General Strain Theory

By applying both classical and strain theory to the crime problem of drug trafficking we can identify and compare their strengths to evaluate which theory is more useful in explaining this crime. Starting with Classical theory, this theory holds some strengths in relation to this crime problem, namely, it’s easy applicability/transferability and the clear definiteness of their answers. Classical theory is able to provide definite answers and solutions to drug trafficking (i.e. it was individual A who committed the crime, the law violated in response to this crime is this, and the violation of this law carries the pre-determined punishment of this) without having to apply consideration for such variables as mitigating circumstances since the

What is crime? What makes people commit crimes and how can we stop it? These, and many other questions similar to these, are asked by criminologists everyday. Criminology is an ever growing field, mainly because there is more and more research occurring and new theories linking people and crime coming out everyday. Below the main field of criminology there are many subfields that have different theories and philosophies on what they believe link criminal behavior. Two of the main criminology perspectives are Classical Criminology and Positivist Criminology. Although these two are both studied in the criminology field, their views are distinctly contradictory from each other. These two theories and many

Criminology is the scientific study of the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior (Siegel 4). Criminology is not just understanding criminal actions but also studying how to correct and prevent crime, overall. There are five major Criminological theories, (1) Classical Theory, (2) Positivist Theory, (3) Marxist / Conflict Theory, (4) Sociological Theory, and (5) Multifactor / Integrated Theory.

In the above context, criminology therefore refers to the scientific approach to studying criminal behavior. Apparently, every crime committed is usually motivated by different factors. For instance, some people end up committing offenses due to the inability to control their anger while others become overwhelmed by their greed. Criminology is therefore the body of knowledge regarding crime as a social phenomenon. Not only does it examine criminal activities but also explores the process of making laws, breaking laws and how the society reacts towards breaking of laws. The sole objective of criminology is to explain all the general and verified principles as well as any type of knowledge regarding this process of law, crime and treatment.

In criminology, is very important to study why people commit crime when deciding how crime should be handled and prevented. This type of study is known as criminal profiling. Many theories have developed over the years, and they continue to be researched, alone and in combination, as criminologists seek the best solutions in reducing specific types and levels of crime. While all crime theories are designed to try to explain and understand criminal activity and the people that commit them, it is an ongoing science. No one theory can define all crime. However, it can be used usefully to help us understand crime a little better and help criminologists find new ways to deal with and eliminate criminal behavior. I am going to discuss one

Exploring the role of negative emotions among murderers in a population of federal offenders: the General Strain Theory

Furthermore it states that humans, being conformists readily buy into these notions. However, access to the means for achieving these goals is not equally available to everyone. Some have the education, social network and family influence to attain these goals. The socially and economically disadvantaged do not have the opportunity, education or necessary social network for attaining material wealth and economic or political power. Thus the strain theory predicts that crime occurs when there is a perceived discrepancy between these goals and the legitimate means for reaching them. Individuals who experience a high level of this strain are forced to decide whether to violate laws to achieve these goals, to give up on the goals pushed upon them by society, or to withdraw or rebel.

In the 1980’s, Criminologist, Robert Agnew, presented his theory of general strain, in which he covers a range of negative behaviors, especially how adolescents deal with stresses of strain. General strain theory focuses on the source, such as anything that changes in the individual’s life that causes strain. His theory provides a different outlook on social control and social learning theory for two reasons: the type of social relationship that leads to delinquency and the motivation for the delinquency (Agnew, 1992). He states that certain strains and stresses increase the likelihood for crime such as economic deprivation, child abuse, and discrimination. These factors can cause an increase of crime through a range of negative emotions. For some people it can take a lot of willpower to take a corrective action and try to deter away from committing crime in a way that they can relieve these negative emotions. When people cannot cope with the stresses of the strain, they turn to crime as a coping mechanism. Agnew also states, that not all people that experience the stresses of strain will go forward to committing crime and live a deviant life.

Theories of criminology were developed centuries ago so people can go in depth to seek what cause crime and why. In some cases these theories can eve go to the extent to prevent the crimes from happening again. Over the years more theories have been developed and the theories that have already been developed have been added to so they fit a larger spectrum. What cause a person to commit a crime and why would they commit a certain crime over another? These theories that have been developed give us an insight to the answer of these questions. These theories are used so Criminologist can have a better understanding of crime such as the Ferguson, Missouri riots that took place after the August of 2014.

My research question that I intend to explore is: How do the following strains listed in Robert Agnew’s strain theories affect people who are already mentally disabled or incapacitated to react in a way that society considers deviant? The strains I am going to focus on are: Abusive peer relations, work in secondary labor markets, unemployment, criminal victimization, parental rejection and homelessness – Agnew (2012) (p.655). Hart, Keith, Peterson, Skeem & Vidal (2010) It is estimated that 14%-31% of offenders have mental illnesses (p. 1217), which is up to a third of people who are incarcerated, being able to correlate factors that attribute to their motivations could possibly be helpful in preventing them to occur early on with

In this essay, I we be discussing the importance criminology has on the criminal justice system, criminology involves conducting research and studying social and physical factors of why people commit crimes and end up in our prisons. criminologists work is important as their work aids in developing a society that is less prone to acts of criminality and deviance, protecting society. My primary focus will be on why we have prisons, looking at the type of people we find in them, what may cause them to end up there. Following up with how criminologists respond to the obvious problems. I will be supporting my answer by providing statistics and presenting criminological theories throughout.

Criminology is a subject that covers an enormous variety of topics, but one common theme that can be found in most is the issue of morality. Personal and societal morals affect what is considered criminal, and the extent of criminality. Most illegal actions are deemed as such because they clash with moral values. When studying criminology, it is important to also observe how crime is viewed in society, who crime affects and how victims of crime are impacted, and why crimes and victims are viewed in the ways they are.

Strain theory suggested that crime is kind of adaptation to strain (Cullen & Wilcox, 2010). Merton (1938) highlighted that individuals who are unable to attain conventional goals through legitimate means, like attaining higher status by having a good job, may give up on legitimate means (Fox & Levin, 2014). They may turn to attain their “success” by engaging in criminal behaviors (Fox & Levin, 2014). Agnew (1992) added that difficulties met in social relationships at home and school can lead to frustration, anger and ultimately to criminal behaviors (Cullen & Wilcox, 2010). Hence, criminal’s motive is probably stemmed from their frustration and strain.

Criminologist breaks down crime in three ways Biological, Psychological, and lastly Sociological. The very first era that crime began to be discussed was during the Middle Ages, that’s when many people believed that people could not conform to what was considered normal thinking of their society, where these people were labeled as witches or even possessed by what they may call satanic entities. Siegel (2010). The very beginning of criminology was noted with classical school of thought with Jeremy Bentham and Cesare Beccaria. Cesare theorized that crimes is in fact a product of what we call a ration choice or decision which can ultimately be controlled with certain methods.

As a discipline criminology relies on other related field in others to establish the nature cause extent and control of criminal behaviour on an individual and societal level. In committing of a crime alot of speculation will be drawn on the individual base on the the two school of thought. The classical school who upheld the belief that the punishment of a crime should be no more or less severe as neccessary while the provitist school will focus on the criminal biological features to interpre the cause of his deviant behaviour. The aim and objectives of both school although different from a cohesive picture both aim at developing an understanding of crime through studying and analyzing of human behaviour and social institution with some hope of reducing crime. Criminolghy key task is developing an understanding committ crime by developing theories, doing research analysing statistic and present evidence or explanantion . there studies often discredit society common sense understanding of crime. however commom understading ofcrime is not always refuted but sometimes use as a base for research. Society relies on several sources to draw a common sense understanding of crime , one such source is gathered from a individual perpesctive base on their own experience or those of others. the media is another source that an individual relies on to gather common sense understanding although it consider to be valuable source of information it should be treated with sceptism as it is tempting for an individual to read and article and assume it to be true. views express by others such as