Question

Choose a famous criminal (past or present). Use one of the Strain theories from Chapter 7 to explain the actions of the criminal. Be sure to apply specific terms and concepts from your text.

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) Frank Abagnale Jr. works as an American security consultant. Abagnale used to be a con man who committed fraud worth millions by forging cheques and money laundering. He was a con artist who aimed to acquire success and money through anti-social means. Abagnale tried to achieve the “American Dream” or what was society’s idea of success even though society did not particularly give him the tools to achieve that goal.

This is similar to the Social Strain Theory. According to Robert K. Merton, one can determine the type of deviance based on a measurement of innovation, conformity, retreatism, rebellion and ritualism. Merton proposed the ‘Social strain theory’ in the year 1938. He observed that society puts pressures and expectations on people and organizations without really giving them the means to achieve what is expected of them. For instance, society expects a qualified person to have a college degree but doesn’t really offer assistance on how to pay for it.