Subcultrual Theories - Three Subcultures Flashcards
1
Q
Who came up with the 3 subcultures theory?
A
Cloward and ohlin
2
Q
What did cloward and ohlin say was the cause of crime?
A
lack of legitimate opportunities
3
Q
How does cloward and ohlin differ from Cohen’s theory?
A
says there are a number of responses to status frustration
4
Q
What does cloward and ohlin try to explain?
A
- Why some subcultures resort to violence and vandalism
- whilst some resort to economic crime or illegal drug use
5
Q
What is the key reason for different responses?
A
- unequal access to legitimate opportunities
- unequal access to illegitimate opportunities
- different opportunities for young p’s to learn criminal skills and have criminal careers
6
Q
What are the 3 subcultures?
A
- criminal
- conflict
- retreatist
7
Q
What is a criminal subculture?
A
- young p’s work way up in criminal hierarchy
- arise in areas w/ an established hierarchy of successful crime careers
- provide young p’s with training and role models
- young p’s have opportunities to climb criminal ladder
8
Q
What is conflict subcultures?
A
- no local criminal subculture
- territorial groups exist to recruit young p’s in area
- these engage in violence to achieve status and respect
9
Q
What is retreatist subcultures?
A
- p’s have no opportunities to engage in either criminal or conflict subcultures
- ‘double failure’
- retreat into alcohol or drugs
- spend their time with others who drop out of society
10
Q
What’s a strengths of cloward and ohlin?
A
- provides and explanation to why some subcultures focus on non utilitarian crime while others focus on utilitarian
- in 1960’s ohlin was asked to develop crime policy in USA
11
Q
What are the weaknesses of cloward and ohlin’s theory?
A
- ignores crime of wealthy
- individuals drift in and out of delinquency therefore not committed to their subculture
