FOUNDATION FOR A GENERAL STRAIN THEORY OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY*

TLDR

Strain theory is distinguished from social control and differential association/social learning theory. The study proposes a general strain theory of crime and delinquency that addresses criticisms of earlier strain theories. The authors define three types of strain—failure to achieve goals, removal of valued stimuli, and presentation of negative stimuli—offer measurement guidelines, and discuss adaptations and factors that determine whether individuals choose delinquent or nondelinquent responses.

Abstract

This paper presents a general strain theory of crime and delinquency that is capable of overcoming the criticisms of previous strain theories. In the first section, strain theory is distinguished from social control and differential association/social learning theory. In the second section, the three major types of strain are described: (1) strain as the actual or anticipated failure to achieve positively valued goals, (2) strain as the actual or anticipated removal of positively valued stimuli, and (3) strain as the actual or anticipated presentation of negatively valued stimuli. In the third section, guidelines for the measurement of strain are presented. And in the fourth section, the major adaptations to strain are described, and those factors influencing the choice of delinquent versus nondelinquent adaptations are discussed.