Criminal Behavior: Strain Theory vs. Control Theory

Strain Theory vs. Control Theory
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Institution
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Strain Theory vs. Control Theory
Strain theory tries to show how structures within the society can pressure people living within that society to commit crime. Strain theory in simple terms states that social structures within a society may pressure people to commit crime. Social structures refer to the means within the society which affects how an individual perceives his or her needs. Structures determine what is viewed as being more important than the other and defines the means towards achieving that particular need CITATION Rob67 \l 1033 (Merton, 1967). Pressure, or strain, according to Robert Merton's strain/anomie theory, is caused by the differences that exist between culturally defined goals and the means available to achieve these goals. For example, the dominant goal in the U.S is the acquisition and accumulation of wealth; this is so as happiness is always associated with material success and wealth CITATION Ste97 \l 1033 (Messner & Rosenfeld, 1997). The socially accepted means of acquiring wealth is believed to be hard work and education. It is believed that people who devote themselves to hard work and study have better chances of succeeding financially and the other way also applies. Based on strain theory, problems arise as the legitimate means of achieving these socially accepted goals are not equally or uniformly distributed; people from economically well of families have better access to these means than their counterparts in economically disadvantaged families. It is as a result of these discrepancies that strain or anomie is generated and in turn produces adaptation strategies which are used to deal with the pressures CITATION Rob06 \l 1033 (Agnew, 2006). The adaptation strategy adopted defines the extent to which one is likely to engage into criminal behaviors. Merton identifies five modes of adaptation: innovation, retreatism, ritualism, conformity, and rebellion. According to him, the innovator is more likely to engage in criminal behavior in that, he accepts the socially recognized goals but totally rejects the legitimate means of achieving these goal. The innovator thus uses any means available to him to achieve the goals.In contrast, control theory states that individuals engaging in criminal behaviors are likely to believe in the illeg...