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Agnew's General Strain Theory Analysis

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Many theories attempt to explain why individuals commit crime and delinquency acts. Sociologists and criminologists alike utilize empirical evidence to support theories that best explain criminal and deviant behavior. Criminology theories introduced decades ago continue to be hypothesized and tested with current and relevant data to disprove, support, and build upon traditional criminology theories. One such theory, Agnew’s General Strain Theory (GST), was derived from classic strain theory ideas developed from such criminologists as Merton, Cohen, Cloward, and Ohlin who implied that “blocked opportunities to attain successful goals generate a pressure that leads to criminality” (Froggio, 2007, p. 383). Since being introduced in 1992, GST continues …show more content…

656).
In other words, anger is the outcome when individuals attribute their misfortunes or problems onto others or external circumstances. Hoffmann and Spense (2010) argued that when strain is blamed on an external factor (e.g., parent, teacher, economic disadvantages, etc.), youth are more likely to get angry enough to react in delinquent ways whereas, youth that do not blame the strain on others or external circumstances do not tend to get angry enough to engage in criminal offenses.
The strong connection between anger and unjust treatment has been the focus in many studies. Scheuerman’s (2013) research indicated that anger is the mediator between the relationship of injustice and crime. Two separate studies conducted by Brezina indicated that anger motivates youth to commit delinquent acts because they feel their autonomy is jeopardized or their esteemed stimuli is in need of being guarded or recovered (Hoffman & Spense, 2010). GST Policy …show more content…

Decrease exposure to strain. Although it is impossible to eliminate all exposure to strain, by focusing on the strains identified by GST’s strain criteria (e.g., unjust, high in magnitude, low in social control, create pressure or incentive to engage in crime), policy interventions can be implemented in an attempt to decrease identified strains (Agnew, 2013). For example, parent training and school based programs can be instituted to reduce the strain disciplinary actions are enforced to adolescents and decrease the potential for criminal

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