Criticisms of Merton’s Strain Theory, Lecture notes of Criminology

Download Criticisms of Merton’s Strain Theory and more Lecture notes Criminology in PDF only on Docsity! Criticisms of Merton’s Strain Theory (Individual Level)  Is crime a “lower class” phenomena?  Cannot explain “expressive” crimes  Weak empirical support  Why do people “adapt” to strain in different ways? Agnew (1992): General Strain Theory  Overhaul of Merton’s Strain Theory  Three types of strain – Failure to achieve valued goals – Removal of valued stimuli – Can’t escape noxious stimuli  Commonality? All produce negative emotional states/feelings – Put a “charge” into people, motivate reactions Agnew (GST)  StrainNegative Affective States – Anger, fear, frustration, depression – Can lead to all sorts of delinqeuncy (not just economic crimes) • Illegitamate channels for success (burglary, robbery) • Attack or escape adversity (assault, truancy) • Manage through drugs/alcohol  BUT, how do people react to these states? – Merton: modes of adaptation, but why rebel vs. innovate vs. ritualism? – Agnew: it depends on “coping ability” Coping Strategies  Cognitive options – “it’s not important,” “it’s not that bad,” “I deserve it”  Behavioral options – constructively reduce strain, seek positive solution  Factors that facilitate coping – intelligence, problem-solving skills, creativity…  Factors that inhibit coping – delinquent peers, criminal disposition, weak social bonds, weak moral beliefs... Agnew (GST)  Tests of GST are favorable  But, is it “STRAIN” or something else? – Very different from Merton – Is this theory a theory of “Strain” or a theory of “STRESS?”