Cohen's Subculture Theory

Question 1

What is a subculture?

Answer 1

• A subculture is a group of people who share norms or values which are different from mainstream culture

Question 2

What do subculture theorists believe?

Answer 2

• They focus on the position of groups in social structure rather than individuals
• They see subcultures as providing an alternative opportunity structure for those denied by legitimate means
• Subcultures offer a solution to a problem which is functional for it’s members

Question 3

What does Cohen and Merton agree on?

Answer 3

Cohen agrees with Merton that deviance is a working class phenomena due to the inability to achieve success goals through legitimate means which means they experience status frustration leading them to commit crime

Question 4

What are the two reasons Cohen disagrees with Merton?

Answer 4

• Cohen disagrees with Merton’s explanation of crime and deviance for two reasons:
  1. Merton sees deviance as an individual response which does not explain that many deviant acts are committed by youth groups
  2. Merton ignores non-utilitarian crime and only focuses on crime with an economic benefit

Question 5

How does working class resolve their frustration?

Answer 5

• Cohen believes that working class young people resolve their frustration by rejecting mainstream, middle class values
• They then form a delinquent subcultures with others in the same position
• Their subculture values are spite, malice and hostility
• They invert mainstream values and value things seen as problematic
• They get back at society who denied them status

Question 6

What is an alternative status hierarchy?

Answer 6

• This delinquent subculture allows them to achieve a status
• Things that mainstream society condemns, they praise
• This behaviour allows them to gain a status within the subculture which they are able to achieve