Little research has examined the influence of the American dream and its impact on African Americans. Few studies have emphasized the economic goals central to the core tenets of the American dream. This study is based on a sample approximately half African American and measures the American dream in economic terms. The findings indicate that African Americans maintain a stronger commitment to the American dream than do whites, but the nature of its influence on behavior offers little support for social control theory (emphasizing positive impact) among either whites or blacks. Its effect is, however, consistent with strain theory (stressing negative implications), but only among whites. The implications of the inapplicability of both strain and control theories (two of the most dominant theories in the field of criminology) to African Americans are discussed. References