What does strain theory suggest is the cause of crime?

Strain theory posits that crime is primarily the result of individuals experiencing frustration and anger due to their inability to achieve socially accepted goals through legitimate means. When people are unable to reach these goals—like financial success, status, or social acceptance—they may resort to criminal behavior as a way to cope with or escape their feelings of inadequacy and disappointment.

This perspective underscores the societal pressures that create strain, leading individuals to develop negative emotions and potentially engage in deviance as an alternative means to fulfill their aspirations. Unlike the other options, which focus on biological, media influence, or law enforcement factors, strain theory emphasizes the social and psychological dimensions of crime, rooted in the individual's experience of societal expectations and the barriers they face in reaching them.