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Strain Theories - CRIM 360: Advanced Criminological Theory
Objectives & Outline
Discuss the theoretical origins and early “strain” theorists.
Outline the basic tenets of Merton’s Strain Theory.
Outline the basic tenets of Agnew’s General Strain Theory.
Discuss the implications of strain theories.
Early Theorists
Concern over increasing crime rates led to questioning the relationship between social structure and crime.
August Comte: First to apply the scientific method for understanding social factors, emphasizing social determinism and rejecting free will.
Adolphe Quetelet: Analyzed crime statistics and noted that specific demographics (young, poor, uneducated, unemployed men) were more likely to commit crimes.
Relative Deprivation: Inequality between members of society is more crucial than absolute wealth.
Areas with greater inequality exhibit higher crime rates.
Noted that rapid economic changes correlated with increased crime.
Crime is a product of social organization and can guide social reforms to address inequalities.
Durkheim & Anomie
Developed a theory based on economic development and labor distribution transitioning from mechanical to organic societies.
Mechanical Societies: Characterized by uniformity and shared functions; laws enforce conformity and reinforce collective conscience.
Organic Societies: Exhibit specialized roles, leading to weakened collective conscience (anomie) and increased risk of antisocial behavior.
Key Transitions:
From simple to complex division of labor.
From laws that enforce conformity to those regulating interactions.
Classic Strain Theories
Early theorists influenced the development of strain theories emphasizing frustration as a key factor in criminal behavior, differing in causes and reactions to strain.
Robert K. Merton: Noted the impact of the economy during the Great Depression on social factors, particularly crime.
The American Dream: Emphasizes hard work leading to financial success, but highlights unrealistic expectations for achieving goals.
Strain is seen as the negative emotions from failing to achieve goals through accepted means.
Modes of adaptation include conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.
Merton’s Strain Theory
Modes of Adaptation:
Conformity: Accepts goals and means (e.g., average citizens).
Innovation: Accepts societal goals but rejects means (e.g., criminals seeking success through illegal means like theft).
Ritualism: Rejects the goal of wealth but accepts means (e.g., individuals who continue to work without ambition).
Retreatism: Rejects both goals and means (e.g., social dropouts, substance abusers).
Rebellion: Substitutes new goals and means, often through disruptive actions (e.g., revolutionaries).
Agnew’s General Strain Theory
Extends strain theories to all social classes and considers frustrations from a broader scope including both negative stimuli and loss of positive stimuli.
Three Sources of Strain:
Failure to achieve positively valued goals (e.g., income, status).
Presence of noxious stimuli (e.g., abuse).
Removal of positive stimuli (e.g., job loss).
Negative emotional responses (anger/frustration) can lead to crime when healthy coping mechanisms are unavailable.
Implications of Strain Theories
Strategies for reducing strain in society include:
Improving educational and vocational opportunities: Making resources accessible reduces youth reoffending rates.
Intervention programs: Pre-school initiatives and stress management programs to provide coping mechanisms.
Addressing broad social issues: Tackling global deprivation, inequality, and poverty can mitigate crime.
Questions?
Open to discussion and clarification on the covered topics.