functionalism and Subcultures Flashcards
What is the main premise of Functionalism?
Functionalism views society as a system of interrelated parts working together for stability and consensus.
Who is associated with the concept of Collective Conscience?
Durkheim (1895)
What does Collective Conscience refer to?
The shared beliefs and values in society that create social cohesion.
What is the role of crime according to Durkheim?
Crime serves to reaffirm societal boundaries and can promote social cohesion.
What happens when there is too much crime, according to Durkheim?
It leads to anomie and egoism.
Who criticized the exaggeration of Collective Conscience?
Newburn (2013)
What is Strain Theory, and who proposed it?
Strain Theory, proposed by Merton (1930), suggests that crime occurs when individuals cannot achieve socially approved goals.
What are the five forms of behavior identified in Strain Theory?
- Conformity
- Innovation
- Ritualism
- Retreatism
- Rebellion
What did Valier (2001) argue regarding goals in Strain Theory?
There is a variety of goals that people strive to attain, influenced by factors such as class, gender, and ethnicity.
What concept did Cohen (1955) introduce related to subcultures?
Status Frustration
What is Status Frustration in Cohen’s theory?
W/C male youth reject middle-class values due to their inability to achieve them, forming subcultures as alternative routes to success.
What did Box (1981) suggest about female delinquency in relation to Cohen’s theory?
It only applies to a minority who originally accept mainstream values.
What do Cloward & Ohlin (1960) propose about Illegitimate Opportunity Structures?
They suggest that crime can be a successful career path, leading to different forms of juvenile delinquency.
What are the three types of subcultures identified by Cloward & Ohlin?
- Criminal
- Conflict
- Retreatist
What does Miller (1962) say about lower class youths?
They are socialized into a set of lower-class values and never fully accept mainstream norms.
What is a focal concern according to Miller?
Toughness is a focal concern that provides status in working-class culture.
What criticism is associated with Miller’s theory?
It only looks at the working class and is considered outdated.
