Contribution of Robert Agnew 1992 In Causation of Crimes

• General Strain theory (GST) is a part of the social structure theories of crime, which
“fit the positivist mode in that they contend that these social forces push or influence
people to commit crime”.
• According to Agnew (1992) “Strain theory is distinguished from social control and
social learning theory in its specification of
(1) the type of social relationship that leads to delinquency
(2) the motivation for delinquency”
• General Strain Theory, strain is based on three different factors:
(1) failure to achieve a goal,
(2) the existence of harmful impulses,
(3) the removal of positive impulses
• Compared to Merton’s explanations of anomie theory, the General Strain Theory
provides a broader view of the causes of stress.
• According to Agnew there are three main reasons for deviance-producing strain:
(1) The failure to achieve a goal (e.g. good grades)
(2) The removal of positive impulses (e.g. death of a parent, end of relationship)
(3) The existence of harmful impulses (e.g. school problems)
• Implications for a criminal policy: First of all, it can be assumed that General Strain
Theory, as a theory related to Merton’s considerations of good social policy with the
possibility of achieving his individual (e.g. material) goals, is also related to good
social policy.
• Secondly, due to a certain approximation to the control and attachment theories,
Agnew’s criminal policy implications must also be taken into account: The loss of
positive stimuli and the experience of negative stimuli are mostly changes within the
individual social environment or can at least be reinforced or prevented by it.
• Finally, the coping strategies mentioned in the Strain Theory allow for another form
of crime prevention: Since the decisive factors for committing a criminal act are
ultimately anger and frustration, it must be the task of (re-)socialization programs to
learn alternative ways of thinking and behaving that prevent or at least contain the
emergence of such emotions.
• With the General Strain Theory, Agnew has succeeded in expanding anomie theory,
which is limited to lower class crime, and in combining it with other theoretical
concepts such as social control, social disorganisation and emotions.
• The almost multifactorial nature of the theory, however, leads to the unavoidable
question of what is ultimately the decision criterion for behaving differently due to
adverse circumstances or for remaining compliant despite a whole range of negative
factors in one’s individual environment.
• PARENTAL STRAIN AS A SOURCE OF POOR PARENTING: Data suggest that many
of the types of strain or stress identified in GST are a major source of those parenting
practices that contribute to delinquency.
• Data suggest that delinquency is more likely when: (a) there is a weak or negative emotional
bond between parents and children, and (b) parental supervision is lax, overly strict,
inconsistent, and/or harsh (i.e., excessive given the infraction, physically or verbally abusive).
• POOR PARENTING AS A SOURCE OF JUVENILE STRAIN: Poor parenting is a major
source of juvenile strain and that such strain is an important cause of both negative emotions
and delinquency.
• Poor supervision, then, may increase the likelihood that juveniles experience a range
of harms or strains. In particular, juveniles who are not effectively supervised may be
more likely to interact with others who harm them, be in situations where the
likelihood of harm is high, engage in behaviors that harm themselves, and act in ways
that evoke negative or harmful reactions from others.
• General Strain theory developed a method of explaining crime in relation to the strain
people deal with in their daily lives. While Agnew is credited with GST, it is
important to note the key people in history who have helped develop the broader
strain perspective that it elaborates.
• Strain is more likely to lead to crime among individuals with poor copying skills and
resources.
• Strain is more likely to lead to delinquency when the costs of delinquency are low and
the benefits are high i.e, the probability of being caught and punished is low and the
rewards of delinquency are high.
• Finally, strain is more likely to lead to delinquency among individuals who are
disposed to delinquency. The individual's disposition to engage in delinquency is
influenced by a number of factors. Certain individual traits—like irritability and
impulsivity—increase the disposition for delinquency.
 References
• Agnew, R. (1985). A Revised Strain Theory of Delinquency. Social Forces, 64, 151-67.
• Agnew, R. (1992). Foundation for a General Strain Theory of Crime and Delinquency.
Criminology, 30, 47-87.
• Agnew, R. (1993). Why Do They Do IT: An Examination of the Intervening Mechanisms
Between Social Control Variables and Delinquency. Journal of Research in Crime and
Delinquency, 30, 245-66.
• Agnew, R. (1995). The Contribution of Social-Psychological Strain Theory to the
Explanation of Crime and Delinquency. In: F. Adler & W. S. Laufer (Eds), The Legacy of
Anomie Theory. Advances in Criminological Theory, 6, 113-137. New Brunswick, NJ:
Transaction Publishers.
• Agnew, R. (Forthcoming, a). An Overview of General Strain Theory. In: Ray Paternoster
(Ed.), Essays in Criminological Theory. Los Angeles: Roxbury.
• Agnew, R. (Forthcoming, b). Juvenile Delinquency: Causes and Control. Los Angeles:
Roxbury
• Agnew. R., Cullen, F. T., Burton V. S. Jr., Evans. T. D. & Dunaway, R. G. (1996). A New
Test of Classic Strain Theory. Justice Quarterly, 13, 681-704.
• Agnew, R., & Raskin White, H. (1992). An Empirical Test of General Strain Theory.
Criminology, 30, 475-499.