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Strain Theory

Strain Theory. What do you do when bad things happen?. Peer insults you for wearing cheap clothes A parent abuses you physically You fail a test you studied for Your partner dumps you Your dad dies suddenly Your parents get a divorce. Agnew’s Strain Theory. Blocked goals motivate crime

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Strain Theory

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  1. Strain Theory

  2. What do you do when bad things happen? • Peer insults you for wearing cheap clothes • A parent abuses you physically • You fail a test you studied for • Your partner dumps you • Your dad dies suddenly • Your parents get a divorce

  3. Agnew’s Strain Theory • Blocked goals motivate crime • Goals that may be blocked include • Money • Good grades • Masculine status & respect • Corrective action that may be taken • Theft, drug dealing, prostitution • Cheating on exams • Violence to demonstrate toughness, power, control

  4. Social Pressure To Deviate • Our society makes it easier for some people to achieve success by following rules, but looks down on those who give up

  5. The American Dream • Goals • Means

  6. Merton’s (1938) Strain Theory:A Critique of U.S. Society • Tension between success goals and available means • We all want wealth, but our ability to achieve it varies by social class • The goal of success reins supreme • Relatively few moral costs for rule breaking

  7. A Theory ofDeviant Motivation • We are all naturally law-abiding, if given the chance • We break rules when we experience strain • Strain originates in our social experience

  8. Merton’s Adaptations to Strain

  9. Cloward and Ohlin (1960):Illegitimate Opportunities Retreatists are “double losers” or “double failures”

  10. Albert K. Cohen (1955)Oppositional Subculture • Explain non-utilitarian delinquency • Lower class youth fail to achieve middle class standards (the “middle class measuring rod”) • Status problem solved within the gang • Status redefined in opposition to middle class standards (not completely separate) • Reaction formation – reject what you want but can’t have – middle class values upside down

  11. Why does strain cause crime? • Strain causes negative emotions • Anger, frustration, depression, anxiety • Negative emotions create a pressure for corrective action that motivates crime • Immediate situation • Long-term cumulative effects

  12. Messner and Rosenfeld (1994)Institutional Anomie Theory • The American Dream causes crime • Overemphasizes competition and success • Underemphasizes responsibility to others • Institutional balance of power • Relations of mutual dependence between economy, family, education, religion • Institutional anomie • The economy has supplanted the family, education, and religion as the dominant institution (and source of values)

  13. Implications ofInstitutional Anomie • Economic efficiency norms dominate • Means-ends thinking applied in all areas of life • Non-economic institutions are penetrated • Families adopt an exchange mentality • Dual income families • Economic social roles bring most status • Other social roles de-valued (stay-at-home-moms)

  14. ExplainingCrime and Deviance • Robbery • Cheating on exams • Date rape • Spouse or child abuse • Vandalism by youth • Alcohol or drug abuse • Drug dealing

  15. Policy Implicationsof Strain Theory • Equalize opportunities for success • Provide job and education programs • Affirmative action • De-emphasize material success goals • Change the institutional balance between family, religion, and economy • Emphasize playing by the rules • Reward sportsmanship over winning • Help people treat each other better • Reduce grievances & disputes

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