Strain theory was originally pioneered by Robert K. Merton and it was later expanded on by Robert Agnew. Merton’s strain theory argues that individuals engage in deviant or criminal behavior when they cannot achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means (Merton‚ 1938). Essentially‚ deviance is the result of the strain that individuals feel from not being able to achieve their goals through legitimate means. Merton used the American Dream ideology to explain his theory. For example‚ the American
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There are programs that are created specifically to address a youth’s exposure to negative stimuli and to help them develop coping strategies and better behavior (Piquero & Sealock‚ 2000). Agnew and his generalized strain theory also have some options for how to deal with these particular types of crimes and the people behind them. These options involve cognitive‚ emotional‚ and behavioral strategies to help the individual cope better. The cognitive side deals with the
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Agnew’s general strain theory is an extension on Merton’s strain theory. This theory argues there are three sources of strain: failure to achieve positive goals‚ introduction of negative stimuli‚ and the removal of positive stimuli. These sources and lead to an affective state classified by depression‚ anger‚ disappointment‚ and a withdrawn state. This can also lead to antisocial behaviors like drug and alcohol use‚ violence and dropping out of school. Agnew’s theory can be seen in Nicole’s scenario
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Merton used Durkheim’s concept of anomie to form his own theory‚ called Strain Theory. Merton argued that anomie is not created by dramatic social change‚ but rather by a social structure that holds the same goals to all its members without giving them equal means to achieve them. Merton stated that all members of a capitalist society have goals such as "wealth‚ status and personal happiness"‚ (Merton‚ 1938) and that the means available to achieve this success are unevenly distributed throughout
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Strain theory would argue that Loera did not have the culturally accepted means in order to achieve the culturally accepted goals. This in turn causes Joaquin Guzman Loera to experience strain. As a result of this strain‚ Loera would have to adapt to one of the five adaptions that Merton talks about. Merton’s innovation adaptation mentions that individuals embrace success‚ but turn to illegitimate means to achieve it (Merton‚ 1939). Loera definitely falls within the innovation adaptation category
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Chapter 4 of Lilly‚ Cullen & Ball mainly focuses on Robert Merton and his theories of Anomie and Strain Theories. Merton wanted to theorize the root of social deviance. He did not reject the thoughts of the Chicago school theorists of Sutherland‚ Shaw and McKay‚ but however he did suggest that other factors were involved in such as conditions essential to society and not just in the slums‚ was the center point of the nation’s crime and deviance. He thought the “American Dream”‚ “a message sent
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The strain theory states that deviance is more likely to occur when a gap exists between cultural goals and the ability to achieve these goals by legitimate means. To get a decent job in today’s society requires a college degree. The average four year degree is almost $10‚000 just for tuition. We are expected to start school at a young age‚ keep up with homework‚ extracurricular activities‚ chores‚ and keep a job to pay for future expenses. It is extremely hard to earn enough money to pay for your
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In the field of criminology‚ social learning theories and anomie/strain theories make up a good chunk of the most well-known theories in this discipline. Social learning theories discuss how criminal behavior is learned through interactions‚ knowledge‚ and values. It discusses how criminal behavior is a set of general needs‚ but it also recognizes that all behaviors have a similar foundation. Anomie/strain theories focus on how anomie is a sense of normalness and without said normalness a person’s
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explore the contributory factors proposed by established theories in determining the causation of crime. In order to achieve this‚ one psychological and sociological approach will be selected from the many available to enable providing an analysis to establish the fundamentals behind each concept in to explaining the reasons why criminal and deviant behaviours occurs The first concept to be evaluated is Robert K Merton’s (1938) Strain Theory‚ ‘Social Structure and Anomie.’ Its composition is a functionalist
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The concept behind strain theory is that when there’s a gap between what society wants such as wealth or success and the means to these things are difficult‚ individuals might feel strained and feel the need to use shortcuts to obtain these riches in life. This tension could result in deviant actions because people are attempting to reach these desired objectives using unorthodox or non-accepted means. This strain is caused by individuals’ inability to achieve their
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