FOUNDATION FOR A GENERAL STRAIN THEORY OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY*
Abstract
This paper presents a general strain theory of crime and delinquency that is capable of overcoming the criticisms of previous strain theories. In the first section, strain theory is distinguished from social control and differential association/social learning theory. In the second section, the three major types of strain are described: (1) strain as the actual or anticipated failure to achieve positively valued goals, (2) strain as the actual or anticipated removal of positively valued stimuli, and (3) strain as the actual or anticipated presentation of negatively valued stimuli. In the third section, guidelines for the measurement of strain are presented. And in the fourth section, the major adaptations to strain are described, and those factors influencing the choice of delinquent versus nondelinquent adaptations are discussed.
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Economic strain is conceptualized as a gap between desired and actual economic outcomes.
“A control variable is introduced for economic strain, conceptualized as a gap between desired and actual economic outcomes (Agnew 1992).”
From The Effect of Religiosity on Tax Fraud Acceptability: A Cross‐National Analysis (2006) · cites this paper as Agnew 1992
Academic Pressure's negative association with Compliance Intention points beyond the fraud triangle toward Agnew's general strain theory, which holds that strain erodes the social bonds and commitments that sustain conformity.
“Its negative association with Compliance Intention, however, points beyond the fraud triangle toward Agnew's (1992) general strain theory, which holds that strain not only creates a motive for rule-breaking but also erodes the social bonds and commitments that would otherwise sustain conformity.”
From Convenience Amid Crisis: Explaining Generative AI Misuse and Compliance Intention Among Myanmar University Students (2026) · cites this paper as Agnew (1992)
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- Authors
- AGNEW, R.
- Affiliations
- Emory University (US)
- Corresponding author
- AGNEW, ROBERT
- Venue
- Criminology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1992-02
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 47-88
- ISSN
- 0011-1384 (ISSN-L)
- 1745-9125
- OpenAlex
- W1977198508
- Cited by
- 5,046
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 312 · 2025: 399 · 2024: 343 · 2023: 285 · 2022: 270 · 2021: 268 · 2020: 343 · 2019: 258 · 2018: 221 · 2017: 271 · 2016: 237 · 2015: 186 · 2014: 217 · 2013: 186 · 2012: 180
- FWCI
- 41.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Criminology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Law › Criminal Justice and Penology
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime, Deviance, and Social Control
- Keywords
- strain theory, crime, delinquency, social control theory, differential association, social learning theory, goal failure, stimulus presentation
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