Contemporary Theories of Process

Question 1

General Strain Theory

Answer 1

Coined by Robert Agnew, it argues that just as an individual’s goals can be blocked, so can the ability to avoid undesirable situations or stressful life events.

Question 2

2 Major Kinds of Strain

Answer 2

• Objective those most people in a given group would commonly dislike
• Subjective most closely tied to what an individual might find personally objectionnable

Question 3

Strength of the Strain

Answer 3

The stronger the strain, the more likely it is to lead to crime and/or delinquency

Question 4

Importance of Coping Mechanisms

Answer 4

Individuals with the greatest access to coping mechanisms are more likely to be conforming, leaving vulnerable groups like youth at risk

Question 5

“Ingredients” Leading to Crime

Answer 5

• Events thought of as unjust
• Stimuli strong in stress
• Low social control
• Yielding to pressure to engage in criminal coping

Question 6

Gender in Strain Theory

Answer 6

According to Piquero and Sealock, although males and females both experience levels of strain, they may have different ways of identifying negative emotions

Question 7

Agnew’s 2 New Theories

Answer 7

• Integrative theory (2005) that uses the concept of 5 life domains to unify the many criminology theories (self, family, school, peer and work)
• Unified Theory of Crime (2011) includes biosocial factors to explain strain