Understanding the Similarities to Strain Theory and General Theory of Crime
Understanding the similarities of Strain Theory,
&
General Theory of Crime
Angela Sampson # 2396467
Sociology 345: Social Control
Professor: James Chriss
Cleveland State University
April 30th 2012
Abstract:
The purpose is to identify the similarities between Strain theories, and General Theory of Crime. Strain was developed from the work of Durkheim and Merton and taken from the theory of anomie. Durkheim focused on the decrease of societal restraint and the strain that resulted at the individual level, and Merton studied the cultural imbalance that exists between goal and the norms of the individuals of society. “General Theory of Crime”, In 1990 Michael R. Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi wrote the book “A General Theory of Crime”. Compared to the originally presented control theory over twenty years earlier, this one is a more refined version of this theory. (LaCunninghamst, 2006).
Introduction
In my research I found that the strain theory has many components. Strain theory was developed from the work of Durkheim and Merton and taken from the theory of anomie. Durkheim focused on the decrease of societal restraint and the strain that resulted at the individual level, and Merton studied the cultural imbalance that exists between goal and the norms of the individuals of society. Anomie can be broken down into two levels. The first of these levels is the macroside of anomie, which is manifest in the inability of society to set limits on goals and regulate individual conduct. The microside of anomie, also known as strain theory, is focused on the reasons behind the increased likelihood of deviance that results from the breakdown of society. According to this microside of anomie, the decrease in societal regulations creates an increase pressure to commit deviant acts. (Agnew, 1992)
Robert Agnew’s revisions of the strain theory address many of the criticisms of the original strain theory. According to the original strain theory, an
&
General Theory of Crime
Angela Sampson # 2396467
Sociology 345: Social Control
Professor: James Chriss
Cleveland State University
April 30th 2012
Abstract:
The purpose is to identify the similarities between Strain theories, and General Theory of Crime. Strain was developed from the work of Durkheim and Merton and taken from the theory of anomie. Durkheim focused on the decrease of societal restraint and the strain that resulted at the individual level, and Merton studied the cultural imbalance that exists between goal and the norms of the individuals of society. “General Theory of Crime”, In 1990 Michael R. Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi wrote the book “A General Theory of Crime”. Compared to the originally presented control theory over twenty years earlier, this one is a more refined version of this theory. (LaCunninghamst, 2006).
Introduction
In my research I found that the strain theory has many components. Strain theory was developed from the work of Durkheim and Merton and taken from the theory of anomie. Durkheim focused on the decrease of societal restraint and the strain that resulted at the individual level, and Merton studied the cultural imbalance that exists between goal and the norms of the individuals of society. Anomie can be broken down into two levels. The first of these levels is the macroside of anomie, which is manifest in the inability of society to set limits on goals and regulate individual conduct. The microside of anomie, also known as strain theory, is focused on the reasons behind the increased likelihood of deviance that results from the breakdown of society. According to this microside of anomie, the decrease in societal regulations creates an increase pressure to commit deviant acts. (Agnew, 1992)
Robert Agnew’s revisions of the strain theory address many of the criticisms of the original strain theory. According to the original strain theory, an
References: LaCunninghamst, M. (2006, August 23). Self - control crime theory. Retrieved from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/53216/self_control_crime_theory.html?cat=17 Wikström &Treiber, L.K. (2007, April). The role of self-control in crime causation. Retrieved from http://euc.sagepub.com/content/4/2/237.abstract Agnew, R. (1992). Robert Agnew’s general strain theory. Retrieved from http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/agnew.htm Agnew, Robert, Francis Cullen, Velmer Burton, T. David Evans, and B. Gregory Dunawayast, Initials. (1996). A new test of classic strain theory. Justice quarterly. . Retrieved from http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/agnew.htm Baron, Stephen, W. (2003). Journal of research in crime and delinquency. 40(4), 405-425. doi: 10.1177/0022427803256071... Retrieved from http://jrc.sagepub.com/content/40/4/403.short R Agnew, T Brezina, JP Wright. Criminology, (2002). Strain, personality traits, and Delinquency: Extending General Strain Theory. 40: 43–72. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-9125.2002.tb00949. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2002.tb00949.x/abstract Theoretical Criminology February (2004) vol. 8 no. 1 33-55...doi: 10.1177/1362480604039740. Retrieved from http://tcr.sagepub.com/content/8/1/33.refs Robert J. Sampson and John H. Laub (2003), Handbook of the Life Course Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research, Desistance from Crime over the Life Course IV, C, 295-309, DOI: 10.1007/978-0-306-48247-2_14 Retrieved from http://www.springerlink.com/content/m60m8r163971kq17/references/ Jang SJ. Gender Differences in Strain, Negative Emotions, and Coping Behaviors: A General Strain Theory Approach. Justice Quarterly. 2007;24:523–553 Agnew, Robert. (1995a). Controlling delinquency: recommendations from general strain theory. In Barlow, Hugh D. (ed.). Crime and public policy: putting theory to work. (pp. 43-70). Boulder: Westview