Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Strain Theory - Criminology

STRAIN THEORY

Crime can be defined as any action that is in violation of the law and for which punishment is imposed, however, literally defining crime is often difficult as the constant changing laws throughout time blur the run along in what constitutes a criminal act and an offender. Criminologists through the ages contrive presented their definitions of crime, providing theories that analyze why crime is committed and, more importantly, how it may be prevented. One of the prominent theories in pardoning crime is the pass on surmisal, first developed in 1938 by Robert K. Merton who sought to explain the relationship between cordial structure and delinquent look (Bernard, Snipes & Gerould; 2010).

Mertons work on the strain theory was formulated in response to Emily Durkheims conception of anomie that is, a breakdown of mixer norms or rules that contributes to the social affection of crime (LaCapra; 1972). Durkheims work in the 19th blow argued about the effects of rapid social change on anomies, an experience he himself witnessed occur during the revolutionary period in France. Durkheim believed that, in modern societies, the volume of criminal behavior would attach during periods of rapid social change.

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Robert Merton adapted Durkheims theory to American society, but instead of focusing on rapid social change, he argued that there were certain relatively stable social conditions that were associated with the higher over-all crime rates in American society, as well as with higher rates of crime in the lower social classes (Bernard, Snipes & Gerould; 2010). His research based on this conception came to be known as strain theories.

Mertons strain theory is defined as the strains caused by a societal structure that may pressure citizens to commit crime (Marmo, De Lint & Palmer; 2012). Unlike previous theories, where explanations of crime focused on kinds of people, the strain theory relates high crime rates to the display case of structure and...If you want to get a full essay, beau monde it on our website: Orderessay



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