A theory of criminology developed by Robert Agnew (1992) holding that negative treatment, blocked goals and the loss of valued things or people produce negative emotions, especially anger and frustration, that press individuals toward criminal or delinquent coping. It generalizes and extends Robert K. Merton's classic strain theory beyond blocked economic goals to a wider range of strains.
Facts
Core ClaimSourced to the subject's own accountNegative treatment, blocked goals and the loss of valued things or people produce negative emotions that press individuals toward criminal or delinquent coping. 1 Origin YearSourced to the subject's own account Standing CritiqueSourced to the subject's own accountCritics argue the theory's many strain sources make it difficult to test cleanly, and empirical results across those sources have been mixed, leaving open why any given strained individual turns to crime rather than another coping response. 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Developed By
Informed By
General strain theory generalizes Merton's classic strain theory beyond blocked economic goals to a broader range of strains and negative emotions.
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