7c - Anomie _ Strain _.003_ _2-25-2025_

Anomie & Strain Theories

Chapter Overview

• Department: Criminal Justice & Criminology, Loyola University Chicago

• Date: 1870

Robert Agnew

• Position: Professor Emeritus, Emory University

• Recognition: Sutherland Award (2015), American Society of Criminology

• Contribution: General Strain Theory

Agnew’s Contribution to Strain Theory (1992)

Overview

• Adaptation of anomie into a micro-level theory of crime.

Types of Strain

• 1. Inability to reach positively valued goals

  • Insufficient legitimate means to achieve cultural goals (inspired by Merton, 1938).

• 2. Removal of positively valued stimuli

• 3. Introduction of negatively valued stimuli

Experience of Strain

Forms of Strain

• Direct Strain

  • Subjective Strain: Individually experienced; e.g., perception is reality.

  • Objective Strain: Universally stressful events; e.g., violence, death of a loved one.

• Vicarious Strain

  • Witnessing others’ strains.

• Anticipated Strain

  • Risk and/or fear of potential strains.

Consequences of Strain

• Strains can lead to increased negative emotions such as frustration and anger.

• Adaptations to alleviate strain and emotions include:

  • Engaging in crime as one of many coping mechanisms.

• Important considerations:

  • What increases or decreases the likelihood of criminal coping?

Factors Influencing Criminal Coping

Factors That Lower Risk of Criminal Coping

• Access to Legitimate Coping Mechanisms

  • Activities like exercise, sports, prayer/meditation, or music.

• Internal Constraints

  • Beliefs, self-control, and self-efficacy.

• External Constraints

  • Influence from peers, family, teachers, or coaches.

Factors That Increase Risk of Criminal Coping

• Strain Factors

  • Magnitude, recency, duration, and clustering of strain.

  • Perception of injustice regarding strains.

• Conditioning Factors

  • Individual Factors: Temperament, intelligence, and interpersonal skills.

  • Social Factors: Availability of coping resources and support (conventional vs. antisocial).

Upcoming Tests and Schedule

• Test 1: Scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27th, covering Chapters 8-9.

• Next Week: No class for Spring Break (March 4th & 6th).

• Future Reading Assignment: Chapter 5 – Social Learning Theory for March 11th.

Test 2 Format Information

• Test Date: Thursday, Feb. 27th, 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM

• Total Points: 100 points, it is the second of four tests.

• Instructions: In-class test; bring a black or blue pen or pencil; no notes or textbook allowed.