A new test of classic strain theory

Explaining crime for a young adult population: An application of general strain theory

“…In an empirical study of bclassicQ or traditional strain, Agnew, Cullen, Burton, Evans, and Dunaway (1996) explored the determinants and the effects of dissatisfaction with monetary status. Using data from a sample of adults in Cincinnati, results provided support for classic strain theory, in that dissatisfaction had a positive effect on income-generating crime and drug use.…”

Street youth, strain theory, and crime

“…Observers suggested that classic strain theory might be more relevant to those not in school, to whom money was more of a concern, and to the urban poor, who experienced larger barriers to achieving their goals (Agnew, 1995;Cernkovich et al, 2000;Hagan & McCarthy, 1997a). Limited research on adult samples (see Agnew et al, 1996;Cernkovich et al, 2000) had been somewhat more supportive (although see . Third, most research focused on minor offending and low rate offenders (Bernard, 1984;Burton & Cullen, 1992; although see Cernkovich et al, 2000;Jensen, 1995).…”

“…Utilized as measures of access to success through legitimate means, or the achievement of success, these mixed findings provided additional evidence to dismiss the classic strain perspective (Agnew, Cullen, Burton, Evans, & Dunaway, 1996).…”

Anomie and the Marketing Function: The Role of Control Mechanisms

“…When faced by an impediment toward goal achievement, the individual feels a sense of frustration (Berkowitz, 1962), dissatisfaction, and pressure (Agnew et al, 1996). In society, this frustration may result when one's achieved status or class falls short of the culture's ascribed status or class (Jackson and Burke, 1965;Stinchcombe, 1964).…”

“…In a business context, frustration and dissatisfaction may result when an individual or department pursues corporate objectives, but does not have access to the necessary financial, temporal, or human resources to attain the goal (Poveda, 1994). Hence, the notion of frustration, negative affect, and dissatisfaction is central to Merton's and others' theories of strain (Agnew et al, 1996;Cloward and Ohlin, 1960). However, it should be noted that frustration and dissatisfaction do not erratically or immediately occur.…”