Strain Theory

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Robert Agnew is known for his general strain theory. The theory explains that the basis of people getting involved in criminal activity is because of strain. If someone becomes upset, frustrated, depressed, or mistreated they will turn to crime in order to deal with the feelings. Yet, not all people turn to crime in order to deal with strain or stressors. There are different ways to measure strain. Subjective strains are those strains that are disliked by particular person or group. This approached is aimed at how the person reacts to the way they are treated. The second approach is called the objective view. During this approach the researches will as individuals how much they would dislike a specific event. Strains come in three major forms according to Agnew.

Failure to achieve positive positively valued stimuli can cause strain. Not being able to reach a certain goal can cause some strain. According to Simpson (2002), “Strain theory argues that juveniles can pursue a variety of goals” (p. 108). Having a lot of Money, a nice car, good clothing, are among the goals. Furthermore obtaining respect and being treated in a good manner is what juveniles strive for. Juveniles want freedom and they want autonomy from their older peers. That is to say, they don’t like to be told what to do they much rather have a say and freedom to make their own decisions (Simpson, 2000). Several juveniles can’t achieve these goals because they don’t have the money to go buy clothes or they don’t get treated fairly by others. Then juveniles feel that, “Their parents and teachers try to control things such as how they dress, how late they stay out, and with whom they associate” (Simpson, 2000, p.109).

Removing the loss of positively valued stimuli i...

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NG, C., & Lowe, B. (2012, February 27). Chardon high school shooting left . Retrieved from http://gma.yahoo.com/chardon-high-school-shooting-left-friends-laying-over-140607825--abc-news.html

CBS news. (2012, March 6). Ohio teen tj lane in court over shooting deaths . Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57391782/ohio-teen-tj-lane-in-court-over-

Ngo, F. , Paternoster, R. , Cullen, F. , & Mackenzie, D. (2011). Life domains and crime: A test of agnew's general theory of crime and delinquency. Journal of Criminal Justice, 39(4), 302.

Polizzi, D. (2011). Agnew’s general strain theory reconsidered: A phenomenological perspective. International Journal of Offender Therapy & Comparative Criminology, 55(7), 1051.

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