Evaluate the contribution of strain theories to the understanding of crime and deviance Merton (1938) believes that there is consensus within the society regarding the goals‚ and the structure of society has an impact on why people commit crime. As stated in item B‚ ‘Strain theories focus on the ways in which people may resort to crime or deviance when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means.’ This is proved by Merton as he argues that there are five types of subcultures
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Individuals who experience these strains become upset‚ and they may turn to crime in an effort to cope. Crime may be a way to reduce or escape from strains. For example‚ individuals may steal the money they want or run away from the parents who abuse them. Crime may be used to seek revenge against the source of strain or related targets. For example‚ individuals may assault the peers who harass them. Crime also may be used to alleviate negative emotions; for example‚ individuals may engage in illicit
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sophisticated theories to explain why school shootings occur is a new area of research and before the 1990s‚ few theories on school rampage shootings existed (Rocque‚ 2012). In examining theories to address this health issue‚ consideration will be given to “Cumulative Strain Theory” to explain how school shootings occur and “Attachment Theory” to address the recovery of victimized youth in the wake of a school shooting. Cumulative Strain Theory. In 2009‚ Cumulative Strain Theory‚ which combines Strain Theory
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commit crimes? Why do they steal‚ rape‚ and murder? There are many suggestions as to why people commit crimes‚ especially in impoverished areas. One of the more common and sensible explanations for this phenomenon is that of Merton’s Strain Theory. Merton’s strain theory is fairly straightforward in its application. It explores the idea that many people who commit crimes in impoverished areas do not do so out of maliciousness or simply because they can. Rather‚ they commit these crimes because they
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The Strain Theory is distinguished from social control and differential association/social learning theory. Agnew‚ 1992‚ states that there are significant amount crimes that are committed everyday by the hands of adolescent and young adults. The Strain theory helps to establish understand the important of choices and consequence. Violent has many consequences that can affect all racial and ethnic groups (Agnew‚ 1992). The negative impact that is affect by the choices that we make and allow to overcome
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people commit crime in an effort to address it appropriately. There are many theories that have emerged from different perspectives of criminal behavior. Rational choice theory states that people generally act in their self-interest and make decisions to commit crime. This means that people are living in such a way that knowingly disobeys law and order while thinking of the consequences at hand. Social disorganization theory believes that a person’s social environment is responsible for their criminal
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termed this theory as Strain theories. These theories are amid the first candidly sociological explanation of the sources of deviant behavior. The theory seeks to in-depth and better understand deviance by centering on social patterns and structures that emerge as either groups or individuals react to conditions in which in the real sense
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their surroundings cause strain in their life and force them to partake in illegal behavior. However‚ some of the actions taken are less serious than others like: a teen speeding on the street to make curfew or stealing from a store to pay your rent. The actions of speeding can have a dramatic effect such as getting pulled over for drunk driving and having your parents find out and making them miss bills due to bailing you out. These illegal actions taken were due to the strain put upon the individual
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reasons why juveniles commit crimes and act up. Some of these can be explained by theories or in other words educated guesses. Although theories are only educated guesses they can be used to decide why juvenile delinquents come through the court systems. Theories can be helpful in determining why children or teenagers become a criminal. It also helps to determine what can help deter crimes by juveniles. In this essay theories will be explained that could fit some of the children in the following case studies
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Robert Merton’s structural strain theory‚ Kohlberg’s morality scale‚ tragedy of the commons‚ and Walter Mischel’s theory of delayed gratification‚ it can be proved that the United States Criminal Justice system is flawed. In the theory of structural strain‚ there two overall categories: institutionalised means and cultural goals‚ and five smaller categories: conformity‚ innovation‚ ritualism‚ retreatism‚ and rebellion. (Structural Strain Theory‚ 06-14-16). Structural strain is the pressure of society
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