According to general strain theory, what role does the desire for monetary wealth play in the likelihood of committing crime?How does Agnew go about testing strain theory? What are the main variables?How do the results of the study challenge both academic and popular beliefs about criminals being from lower socio-economic groups?How does Agnew’s article illustrate the need for crime theories to be tested with empirical evidence?How could you undertake a similar test using qualitative methods and either subcultural theory or social learning theory?Assessment Aims This assessment is designed to assess your ability to read and comprehend original contemporary academic research, highlighting its essential arguments and reflect upon the strengths and limitations of the approach and findings of the study. By completing this assessment, you would be meeting the following course objectives: LO 1 Situate and explain sociological theories of deviance and criminal behaviour as they relate to broader sociological perspectivesLO 2 Familiarise students with a framework to comprehend changing levels and types of deviance and their relation to criminalisationLO 3 Stimulate critical skills in examining controversial social issues related to crime and devianceAssessment Criteria Content Accuracy [20%]Demonstrates an understanding of the content and summarising skills (making inferences, synthesising, forming conclusions, making connections between different ideas).Critical Reflection [60%]Demonstrates the ability to critically reflect by discussing the limitations of past studies using strain theory and Agnew’s solutions to them, analysing the relevance and utility of using strain theory in explaining deviance.Evaluates different research methods for testing strain theory, reflecting on the applicability and validity of using empirical evidence and qualitative analysis for testing crime theories.Is able to compare and contrast strain theory with other relevant theories (sub cultural theory and/ or social learning theory).
