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General Strain Theory

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Handbook on Crime and Deviance

Part of the book series: Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research ((HSSR))

The core idea of general strain theory (GST) is quite simple: individuals who experience strains or stressors often become upset and sometimes cope with crime. Such individuals may engage in crime to end or escape from their strains. For example, an individual with a desperate need for money may engage in theft or an adolescent being abused by her father may run away from home. Individuals may engage in crime to seek revenge against the source of their strains or related targets. For example, a student may assault the peers who are harassing him. And individuals may engage in crimes such as illicit drug use to make themselves feel better.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Robert Agnew

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  1. Robert Agnew
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Criminal Justice, University at Albany, Washington Ave. 1400, Albany, 12222, USA

    Marvin D. Krohn

  2. School of Criminal Justice, University at Albany, Washington Ave. 1400, Albany, 12222, U.S.A.

    Alan J. Lizotte

  3. School of Criminal Justice, University at Albany, Washington Ave. 1400, Albany, 12222, U.S.A.

    Gina Penly Hall

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Agnew, R. (2009). General Strain Theory. In: Krohn, M., Lizotte, A., Hall, G. (eds) Handbook on Crime and Deviance. Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0245-0_9

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