PSYC 164 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: General Strain Theory, Abuse
Document Summary
Strain theory: strains or stressors increase likelihood of crime. No positive stimuli, lots of neg stimuli. Most indi cope w/ strains in legal manner. Merton dev major strain theory during great depression inability to achieve monetary success. Everyone is encouraged to strive for monetary success lower class indi are prevented from achieving such success. Aka children do not have resource to do well in school, attack inferior schools, cannot start own business. Some pursuit other goals, lower desire for money. Whether they blame inability to achieve monetary success on themselves or others. Major strain in the us strained juveniles form gangs in order to achieve status that they desire. Juveniles pursue broad range of goals inability to achieve these goals = delinquency. Strains: events and conditions disliked by indi. Inability to achieve goals, lose something good, receive something bad, cannot get what they want gst (general strain theory) Homelessness steal in order to meet basic needs.
