functionalist: other subcultural strain theories

Question 1

SUTHERLAND: differential association theory

Answer 1

• deviance is behaviour learned through social interactions of others who are deviant (learning criminal values/skills)
• difficult for young people in urban areas to obey law because of frequent association with people living in crime

Question 2

SHAW & MCKAY: cultural transmission theory

Answer 2

• they engage in cultural transmission; transmit skills and values from one generation to another
• inner city zones lack of community spirit and social control thus a high rate crime
• movement of people in and out prevent formation of stable communities and social control

Question 3

CLOWARD & OHLIN

Answer 3

• agree with MERTON as WC youths are denied legitimate opportunities so their deviance is from their response
• BUT they argue that not everyone adapts to this situation through innovation (different subcultures respond differently)

Question 4

different responses due to unequal access:

Answer 4

1. legitimate opportunity structure; e.g. passing exams, job

2. illegitimate opportunity structure e.g. being in gangs

Question 5

‘Chicago school’

Answer 5

• suggests that different neighbourhoods provide different illegitimate opportunities for young people to learn criminal skills and develop criminal careers

Question 6

CRIMINAL SUBCULTURES

Answer 6

• provide career in utilitarian crimes
• neighbourhoods with stable local criminal culture with a hierarchy
• the young associates with adult criminals that provide role model and employment on the criminal status ladder
• e.g. the Kray gang 1960s

Question 7

CONFLICT SUBCULTURES

Answer 7

• neighbourhoods of high population turnover
• loosley organised gangs and territorial street gangs engaging in masculine violence
• compete for ‘turfs’ from rival gangs
• violence is a release of frustration

-e.g. 2011 & 2014 approx. 6600 crimes and 24 murders in London

Question 8

RETREATIST SUBCULTURE

Answer 8

• in any neighbourhood not all aspire to be professional criminal succeed
• ‘double failures’ dont have access to legitimate and illegitimate opportunities

Question 9

advantages

Answer 9

+ agree with COHEN that delinquent subcultures are the source of deviance
+ unlike COHEN they provide explanation for different types of WC deviance

Question 10

disadvantages

Answer 10

• ignores white collar crime that are committed by wealthy, white, MC business men
• MARSHALL; they have cloward & ohlin exaggerated criminal opportunities available to young people since most youths never come into contact with subcultures
• KATZ, MILOVANOVIC & LYNG (postmodernist); most delinquency is not committed as part of subculture instead it is individualistic and fuelled by excitement of being caught
• all strain theories are reactive since they assume everyone starts off sharing the same success goal but MILLER found lower class has its own independent subculture with its own values