become overwhelmingly involved in criminal behavior. It was stated by Agnew and Cullen, in 1999, that opportunities will be the primary determinant of people’s involvement in crime across their life course. People lacking self-control also tend to lack attentiveness, persistence, or determination in a course of action. To these individuals criminal acts tend to be exhilarating, dangerous, or stimulating and they maintain an exciting point of view. In addition, these crimes provide few or measly long-term benefits, and require little skill of planning. There are multiple sources and avenues of strain. Here is a list of some of the sources of strain: Failure to achieve positively valued goals, Disjunction of expectations and achievements, Removal of positively
Strain theory explains deviant behavior as an unavoidable outcome of the strain an individual experiences when society does not provide acceptable and approved resources to achieve culturally valued goals. This theory was developed by the sociologist Robert K. Merton in 1957. Merton’s strain theory is influenced by Durkheim’s concept of anomie. It is the universal socialization of the “American Dream”. According to Merton, social roles are set by social structure and what are believed to be expected behaviors. He grouped individuals in five deviance groups: 1. Conformity where they accept approved goals and purses them. 2. Innovation where they accept goals but use disapproved means …show more content…
It was developed in 1990 by Travis Hirschi, in collaboration with Michael Gottfredson. Gottfredson and Hirschi argue “direct control” is the key to the most effective parenting. Because of this, they proposed a theory of crime based solely on one type of control alone “self-control”. They offer self-control theory as a generalized theory that explains all individual differences in the constraint to refrain from or to commit crime. They point out that all acts of crime and deviance at all ages, range in circumstances. Strain comes from many different sources. If an individual does not have or develop adequate coping skills, strain on that individual could cause then to commit crimes. Consequently, they see crime as a by-product of people with low self-control, who have high criminogenic tendencies, coming into contact with illegal prospects. It is given that most offenses are easy to commit and chances for crime are constantly available. People over a period of time, with low self-control inevitably, will become overwhelmingly involved in criminal behavior. It was stated by Agnew and Cullen, in 1999, that opportunities will be the primary determinant of people’s involvement in crime across their life course. People lacking self-control also tend to lack attentiveness, persistence, or determination in a course of action. To these individuals criminal acts tend to be exhilarating, dangerous, or stimulating and they maintain an exciting point of view. In addition, these crimes provide few or measly long-term benefits, and require little skill of planning. There are multiple sources and avenues of strain. Here is a list of some of the sources of strain: Failure to achieve positively valued goals, Disjunction of expectations and achievements, Removal of positively