DB questions
ismails95
6StrainTheory.pptxStrain Theory
JD: Causes and Control (6)
1
Introduction to Strain Theory
Juveniles experience strain
become upset
and sometimes engage in delinquency
Several versions of strain theory
each describes major types of strain and conditioning variables
2
Two Major Categories of Strain
**covered in detail in following slides
3
Failure to achieve goals
1. money
Loss of positive stimuli/ introduction of negative stimuli
h. experiences with prejudice and discrimination
g. homelessness
f. criminal victimization
e. abusive peer relations
d. negative school experiences
c. child abuse and neglect
b. parental supervision/discipline that is very strict, erratic, excessive
a. parental rejection
negative treatment
Lose something of value
a. central goal and necessity that some have difficulty obtaining through legal channels
b. research provides limited support that monetary strain related to delinquency
2. status/respect
a. want to be treated in just and fair manner
b. threats to manhood or “masculine status” for certain group members 3. thrilling or exciting activities
a. individuals sometimes referred to as “sensation seekers”
b. trouble satisfying this desire through legal channels
4. autonomy from adults
a. defined as freedom from control of others
b. school system especially likely to frustrate autonomy goals
c. delinquency means of asserting autonomy, achieving autonomy, or venting frustration
5. personal goals
Categories of Strain
Depending on the text, there are 2 or 3 categories of strain:
Failure to achieve positively valued goals
Loss of something positive/ introduction of negative stimuli
**(some books separate these into two distinct categories)
4
Failure to Achieve Goals
1. money
central goal and necessity that some have difficulty obtaining through legal channels
research provides limited support that monetary strain related to delinquency
2. status/respect
want to be treated in just and fair manner
threats to manhood or “masculine status” for certain group members
3. thrilling or exciting activities
individuals sometimes referred to as “sensation seekers”
trouble satisfying this desire through legal channels
4. autonomy from adults
defined as freedom from control of others
school system especially likely to frustrate autonomy goals
delinquency means of asserting autonomy, achieving autonomy, or venting frustration
5. personal goals
5
Loss of +/ Introduction of -
Lose something of value
negative treatment
parental rejection
parental supervision/discipline that is very strict, erratic, excessive
child abuse and neglect
negative school experiences
abusive peer relations
criminal victimization
homelessness
experiences with prejudice and discrimination
6
Impact of Strain on Juveniles
Experience negative emotions such as anger and frustration
Juveniles then cope with this strain using one or more strategies
7
What coping mechanisms do they use?
1. cognitively reinterpret strain so as to minimize its impact
“it’s not that important”
“it’s not that bad”
“I deserve it”
2. behavioral strategies involve actions that attempt to reduce strain
nondelinquent strategies
avoid peers
negotiate with teachers
delinquent strategies
attack peers
threaten teachers
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3. emotional coping strategies attempt to reduce negative emotions resulting from strain
nondelinquent strategies
exercise
relaxation techniques
delinquent strategies include using illegal drugs
9
What factors increase the likelihood of a delinquent response?
Experiencing strain in an area of life considered important
poor coping skills and resources
few conventional social supports
costs of delinquent coping are low and the benefits are high
disposed to delinquency
10
Is There Support for Strain Theory?
inability to achieve certain goals and the experience of certain negative events DOES increase likelihood of delinquency
INDEED, some factors increase likelihood that juveniles will respond to strain with delinquency
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