Is Ignorance Bliss: Examining the Association Between Observed and Perceived Strain, Anger, and Projected Offending

Abstract

General Strain Theory argues that strain affects the experience of negative emotions and the likelihood of deviant coping. However, negative affective states and deviant coping can still emerge even when individuals fail to acknowledge or recognize the import of adversity. Using data from the Reintegrative Shaming Experiments, we compare the effects of strain observed by others and strain that is perceived by the individual on anger and projected offending. We find that offender perceptions of negative treatment predict anger while observed strain does not. Although observed and perceived strain increase projected offending, anger mediates the latter relationship.

Publication Title

Deviant Behavior

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