Strain

have found various different ways in which to explain criminal activities and behaviors. Perhaps one of the most interesting and impactful theories regarding crime is one that is known as strain theory, particularly the ideas discussed by theorist Robert K. Merton. Developed by theorist Robert K. Merton, strain theory looks at how an individual may turn to crime as a means of achieving goals that he/she has no legitimate means of achieving (Schmalleger, 2009). One of the most…

scariest six minutes in Charleston’s history. Then Agnew’s general strain theory will be explained and how it relates and applies to the shooting. Then finally everything will be concluded. General Strain Theory To start the explanation of Agnew’s general strain theory needs to be addressed. General Strain Theory, according to Agnew (Higgins, Piquero, and Piquero, 2010) in individuals have three potential forms of encounter strain. The first was failure to achieve positively valued goals. The…

us gather and analyze data on various aspects of crime and criminal behavior. These theories not only help us understand the subject matter but humankind as a whole. Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory made several attempts to fine-tune the original strain theory. It identifies many different sources of strain besides the non-correlation between expectations and achievements. This caused a new perspective on an old theory made many decades ago. Agnew’s alterations addressed many of the…

committed by minors. (Siegal, 1981) When looking deeper into the deviant behaviors of juveniles there are fundamental perspectives that correlate the juvenile delinquency. Three main theories that are being focused on are strain theory, control theory, and cultural deviance theories. Strain theory which is also known as motivational theory describes desires that a juvenile have such as committing crimes. According to what society’s norm is these juveniles are forced to conform which causes them…

while biological theory tries to explain the boy’s act of theft as being biologically oriented as such, and he has no control over them. Some of the sociological theories in this case include the strain theory, social control theory, the rational control theory, and the biological theory. 1. Strain theory Strain theory is a concept by Robert Merton which…

as weird that someone showed up to work in their pj's. When someone breaks this norm, we see it as odd and it can be unacceptable to some people's standards. When something is breaking the norm, it would be considered as deviance. The social strain theory describes how society puts out these goals for us, but these goals through lack of means or different goals can lead to deviance. There are certain goals that society puts out for us. Society expects everyone to reach the same goal in the…

The theory revolves around the idea that people feel strain due to not meeting cultural goals. Society tends to dictate certain cultural goals for people, such as success or wealth, while circumstance can hinder the culturally accepted means of achieving those goals. (5) This can cause some people to strive…

quoted as a potential reason for crime. There are several major theories of crime but strain theory is one of the most commonly used for explaining crime with the help of a socio-economic element. There are several strain theories but the most important are Robert K. Merton’s original strain theory and Robert Agnew’s general strain theory. Strain theory…

constantly developing. The “Strain theory emphasizes predominance of crime among lower class and minority populations because they are the most deprived of legitimate opportunities” (Williams, 2013, Ch. 6, Slide 5). In the 1930’s, Robert K. Merton developed the first trace of the strain theory. Merton based his general thoughts and ideas off of Durkheim’s original idea of the theoretical framework of the anomie (Tibbets S. & Hemmens C., 2015, p. 222). The general idea of the strain theory “is…

Strain theory has been define in varies ways, Robert K. Merton describes it as social structures/societal goals that are presented to people as what they should strive towards in order to be successful in life, but at the same time society does not provide any effective legitimate means to reach that goals (Merton, 1938, Pg.675). Those who are in the lower brackets of society, and do to the pressure that society puts on the individual it leads to those individual finding other illegitimate means…