Strain Theories: Responding to the Demands of and Opportunities in a Society (From Criminology: A Canadian Perspective, P 155-176, 1987, Rick Linden, ed. -- See NCJ-108160)

• NCJ Number: 108168
• Author(s): J C Hackler
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 22 pages
• Sale Source: Holt, Rinehart and Winston of Canada, Ltd
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

Explanations of criminality fall into two major groups: consensus perspectives, which assume that the vast majority of the population holds similar views as to what is right and wrong; and conflict perspectives, which view society as composed of various groups struggling to enhance their position.

Abstract

From the consensus perspective, crime occurs when people are subjected to crime-producing influences that are the result of stresses or strains generated by the structure of society. Durkheim argued that crime was more frequent when there was less social cohesion and more anomie and normlessness. Merton modified the idea of anomie to that of relative deprivation caused by the gap between goals and means. Out of these ideas grew a focus on opportunity structures. Kobrin showed that communities offer different types of opportunities, and Cloward suggested the importance of barriers to legal and illegal opportunities in explaining crime. While conflict theories have become increasingly popular in recent years, the traditional consensus theories retain their heuristic value and have had some application in crime control policies. 7 annotated references. (Author summary modified)