343.2SIM2)a)[1](1.ex.)
Analítico de Monografia
64049
AGNEW, Robert, e outros
General strain theory and white-collar crime / Robert Agnew, Nicole Leeper Piquero, and Francis T. Cullen
In: The criminology of white-collar crime / editor Sally S. Simpson, David Weisburd. - New York : Springer, [copy. 2009]. - p. 35-60 ; 24 cm. - ISBN 978-0-387-09501-1.
DIREITO PENAL / EUA, TEORIA DO CRIME / EUA, CRIME WHITE-COLLAR / EUA, CRIME ECONÓMICO / EUA, CRIME ORGANIZADO / EUA
This paper applies general strain theory (GST) to the explanation of white-collar crime, including (a) occupational crimes committed by higher class individuals, (b) economic offenses such as fraud and embezzlement, which are committed by lower as well as higher class individuals, and (c) corporate crimes. Several strains or stressors are said to be especially relevant to the explanation of such crimes, including the blockage of economic goals, the experience of a range of other economic problems, the inability of achieve status goals, and a variety of work-related stressors. Whether these strains result in white-collar crime, however, is said to be influenced by such things as coping skills and ressources, social support, opportunities for white-collar crime, social control, the perceived costs and benefits of white-collar crime, and association with criminal others. Strain theories were developed to explain what was thought to be much higher rate of crime among lower class individuals. According to the classic strain theories of Merton (1938), Cohen (1955), and Cloward and Ohlin (1060), individuals from all social classes are encouraged to pursue the goal of monetary success or middleclass status. Lower class individuals, however, frequently have trouble achieving these goals through legitimate channels. The frustation resulting from this goal blockage drives some of these individuals to crime. Crime may be used to achieve monetary goals, obtain status in the eyes of one's peers, seek revenge against the perceived source of goal blockage or others targets, and alleviate frustration and other negative emotions (through illicit drug use). Given these arguments, it may seem that strain theory has little to say about the causes of white-collar crime (see Waring et al. 1995; Wheeler 1992: 109). In fact, the existence of white-collar offending is sometimes taken as evidence against strain theory (see Agnew 2000; Curran and Renzetti 1001). Strain theory, however, is actually quite relevant to the explanation of white-collar crime. Although it was not a central theme in his work, Merton (1957; 1968) argued that higher class individuals may also experience goal blockage and respond with crime, including white-collar crime (also see Waring et al. 1995). Several theorists have elaborated on this argument, more fully describing the reasons why higher class individuals may pursue goals beyond their reach (e.g., Braithwaite 1992; Messner and Rosenfeld 2001; Passas, 1997). And the inability to achieve economic goals is frequently offered as an explanation for white-collar crime by researchers (e.g., Braithwaite 1992; Clinard and Yeager 1980; Jamieson 1994; Simpson 1986; Simpson and Koper 1997; Simpson et al. 1998; Vaughan 1982, 1992; Waring et al. 1995). In particular, economic strain is said to be an important cause of white-collar crimes committed strictly for personal gain, such as embezzlement, as well as corporate crimes, such as antitrust violations. This paper draws on and extends such arguments by applying general strain theory (GST) to the explanation of white-collar crime (Agnew 1992, 2006). GST incorporates the arguments of classic strain theory and provides a vehicle for systematically describing the central themes in the research on strain and white-collar crimes. At the same time, GST allows us to build on the prior literature in several important ways. In particular, GST more fully describes the nature of economic strain and provides much guidance on the proper measurement of such strain. GST also points to additional types of strain that may contribute to white-collar crime, including a range of work-related strains. Finally, GST points to a range of factors that increase the likelihood that individuals will react to strains with crime. Certain of these factors increase the likelihood of both "street" and white-collar crimes, while others increase the likelihood of just white-collar crime. The chapter begins by describing the different definitions of white-collar crime. Drawing on these definitions, the paper applies GST to the explanation of (a) occupational crimes committed by higher class individuals; (b) certain types of economic crimes, such as fraud and embezzlement, which are committed by lower as well as higher class individuals; and (c) corporate crimes. Becauses it is a general theory, GST attempts to explain all types of white-collar crime. The chapter then describes the major types of strain that may contribute to these white-collar crimes. The focus is on economic strain, since most white-collar crimes have the primary aim of increasing monetary gain or minizing monetary loss. Finally, those factors that increase the likelihood that individuals will respond to strains with crime, especially white-collar crime, are described.