Social Strain Theory Paper

There are a large numbers of social, and environmental factors believed to influence deviant behavior. These factors include family, communities, schools, peer groups, poverty, and socioeconomic situations, many behaviorists believe that values and social expectations as well as learning and social experiences dictate behavior, for example, widely read social learning theorist Albert Bandura, Walter Miscel, and Richard Walters feel that children will model behaviors based on reactions from others. (Siegal, L.J. 2014) Social learning theories support the idea that delinquent behavior is learned. It holds that most children can resist temptations to commit crime if they have proper values and behaviors, however delinquent behaviors can be learned

Social disorganization focuses on environmental conditions, such as deteriorated neighborhoods, inadequate social control and conflicting social control. Social control institutions such as family schools and community break down and lead to conflict and despair which allows antisocial behavior to flourish. (Siegal, 2010)

Strain Theory focuses on the conflict between goals means for example uneven distribution of wealth and power, frustration with one’s situation in society and an alternative method to achieve goals. Strain theorist believe that most Americans want power material possessions, wealth and prestige, however lower classes can’t achieve these goals by the more conventional means therefore they may choose other means of achieving these goals such as theft violence or drug trafficking.

The cultural deviance theory is a combination of disorganization and strain theories. When a person is the product off social disorganization they become frustrated or strained with the situation they find themselves in and therefore conform to values of the subculture as opposed to those of general society. One good example of this would be gangs. (Siegal,