employers) as well as facilitate social learning (joining peers who also need to vent their frustration). Overall, 
criminal behavior serves a purpose – to escape strain, stress, or pressure.
4 
Coping Mechanism Example 
Every one feels stress and each of us copes with stress, pressure, or shame differently. Shame can motivate us to 
change for the better. For example, if you did poorly on an exam, you may start to study better. When you feel 
stress, what do you do? When I ask students how they deal with stress, many go for a run or a walk, lift weights, 
cry, talk, or eat ice cream. These are healthy (maybe not ice cream eating) and pro-social coping mechanism. When 
I feel stress I write. Often, I write nasty emails and then delete them. Fortunately, I have never accidently sent one. 
 
4. Agnew, R. (2006). Pressured into crime: An overview of general strain. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 
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SANCHEZ
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