Strain theory and serial killers professional#
They are suitable for everyone from undergraduates through professional criminologists. 2009 are among the better overviews of strain theoryeach with particular strengths described below. Much evidence suggests that the strains identified by GST increase the likelihood of crime, although the predictions of GST about the types of people most likely to respond to these strains with crime have received less support.
It has also been applied to many types of crime and deviance, including corporate crime, police deviance, bullying, suicide, terrorism, and eating disorders. GST has been applied to a range of topics, including the explanation of gender, raceethnicity, age, community, and societal differences in crime rates. GST focuses on a broad range of strains, including the inability to achieve a variety of goals, the loss of valued possessions, and negative treatment by others. Robert Agnew developed his general strain theory (GST) in 1992, and it has since become the leading version of strain theory and one of the major theories of crime. There were several attempts to revise strain theory, most arguing that crime may result from the inability to achieve a range of goalsnot just monetary success or middle-class status. The major versions of strain theory describe 1) the particular strains most likely to lead to crime, 2) why strains increase crime, and 3) the factors that lead a person to or dissuade a person from responding to strains with crime.Īll strain theories acknowledge that only a minority of strained individuals turn to crime.Įmile Durkheim developed the first modern strain theory of crime and deviance, but Mertons classic strain theory and its offshoots came to dominate criminology during the middle part of the 20th century.Ĭlassic strain theory fell into decline during the 1970s and 1980s, partly because research appeared to challenge it. Crime may be used to reduce or escape from strain, seek revenge against the source of strain or related targets, or alleviate negative emotions.įor example, individuals experiencing chronic unemployment may engage in theft or drug selling to obtain money, seek revenge against the person who fired them, or take illicit drugs in an effort to feel better.
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