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. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
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 Connections
Developed By
Source Wikipedia: General Strain Theory
Informed By
General strain theory generalizes Merton's classic strain theory beyond blocked economic goals to a broader range of strains and negative emotions.
Source Wikipedia: General Strain Theory
Sources
1. Wikipedia: General Strain Theory
Lead section
General strain theory (GST) is a theory of criminology developed by Robert Agnew.
Criticisms section
The theory is too complex for any everyday person to understand, it is really hard to test because of how complex it is.
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