A generally law-abiding man laid off during the economic depression is having trouble feeding his family and writes a cheque for groceries when he knows he has no money. What theory explaining crime best fits this example?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The strain theory argues that people commit crimes when they are unable to attain their goals through legitimate means. In this example, the man is experiencing economic strain and cannot provide for his family through legal channels, so he resorts to writing a bad check as a means of survival.

A Generally Law-Abiding Man Laid Off During the Economic Depression