The strain theory is the theory that best describes why people commit crime because it provides the most logical rationale compared to the other theories of crime. According to this theory, negative emotions including anger and frustration arise from strains and stress. Although the other theories of crime have valid explanations, none of them seem as logical as the Strain Theory.
According to the Strain Theory, the reaction to negative emotions caused by a strain or stress leads some individuals to engage in criminal behavior. Individuals commit crime to reduce the strain or stress. A strain or stress occurs when an individual feel as though something is not right in life. Some of the stress and strain that individuals undergo may be caused by loss of something that has been positive in life or the gain of something that is perceived as negative. The loss of something positive could include the loss of a loved one or the ending of a relationship. The gain of a negative may include becoming involved in a violent relationship . One may commit a crime to obtain revenge. Or, a person may commit a crime in order to relieve a negative emotion. An individual may engage in violence to end harassment from another. A person may steal to reduce financial problems. Someone may use illegal drugs to feel better. Another person may sell illegal drugs to obtain money.
In comparison to the other theories of crime, the Strain Theory is more logical. The Conflict Theory alleges individuals engage in crime due to the unequal distribution of power in society. Those with the most power suppress those without power. This, in turn, causes those without power to respond negatively and often times with criminal behavior. Although I agree that there is an unequal distribution of wealth and power in our country, I do need think that it necessarily leads to crime. Not all individual living in poverty commit crime. The strain theory better explains the power relationship. Under the strain theory, those who lose or gain power have the potential to respond to this as a strain and engage in criminal behavior.
The Rational Choice Theory of crime purports that individuals make decisions based on what is in their best interest. In choosing criminal behavior, the individual weighs the risks against the rewards. I also agree with this theory in that most people with risks and benefits before making a decision to act. However, the Strain theory makes more sense in this area as those under a strain or stress may act impulsively and engage in criminal behavior without weighing risks but rather in seeking to alleviate the stress.
The Social Disorganization Theory of crime alleges that an individual’s environment is responsible for behavior. This would include both the physical and social environment. Poverty contributes to social disorganization which leads to crime. I agree that poverty is one common attribute that those who engage in criminal behavior exhibit. However, it is more logical to conclude that poverty is a strain or stressor that leads to criminal behavior. Living in poverty does not make an individual engage in crime, rather individuals engage in crime as a reaction to the stress of poverty.
The Social Learning Theory claims that individuals learn to commit crime from those they associate with. I absolutely disagree with this theory. Crime is not a learned behavior; it is a choice that an individual makes in response to some stimuli that causes stress. I grew up around several individuals that engaged in criminal behavior and had many such friends. I did not learn to engage in criminal behavior. I made the choice not to make the same bad decisions that they made. If crime is a learned behavior, it is likely that more of America would be incarcerated.
Finally, the Strain Theory is better than the Labeling Theory as well. The Labeling Theory alleges that individuals commit crime because they retain the label of a criminal after committing one crime. Those who commit a crime, according to the theory that makes more common sense, do so in response to a situation, not because of what others think of them. As I have stated, criminal behavior is a choice that an individual makes in reaction to a strain or stress. If the Labeling Theory were valid, there would be a much greater rate of recidivism because criminals would always remain criminals.
The Strain Theory is the theory that best describes criminal behavior. The other theories attempt to explain why a person commits a crime by taking into account the individuals past, the individuals friends or the individuals lifestyle. Also, the Strain Theory focuses on what actually causes a person to commit a crime: Strains and stressor. The Strain Theory is the most logical theory because it best describes why all crime occurs. The other theories of crime may legitimately explain why a poor person commits crime or why a group in a gang commits a crime, but they do not legitimately explain why the person who never engaged in criminal behavior has committed a crime, or why persons commit white collar crimes.
References
Agnew, R. (2001). Building on the Foundation of General Strain Theory: Specifying the Types of Strain Most Likely to Lead to Crime and Delinquency. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency. Retrieved from http://www.d.umn.edu/~jmaahs/MA%20Theory%20Articles/Agnew%20GST.pdf
Briggs, S. (2016). Important Theories in Criminology: Why People Commit Crime. Retrieved from For Dummies: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/important-theories-in-criminology-why-people-commi.html
