An integrated theory is a combination of 2 or 3 theories that offers many explanations for why a crime occurs, compared to a traditional crime theory that focuses only on one type of aspect (Lilly et al. 2010). The purpose of integrated theories is to help explain many aspects of what causes criminal behavior and why people become criminals. From this arises the discussion on the possibility of using integrated theories to explain all criminal behavior. Integrated theories are able to explain some aspects of criminality on what leads a person to become deviant; however, a theory alone cannot explain why an individual commits a crime. This article will examine three integrated theories and take an in-depth look at how these theories can explain different aspects of why criminal behavior occurs and the weakness of each theory. The three integrated theories that will be discussed in this article are Cloward and Ohlin's differential opportunity theory, Robert Agnew's general strain theory, and finally Travis Hirschi's social bond theory. Cloward and Ohlin's differential opportunity theory merges ideas from Merton's strain theory and Robert Merton's strain theory. theory and the Chicago school on how criminal behavior is learned through cultural transmission (Lilly et al. 2010). The Chicago school was based on Edwin Sutherland's theory of Differential Association and the research of the Chicago school played an immense role for these two theorists in understanding criminal behavior and developing their own theory. Robert Merton's Strain theory focuses exclusively on the American dream and the failure to achieve economic success, particularly his research examined the barriers of social structure for the lower classes (Bernburg 2002). Differential opportunity focused on the...... middle of paper...... people commit crimes and are not limited to one aspect as in the original theory. For example, Merton's strain theory considered only one aspect of opportunities blocked due to the inability to achieve economic success. Differential opportunity theory has helped explain the different illegitimate means that lead people to commit crimes, such as poverty and high concentrations of youth living in slums (Murphy & Robinson, 2009). Agnew's general strain theory takes a micro approach to examine the different types of strains that drive people to commit crimes (Lilly et al. 2010). While these theories explain some aspects of the causes of crime, they do not explain the only reason why criminal behavior occurs or why different crimes are committed. However, integrated theories are useful for understanding some aspects of why people commit crimes and engage in deviant behavior.