Which criminological theory argues that crime results from a strain between culturally prescribed goals and legitimate means to achieve them?

• A. Strain theory
• B. Subcultural theory
• C. Conformity
• D. Focal concerns

Answer: (A)

Crime, in this view, happens when people feel pressure from a mismatch between society’s goals and the legitimate ways to achieve them. The culture often pushes for success and financial achievement, but not everyone has equal access to education, jobs, or social mobility to reach those goals through accepted channels. When legitimate avenues are blocked, individuals experience strain and may turn to alternative methods, including illegal means, to attain the same goals. This idea was developed to show how structural barriers can push people toward deviant or criminal behavior as a way to cope with the pressure to succeed. For example, someone who values monetary success but lacks access to conventional pathways might pursue theft or other crimes as a faster route to that goal. The emphasis is on the source of crime being the tension between what society says you should strive for and how you’re able to get there through lawful means, rather than on the influence of subcultural norms or simply following established rules.