Salvaging Structure Through Strain: A Theoretical and Empirical Critique (From Legacy of Anomie Theory: Advances in Criminological Theory, Volume 6, P 139-158, 1995, Freda Adler and William S Laufer, eds. -- See NCJ-159627)

• NCJ Number: 159631
• Author(s): G F Jensen
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 20 pages
• Sale Source: Transaction Publishers
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Instead of emphasizing structurally induced strain and frustration as motivating forces in crime and delinquency, Hirschi has proposed an amotivational theory reflecting themes associated with personal and social disorganization theories; Farnworth and Leiber attempt to resurrect strain theory through goals-means discrepancy measures that emphasize economic goals and educational expectations.

Abstract

Hirschi's critique of strain theory remains the most cited challenge to structural strain-status frustration theories of crime and delinquency. Goals-means discrepancy measures of Farnworth and Leiber are positively related to self-reports of delinquency, but the researchers do not examine a goals-means discrepancy as an intervening psychological mechanism. They focus on alleged consequences of strain but say nothing about its distribution. The current analysis evaluates attempts to revive strain as a psychological mechanism mediating the effect of structural variables on crime and delinquency. Data suggest that youth most likely to be involved in crime and delinquency are those who have the least to lose or who have the least invested in the future, a conclusion quite consistent with Hirschi's social bond theory. Conceptual problems associated with social bond theory and the social distribution of strain are examined. 28 references, 8 notes, 2 tables, and 3 figures