General Strain Theory
Robert Agnew suggested this theory in 1992. The foundation of generic strain theory, Agnew
(1992), outlines three forms of strains: Strain as the failure to achieve favorably valued goals,
whether actual or projected (e.g., good grade). Strain as the actual or predicted elimination of
stimuli that are positively valued (e.g., death of a parent or end of a relationship). Strain as the
actual or anticipated presentation of stimuli that are adversely valued. (For example, school
issues).
Individuals undergoing strain may acquire negative emotions, such as rage, when they see
hardship as imposed by others, according to the General Strain Theory. When they believe
others have treated them unfairly, they may become resentful, and when they blame
themselves for the unpleasant results, they may experience despair or anxiety. According to
Agnew, strain affects people from all walks of life and is not a class-based phenomena. There
was no genuine definition of strain in the original theory, despite the fact that it presented
three basic categories of strain. As a result of this flaw, the first extension of generic strain
theory was developed in 2001 to provide additional clarifications.
Strain is described as “relationships in which others do not treat the individual as he or she
would like to be treated,” according to Agnew (2001). Strain is referred to in three ways in
this first expansion of the theory: The strain that is actually inflicted, as opposed to the strain
that is felt. The evaluation of strain, which is a person's cognitive response to a stressful
situation. The unfavorable sensations generated in response to the experienced tension are
known as the emotional reaction to strain.
In addition to the aforementioned, two new strain types are introduced: objective and
subjective strains. Objective strain is caused by what is generally disliked by a given
population as a whole, whereas subjective strain is caused by one's own feelings toward the
strain that he or she is currently experiencing (Agnew, 2001; Froggio & Agnew, 2007; Moon
et al., 2008). Agnew's (2001) initial extension of GST was tested, and it was discovered that
some strains have a stronger impact on individuals than others. Parental rejection, divorce,
severe discipline, child maltreatment, and bad school experiences, for example, were all
strains that appeared to have a strong link to deviant conduct.
A year after the original extension, the authors published another paper in which they
attempted to answer GST Agnew et al main question (2002). Strain, personality traits, and
delinquency are discussed in the second extension of generic strain theory. The question they
