Agnew, Robert: General Strain Theory

Development and Core Assumptions

Traditional or classic strain theories (including theories authored by Robert Merton, Albert K. Cohen, Richard A. Cloward, and Lloyd E. Ohlin) emphasize the importance of goal blockage, or the inability of individuals to attain conventional goals through legitimate means. According to these theories, individuals are encouraged by the larger [Page 7]cultural system to pursue the goals of monetary success or middle-class status. However, when prevented from achieving these goals through legitimate means—due to their position in the class system, real or perceived lack of opportunity, or lack of resources—individuals may resort to illegitimate and innovative means of goal attainment, such as crime or delinquency.

Although classic strain theories were highly influential during much of the 20th century, they were sharply criticized during the 1970s. Prominent criminologists criticized classic strain theories for their failure to explain the delinquency of middle-class individuals, for their failure to explain why only some strained individuals turn to crime or delinquency, and for their neglect of goals other than monetary success or middle-class status. Classic strain theories were also seen as lacking in empirical support. If such theories were correct, one would expect to find high levels of delinquency among strained individuals; namely, among individuals who aspire to conventional success but who do not expect to achieve this goal through legitimate means (in other words, among individuals who experience a gap or disjunction between their aspirations and expectations). Yet contrary to expectations, researchers observed that the highest levels of delinquency were to be found among individuals who lack aspirations for conventional success (e.g., among individuals who do not aspire to a college education or high-status occupation)—a fact that appears to be more consistent with social control theory than classic strain theories.

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