Terrorism and Strain Theory

3486 Words14 Pages
According to general strain theory, individuals experiencing strain may develop negative emotions, including anger, when they see adversity as imposed by others, resentment when they perceive unjust treatment by others, and depression or anxiety when they blame themselves for the stressful consequence. These negative emotions, in turn, necessitate coping responses as a way to relieve internal pressure. Responses to strain may be behavioural, cognitive, or emotional, and not all responses are delinquent. General strain theory, however, is particularly interested in delinquent adaptations. General strain theory identifies various types of delinquent adaptations, including escapist (e.g., drug use), instrumental (e.g., property offences), and retaliatory (e.g., violent offences) outcomes. Coping via illegal behaviour and violence may be especially true for adolescents because of their limited legitimate coping resources, greater influence from peers, and inability to escape many stressful and frustrating environments. Of the various types of negative emotions, anger has been identified as playing the key role in mediating the effect of strain on delinquency and violence. This is the case because anger “increases the individual’s level of felt injury, creates a desire for retaliation/revenge, energizes the individual for action, and lowers inhibitions” (Agnew, 1992: 60). Some studies of the mediating model in general strain theory have focused on anger as the sole intervening factor in the relationship between strain and delinquency. Using data from the 1966 Youth in Transition survey, Agnew (1985) conducted the first study of this kind among tenth-grade boys. He found that the strain these boys experienced in school and at home had both a direct effect and an indirect effect (via anger) on property offences, violent offences, and status offences. Agnew also found
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