What is strain theory?
Strain theory holds that crime and deviance arise from a gap between the goals a society values and the legitimate means to achieve them, or from stresses (strains) that individuals experience. It began with sociologist Robert Merton’s 1938 article "Social Structure and Anomie" and was extended by Robert Agnew’s general strain theory in 1992.
- Meaning
- Goal–means gaps or personal strains produce deviance
- Origin
- Merton’s anomie theory (1938)
- Extension
- Agnew’s general strain theory (1992)
- Focus
- How social structure and emotions lead to crime
Merton’s anomie theory
Merton argued that American society stresses the cultural goal of wealth and success for everyone, while institutional means such as education and good jobs are unequally distributed. This gap produces anomie, a weakening of norms.
| Mode of adaptation | Cultural goals | Institutional means | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conformity | Accept | Accept | Pursue success through study and work |
| Innovation | Accept | Reject | Pursue wealth through fraud or theft |
| Ritualism | Reject | Accept | Give up on success but follow rules mechanically |
| Retreatism | Reject | Reject | Withdraw from society (e.g. substance addiction) |
| Rebellion | Reject and replace | Reject and replace | Pursue social movements or systemic change |
Agnew’s general strain theory
Why do only some people who face the same hardship turn to crime? Agnew broadened strain beyond failure to achieve goals to include the loss of valued things (a breakup, a family death) and the presence of negative stimuli (abuse, bullying). He argued that strains generate negative emotions such as anger, and that delinquency becomes more likely when legitimate coping strategies and support are lacking.
Family and peer support, problem-solving skills and self-control can therefore change outcomes under the same strain.
Juvenile delinquency and policy
Strain theory supports prevention efforts that reduce academic pressure, family problems and victimization, and that strengthen coping resources. Compare restorative justice, labeling theory and broken windows theory.
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Criticisms
Merton’s theory explains lower-class property crime well but struggles with white-collar and violent crime, and with the many people who experience strain without offending. General strain theory is an attempt to address these gaps.
Frequently asked questions
- What is strain theory?
- A theory that crime and deviance arise from gaps between social goals and legitimate means, or from strains individuals experience.
- What are Merton’s five modes of adaptation?
- Conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion.
- How does general strain theory differ?
- It broadens sources of strain to include loss and abuse and emphasizes negative emotions such as anger as the path to delinquency.
References
- Merton, R. K. (1938). Social structure and anomie. American Sociological Review, 3(5), 672–682.
- Agnew, R. (1992). Foundation for a general strain theory of crime and delinquency. Criminology, 30(1), 47–87.