Theory critique paper

In this assignment, you will select a real-life criminal case or a hypothetical scenario and apply one criminological theory to explain the crime. This will allow you to explore the relationship between theory and practice in criminology, demonstrating how a specific theoretical perspective can shed light on criminal behavior.

you are not allowed to choose school shootings or any real life case related to school shootings for your paper. Make sure to follow the instructions.

Instructions for paper:

-

- Choose an offense (for example murder, rape, white collar crimes, burglary, robbery) or a real life case and explain how the criminological theory you choose can explain the particular crime or real life case you choose. Use my outline as a template for your paper

- Double spaced

- Times new roman

- Police 12

- Margin (normal)

- Insert page number at the bottom of each page

- Minimum page: 2 pages and maximum 6 pages

- Title page: Title of your paper, the names of the group members

- Word file not pdf (make sure I can open your file before submitting or you will get zero if I can't open your file)

- APA or MLA for your in-text citations and references

Title: The Relationship between Rampage School Shootings and Strain Theory

Introduction

- Define rampage school shootings

- Provide a brief overview of recent incidents to highlight the relevance of studying this phenomenon.

- Overview of strain theory's foundational concepts.

- Introduce how strain theory may provide insights into understanding motivations behind rampage school shootings.

- Purpose of the paper: To examine the relationship between rampage school shootings and strain theory.

Main body

I. Overview of Strain Theory

A. Robert Merton strain theory

Explain how strain occurs when there's a disconnect between societal goals and legitimate means of achieving them and the adaptations to strain

B. Cohen status frustration

Discuss Cohen main assumptions and adaptations to strain

C. Cloward and Ohlin differential opportunity theory

Discuss Cloward and Ohlin main assumptions and adaptations to strain

D. Agnew general strain theory

Discuss Agnew three main sources of strain and its emphasis on the emotions created by strain especially anger

III. Identification of the strain theory relevant to school shootings

A. Agnew general strain theory

1. Failure to Achieve Positively Valued Goals

Describe common goals among adolescents (e.g., academic success, social acceptance, athletic achievements).

Explore how the perceived inability to achieve these goals can lead to frustration and a feeling of worthlessness.

Discuss how this frustration might escalate into violent actions, particularly in adolescents who feel marginalized.

B. Loss of Positive Stimuli

Explain the role of significant life changes or losses (e.g., family disruption, social rejection, bullying) as stressors.

Examine how loss of positive stimuli, especially in a school environment, could foster isolation and resentment.

Consider how such strains could push a student toward violent retaliation as a perceived solution.

C. Presence of Negative Stimuli

Define negative stimuli in the school context (e.g., bullying, harassment, exclusion).

Analyze how exposure to chronic negative stimuli might produce anger, fear, or a desire for revenge.

Discuss examples of shooters who cited negative interactions as motivations for their actions.

D. Emotional and Psychological Responses to Strain

1. Anger and resentment as central emotions

Discuss how frustration from strain can evolve into anger, resentment, and hostility toward others.

Conclusion

A. Summary of Key Points

Recap the main arguments, summarizing how strain theory can help explain the pressures and motivations behind the Columbine shooting.

B. Policy implications of strain theories (think outside the box and your slides)

References

List all scholarly articles, books, and sources used to inform and support the paper.

Instructions for paper:

- In groups (you must work in groups on this paper. If you submit your paper without the names of the other students, you will get zero)

- Choose an offense (for example murder, rape, white collar crimes, burglary, robbery) or a real life case and explain how the criminological theory you choose can explain the particular crime or real life case you choose. Use my outline as a template for your paper

- Double spaced

- Time new roman

- Police 12

- Margin (normal)

- Insert page number at the bottom of each page

- Minimum page: 2 pages and maximum 6 pages

- Title page: Title of your paper, the names of the group members

- Word file not pdf (make sure I can open your file before submitting or you will get zero if I can't open your file)

- Use the following outline for your paper

Analyzing the Columbine High School Shooting through the Lens of Strain Theory

Introduction

- Background on the Columbine High School Shooting

Briefly describe the Columbine High School shooting, including the date, key facts, and overall impact.

- Overview of strain theory and its application in explaining deviant behavior.

- Purpose of the paper: To examine how strain can result in the Columbine shooting Introduce how strain theory, especially Agnew's General Strain Theory, can provide insight into the motivations behind the Columbine shooting.

Main body

I. Origin and development of strain theory

A. Robert Merton theory

Explain how strain occurs when there's a disconnect between societal goals and legitimate means of achieving them and the adaptations to strain

B. Albert Cohen status frustration theory

Discuss Cohen main assumptions and adaptations to strain

C. Cloward and Ohlin Differential opportunity theory

Discuss Cloward and Ohlin main assumption and adaptations to strain

D. Agnew general strain theory

Discuss Agnew three main sources of strain and its emphasis on the emotions created by strain especially anger

II. The strain theory relevant to the Columbine high school shooting

A. Agnew General strain theory

a. Types of Strain Experienced by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold

1. Failure to Achieve Socially Valued Goals

Describe the common social and academic goals for high school students, such as popularity, acceptance, and success.

Discuss how Harris and Klebold's social isolation and failure to achieve these goals contributed to their frustration and sense of alienation.

2. Loss of Positive Stimuli

Examine experiences that may have led to feelings of loss, such as ongoing social rejection and the lack of supportive friendships within the school.

Explore how the loss of positive interactions contributed to a sense of hopelessness and further isolated them from their peers.

3. Presence of Negative Stimuli

Analyze the presence of chronic negative stimuli, particularly bullying and harassment, that both Harris and Klebold reportedly endured.

Discuss how this constant exposure to negative treatment may have fostered resentment and a desire for revenge against their peers.

b.Emotional and Psychological Responses to Strain

1. Anger and Resentment as Central Responses

Describe how prolonged frustration from strain turned into anger and resentment.

Connect strain theory's emphasis on anger as a key emotional response leading to deviance.

Conclusion

A. Summary of Key Points

Recap the main arguments, summarizing how strain theory can help explain the pressures and motivations behind the Columbine shooting.

B.Policy implications of strain theories (think outside the box)

References

List all scholarly sources, articles, and evidence used to support the analysis of the Columbine shooting through strain theory.