Assignment:
Abstract
This study examines Merton's Classical Strain Theory (1938) as a causative factor in intimate partner violence among college students. We theorize that college students experience general life strain and cumulative strain as they pursue the goal of a college degree. We test this strain on the likeli¬hood of using intimate partner violence. Strain due to unrealistic expecta¬tions of intimate partnership and economic strain are also examined.
The analysis examines the following causative factors representing strain:
I) the College Undergraduate Stress Scale (Renner & Mackin, 1998);
2) cumulative academic strain measured by college classification;
3) cumulative intimate partner strain measured as the length of time in the relationship;
4) academic strain measured by number of hours studied weekly, and
5) economic strain measured by number of hours worked weekly.
Additionally, we examine the extent to which gender and race/ethnicity differentially affect intimate part¬ner in the context of these measures of strain.The Conflict Tactics Scales II (Straus et a1,1996) are used to measure dating violence and include indicators for sexual coercion, physical aggression, injury, and psychological aggression. Data were collected from 142 students in lower-division classes from Texas Tech University. Results show that general strain and cumulative intimate partner strain increase the use of dating violence among college students.
Questions 1: Please provide an overview of Merton's (1938) strain theory. According to Merton (1938), why do people engage in crime?
Question 2: Please read "The effects of academic and interpersonal stress on dating violence among college students: A test of classical strain theory" by Brandon Mason and Martha Smithey. Sum up their study and report their major findings.
Response Paper: The Business of Being Born
Please reflect on the documentary The Business of Being Born. This short essay (2/3) pages, double spaced, is your opinion and does not need to include references. If you do use reference materials please cite correctly in text and submit a reference page.
Please share one thing from the documentary that you learned and offer any critiques or questions that arose for you. In addition please respond to the following questions:
1. Why do you believe that we are moving towards a business model of service in the world of labor and delivery and maternal health care?
2. What impacts do you think the current health insurance models have on the trend of "medicalizing" birth?