The Social Psychological Strain Theory - 1173 Words

There are numerous theoretical theories that can be applied to Fish’s case. Agnew’s social-psychological strain theory (1992, 2005), focuses on mistreatment and abuse as a source of acute stress in individuals. The theory suggests that when someone presents an individual with a negative or noxious stimuli it could promote aggressive behaviour (amongst other negative outcomes) in the targeted individual (Agnew, 1992, 2005). This in turn could possibly lead to the targeted individual involving themselves in illegal activities (Agnew, 1992, 2005). This theory helps to provide an explanation as to why Fish committed his heinous crimes as he along with the other boys at St Johns orphanage were reported to have been relentlessly abused, physically, emotionally, and sexually by the staff (Bardsley, 2012; Schechter, 2003). According to Brown et al., (2014), the staff would often strip the children of their clothes then proceed to viciously beat them, this was made worse by the fact that the other children were forced to watch the savage beatings. Fish stated â€Å"I was there [St. John’s Orphanage] till I was nearly nine and that’s where I got started wrong. We were unmercifully whipped. I saw boys doing many things they should not have done† (Berry-Dee, 2011, pp 157). Fish was abused in front of the other students and humiliated on numerous occasions, researchers suggested that Fish’s treatment was a severe form of shame punishment (Ramsland McGrain, 2009; Schechter, 2003). FishShow MoreRelatedEffectiveness of the Individual Explanation in Comparison to Social Explanation of Crime937 Words   |  4 Pages In critically examining the effectiveness of the individual explanation in comparison to social explanation of crimes, I will draw upon the theory of positivism and strain. There are controversies in which evaluation is the most effective. Unquestionably, both standpoints do have it limitations and strength, I will draw upon case examples and researches of both views in order to critically assess both effectiveness in explaining the occurrence of crimes. Individual explanation of crime isRead MoreThe Theories Of Crime Causation1076 Words   |  5 Pages This paper will examine the three main theories of crime causation which comprise the Criminological Theory as well as provide some examples of each. The three main theories of crime causation are biological, sociological and psychological. Each of the three theories have come a long way since their inception and continue to be updated due to new findings through technological and medical advances. It also must be noted that these are theories and due to various factors and drawbacks to eachRead MoreCrime And Its Effects On Society s Life Sentence Without A Non Parole Period1402 Words   |  6 Pagesnon-parole period (R v Harris [2000] NSWCCA 469) Morton and Lobez (2009). Findings from Brown, Esbensen and Geis (1991) show that strain theories operate from the view that certain strains or stressors are influential, that is, they can increase the likelihood of crime occurring. The assumption is that, individuals have goals, however, under this theory; the strains make it almost impossible for these goals to be achieved Brown, Esbensen and Geis (1991). Durkheim (1951) argued that, crime is inevitable;Read MoreA Study Of Crime Fell Into The Domain Of Metaphysicians, Penologists And Moralists1478 Words   |  6 Pagesbelieved that born criminals had the physical, mental, and instincts of primitive man (earlier stage of human evolution), which meant these born criminals were unsuited for a civilized society and unless incapacitated they would inevitably violate the social and legal rules (Akers Sellers, 2013). Essentially there were certain physical anomalies that if an individual possessed Lombroso would consider them a born criminal. However, in order f or Lombroso to deem them as a born criminal, males needed toRead MoreEssay on Theories of Crime and Criminal Activity1488 Words   |  6 PagesTheories of Crime and Criminal Activity Every theory of crime has at least 2-3 meta-theoretical levels above it. The fundamental issues are usually addressed at the approach level, and are often called the assumptions, or starting points, of a theory, although the term assumptions more strictly refers to the background or domain boundaries one can draw generalizations about. Above the approach level is the Perspective level, the largest unit of agreement within a scientific community, andRead MoreThe Theory Of Crime : The Classical View960 Words   |  4 Pagesresponsible for crime; known as criminal behavioral theories. Influenced by the classical theory is the rational choice theory, all the other theories; biosocial, psychological, social learning, and social structure is influenced by the positivist view. The rational choice theory believes that when the reward â€Å"rationally â€Å"outweighs the punishment than a crime will be committed. There are two different views on this theory. Firstly, the lifestyle theory, which believes that the youth chooses to live againstRead MoreThe General Strain Theory By Robert Merton1352 Words   |  6 PagesGeneral Strain Theory-Susan Smith In 1995, a very heinous, mysterious crime was committed the murder of two innocent boys by their mother. This crime was thought to be completely unexplainable. This mother convinced America that a black man had stole her car and kidnapped her children. Little did we know this suicidal woman would be capable of committing such a crime. There are many theories that you can apply to this case. However the theory that fits it most closely is the general strain theory. TheRead MoreA Norm Is A Rule Of Behavior Of Individuals In Society1491 Words   |  6 Pagessociety or groups, Emile Durkheim sociological founder considered norms to be social factors that exist in individual’s society of independence that creates the shapes of our behaviors and thoughts (Crossman, 2017). In the terms of not having sociality without social control the society would have no function without enforcing social orders that make daily life and the complex division of labor possible (Crossman, 2017). Social order is produced by ongoing life longs process of socialization that individualRead MorePersonal Criminological Theory Paper1142 Words   |  5 PagesCriminological Theory Paper Criminological Theory 3 February 2012 Personal Criminological Theory Paper Introduction Through out the years Criminologists has conducted a great amount of research and through that research Criminologist has developed different theories in order to better understand and explain criminal behavior. Theories try to help make sense out of many observations that are conducted presenting the facts of the principal that connects and explains the theories. If good theory has beenRead MoreCriminal Behavior : Crime And Crime Essay933 Words   |  4 Pagesall existing concepts, the sociological theories befit a comprehensive explanation for criminal behavior in the present society (Cornish Clarke, 2014). The integrated theories of emergent perspectives on crime also complement this concept because certain biological and psychological characteristics influence an individual’s chances of becoming a criminal. The prime sociological theories in the study include the strain principle, social learning, and social control (Cornish Clarke, 2014). The most