According to general strain theory, what impact can societal goals have on individuals?

General strain theory, developed by Robert Agnew, posits that societal expectations and goals can create stressors that lead individuals to experience strain. When people feel unable to achieve culturally prescribed goals—such as wealth, success, or social status—they may respond in various ways, including the formation of subcultures as a means of coping with their experiences of frustration and alienation.

Promoting subcultures in response to strain is a reflection of how individuals or groups adapt to the disconnect between societal expectations and their ability to realize those ambitions. This can manifest in various ways, such as the emergence of alternative values or norms that provide a sense of identity and belonging to those who feel marginalized. These subcultures often develop as mechanisms to either reject mainstream goals or redefine success and acceptance according to their unique contexts.

For instance, youth who find traditional pathways to success unattainable might gravitate towards peer groups that value different achievements, such as street credibility or forms of alternative expression. This transformation of social identity highlights a profound understanding within criminology of how societal pressures influence behavior and contribute to the formation of distinct social groups.