Chapter 4: Crime in American Society:

Anomie and Strain Theories

Discussion Theory/Questions

Directions: Please answer one (1) of the following four (4) questions.

 

1. Compare and contrast strain theories with those from the first three chapters of the book. What are the similarities? Differences? Describe how policy implications based out of strain theories differ from the other theories presented in the prior chapters.

1. How did Messner and Rosenfeld’s institutional anomie theory expand Merton’s theory? Specifically, what did Messner and Rosenfeld cite as a deficit in Merton’s theory? How does institutional anomie theory explain crime in the United States and what policy implications could come from this theory?

1. Using the various theories presented in this chapter, describe how the United States’s capitalistic market influences crime. Based on these theories, develop a crime reduction strategy.

1. Describe the evolution of strain theories in criminology, starting with Merton.

 

The evolution of strain theories in criminology

Robert Merton in the year 1939 developed strain theory which states that various stressors as well as strains lead to the possibility of a crime due to negative emotions which include frustration as well as anger. Strain theory explains specific stressors that lead to crime as well as the factors that enhance crime in the society. Therefore, strain theories have evolved over decades and they both acknowledge that strained individuals turn to crime. The role strain theory stated that various institutions should be operated by role relationships, thus role strain ensures that social action as well as structure are maintained, thus preventing criminal behavior.

Merton developed the classic strain theory that dominated the criminology during the 20^th century, thus focusing on significant strains and stressors that involved the inability to attain monetary success as well as the goal of middle-class status. The classic theory declined during the 1980s as various research challenged the theory. In the year 1992 Robert Agnew developed the General Strain Theory which became the leading version of strain theory of crime. The theory focused on various strains such as loss of valued possessions as well as mistreatment by others. General strain theory has been applied in various topics such as age, community, and race/ethnicity as well as various types’ crimes such as corporate crime, police deviance, and bullying. Institutional anomie theory was developed in the year 1994 by Steven Messner and Richard Rosenfield and stated that institutions such as markets should operate without restraints, thus preventing criminal behavior.