Strain Theory

Strain theories maintain that constant stress or indulgence in strenuous activities may lead to a negative response such as anger and frustration. These negative emotions lead to actions such as crimes as the victims may seek alternative solutions, which may include vengeance as others seek easy way out and might end up stealing or abusing drugs (Agnew, Robert & Timothy, 2018). For example, a medical doctor may be overworked, ending up being exhausted and fatigued; thus, he or she might seek an easy way out, and these could include abuse of drugs such as alcohol to relieve them of the stresses or with a belief of working long hours. Therefore, this might directly affect a patient negatively since if such a doctor is allowed on duty, he or she may wrongly treat or prescribe a drug to a patient (Arkers, Ronald & Christine, 2012).

Strain theory agrees that not all strained individuals always turn to crime as an option, which is evident in rare cases. The theory is divided into classical and general strain theory, with the former majors on the strains that pose the inabilities to achieve certain set goals or successes of middle class status (Bernard, Thomas, Jeffrey & Alexander, 2016). General strain theory, on the other hand, focuses on a wide range of strains that may influence certain actions of the victims. The stress caused may be influenced by gender, sex, age, societal differences, or even the crime rates as explained by the general theory of strain. Crimes such as terrorism, rape, bullying, suicide or bad eating habits may be influenced by these strains. Therefore, it is evident that the strains suggested by this theory poses the possibility of much crimes and is widely confirmed. Thus, this theory describes the sources of white collar offences like the above mentioned medical crimes (Kubrin, Charis, Thomas & Marvin, 2016).

References

Agnew, Robert & Timothy Brezina (2018). Strain theories. In Sage handbook of criminological theory. Edited by McLaughlin & Tim Newburn/ London: SAGE.

Akers, Ronald L., &Christine S. Sellers (2012). Criminological theories: Introduction, evaluation & application. 5^th ed. New York Unv. Press.

Bernard, Thomas J., Jeffrey B. Snipes, &Alexander L. Gerould (2016) Vold’s theoretical criminology. 6^th ed. New York: Oxford Unv. Press.

Kubrin, Charis E., Thomas D.  &Marvin D (2016). Researching theories of crime and deviance. New York: Oxford Unv. Press.