3. Subcultural Theories (1): Cohen

Question 1

1. Similarities and Differences with Merton

Answer 1

• Agrees with Merton that deviance is largely a lower-class phenomenon.
• Results from the inability of those in the lower classes to achieve mainstream success goals by legitimate means

• Cohen: criticises Merton’s explanation of deviance on two grounds

1. Merton sees deviance as an individual response to strain…
   - Ignores the fact that much deviance is committed by groups, especially among the young.
2. Merton focuses on utilitarian crime committed for material gain, such as theft or fraud.
   - He largely ignores crimes such as assault and vandalism

Question 2

2. Status Frustration

Answer 2

• Cohen: focuses on deviance among WC boys.

• Argues that they face anomie in the MC dominated school system
• Inability to succeed in MC world leaves them at the bottom of the official status hierarchy.

• As a result of being unable to achieve status by legitimate means (education), they suffer status frustration.

Question 3

3. Alternative Status Hierarchy

Answer 3

• Cohen: resolve frustration by rejecting MC values and turn instead to other boys in the same situation, forming a delinquent subculture.
• Cohen: subculture’s values are hostility towards those outside it.
• Delinquent subculture inverts the values of mainstream society.
• What society condemns, the subculture praises (vice versa)
• Society upholds regular school attendance and respect for property…
• In subculture, boys gain status from vandalising property and truanting

• Subculture’s function is offering the boys an alternative status hierarchy in which they can achieve…
- Having failed in legitimate opportunity structure, boys create their own illegitimate opportunity structure in which they win status from peers through deviance.

Question 4

4. Evaluation of Cohen

Answer 4

Strength:
- Offers an explanation for non-utilitarian deviance (e.g. vandalism)

Weakness:
- Cohen assumes WC boys start off with MC success goals only to reject them after failure. They may have never shared these goals.

Question 5

Summary

Answer 5

1. Merton Similarities / Differences
2. Status Frustration
3. Alternative Status Hierarchy
4. Evaluation