取消
Mainstream strain models are theoretical frameworks that seek to explain the causes and consequences of strain in society. Strain refers to the stress and pressure that individuals experience when they are unable to achieve their goals or meet their expectations. This strain can lead to various negative outcomes, such as crime, deviance, and mental health issues. There are several different mainstream strain models that have been developed by sociologists and criminologists to help understand and address this phenomenon. In this article, we will explore the differences between some of the most prominent strain models.
One of the most well-known strain models is Robert Merton's Strain Theory, which was first proposed in the 1930s. Merton argued that individuals experience strain when they are unable to achieve culturally prescribed goals through legitimate means. According to Merton, there are five possible responses to strain: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. Conformity involves accepting both the goals and the means of achieving them, while innovation involves accepting the goals but rejecting the means. Ritualism involves rejecting the goals but continuing to adhere to the means, while retreatism involves rejecting both the goals and the means. Rebellion involves rejecting both the goals and the means and seeking to replace them with new ones.
2. Agnew's General Strain Theory:
Another influential strain model is Agnew's General Strain Theory, which was developed in the 1990s as a response to criticisms of Merton's theory. Agnew argued that strain can result from a variety of sources, including the failure to achieve positively valued goals, the removal of positively valued stimuli, and the presentation of negatively valued stimuli. Agnew also identified three main types of strain: objective strain, subjective strain, and vicarious strain. Objective strain refers to actual negative events or conditions that individuals experience, while subjective strain refers to the perception of these events or conditions as stressful. Vicarious strain refers to the strain that individuals experience when they witness others experiencing negative events or conditions.
3. Cohen's Status Frustration Theory:
Albert Cohen's Status Frustration Theory is another strain model that focuses on the role of social status in shaping individuals' responses to strain. Cohen argued that working-class youth experience strain when they are unable to achieve middle-class status through conventional means. This strain leads to the formation of subcultural groups that reject mainstream values and norms. These subcultures often involve the adoption of alternative values and behaviors, such as delinquency and gang involvement, as a way of achieving status and respect within their own social group.
4. Cloward and Ohlin's Differential Opportunity Theory:
Cloward and Ohlin's Differential Opportunity Theory is a strain model that builds on Merton's theory by emphasizing the role of social structure in shaping individuals' responses to strain. Cloward and Ohlin argued that individuals experience strain when they are unable to achieve their goals due to limited access to legitimate opportunities. This strain can lead to the adoption of criminal behavior as a way of achieving success and status. Cloward and Ohlin also identified three main types of criminal subcultures: criminal, conflict, and retreatist. Criminal subcultures involve individuals who have access to criminal opportunities, conflict subcultures involve individuals who have limited access to legitimate opportunities but are unable to access criminal opportunities, and retreatist subcultures involve individuals who have limited access to both legitimate and criminal opportunities.
In conclusion, mainstream strain models are theoretical frameworks that seek to explain the causes and consequences of strain in society. While these models share some common themes, such as the role of goals and opportunities in shaping individuals' responses to strain, they also differ in terms of their focus, scope, and underlying assumptions. By understanding the differences between these models, researchers and policymakers can gain valuable insights into the complex nature of strain and develop more effective strategies for addressing it.
Mainstream strain models are theoretical frameworks that seek to explain the causes and consequences of strain in society. Strain refers to the stress and pressure that individuals experience when they are unable to achieve their goals or meet their expectations. This strain can lead to various negative outcomes, such as crime, deviance, and mental health issues. There are several different mainstream strain models that have been developed by sociologists and criminologists to help understand and address this phenomenon. In this article, we will explore the differences between some of the most prominent strain models.
One of the most well-known strain models is Robert Merton's Strain Theory, which was first proposed in the 1930s. Merton argued that individuals experience strain when they are unable to achieve culturally prescribed goals through legitimate means. According to Merton, there are five possible responses to strain: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. Conformity involves accepting both the goals and the means of achieving them, while innovation involves accepting the goals but rejecting the means. Ritualism involves rejecting the goals but continuing to adhere to the means, while retreatism involves rejecting both the goals and the means. Rebellion involves rejecting both the goals and the means and seeking to replace them with new ones.
2. Agnew's General Strain Theory:
Another influential strain model is Agnew's General Strain Theory, which was developed in the 1990s as a response to criticisms of Merton's theory. Agnew argued that strain can result from a variety of sources, including the failure to achieve positively valued goals, the removal of positively valued stimuli, and the presentation of negatively valued stimuli. Agnew also identified three main types of strain: objective strain, subjective strain, and vicarious strain. Objective strain refers to actual negative events or conditions that individuals experience, while subjective strain refers to the perception of these events or conditions as stressful. Vicarious strain refers to the strain that individuals experience when they witness others experiencing negative events or conditions.
3. Cohen's Status Frustration Theory:
Albert Cohen's Status Frustration Theory is another strain model that focuses on the role of social status in shaping individuals' responses to strain. Cohen argued that working-class youth experience strain when they are unable to achieve middle-class status through conventional means. This strain leads to the formation of subcultural groups that reject mainstream values and norms. These subcultures often involve the adoption of alternative values and behaviors, such as delinquency and gang involvement, as a way of achieving status and respect within their own social group.
4. Cloward and Ohlin's Differential Opportunity Theory:
Cloward and Ohlin's Differential Opportunity Theory is a strain model that builds on Merton's theory by emphasizing the role of social structure in shaping individuals' responses to strain. Cloward and Ohlin argued that individuals experience strain when they are unable to achieve their goals due to limited access to legitimate opportunities. This strain can lead to the adoption of criminal behavior as a way of achieving success and status. Cloward and Ohlin also identified three main types of criminal subcultures: criminal, conflict, and retreatist. Criminal subcultures involve individuals who have access to criminal opportunities, conflict subcultures involve individuals who have limited access to legitimate opportunities but are unable to access criminal opportunities, and retreatist subcultures involve individuals who have limited access to both legitimate and criminal opportunities.
In conclusion, mainstream strain models are theoretical frameworks that seek to explain the causes and consequences of strain in society. While these models share some common themes, such as the role of goals and opportunities in shaping individuals' responses to strain, they also differ in terms of their focus, scope, and underlying assumptions. By understanding the differences between these models, researchers and policymakers can gain valuable insights into the complex nature of strain and develop more effective strategies for addressing it.
