subcultural crime 40 marker

Question 1

introduction

Answer 1

similar to merton as both explain the origins of deviance in terms of individuals position in society
eg different norms and values for gangs where crime is rewarded (positive reinforcement)

Question 2

POINT 1: Cohen (1995) Delinquent Subculture- Status Frustration introduction

Answer 2

Cohen developed Merton’s work on anomie.
cohen made 2 major criticisms:
-delinquency is collective
-merton doesn’t talk abt non utilitarian crime such as vandalism and joy riding which have no monetary gain

Question 3

what research did Cohen do on sub cultural theory of crime

Answer 3

young working class boys with same goals as rest of society but due to educational failure and dead end jobs they don’t attain these goals- explained due to their position in society.don’t necessarily turn to crime (Merton) but make their own norms and values in which to achieve success by forming a delinquent subculture (give examples of high value) eg Anti-School Subcultures

Question 4

cohen evaluation BMCC

Answer 4

(-) Box: existence of self-fulfilling prophecy. doesn’t explain why every young working class male is a criminal
(-) Matza: his research found many young delinquents accepted mainstream values;not committed to criminal subculture LINK TO FUNCTIONALISTS
(-) cohen ignores female delinquency eg feminist sociologist carlen would criticise the study. Campbell’s research on delinquents in NY proved young females also commit crime
(-) Cohen ignores agencies of social control eg police using racial profiling

Question 5

POINT 2 (1961) Cloward and Ohlin- Delinquency and Opportunity introduction

Answer 5

combined both cohen and mertons work. agreed w merton on wc committing crime but believe merton fails to distinguish between different crime types
-Merton talks abt legitimate opportunity structure but doesn’t mention illegitimate where success is gained illegally through crime

Question 6

Cloward and Ohlin (1961) Three possible routes as a reaction to WC having status frustration (CCR)

Answer 6

1) criminal (areas where adult crime happens)
primary and secondary socialisation where kids learn from young age to commit crime, often for monetary reward
2) conflict (young have little opportunity)
gang violence to release anger and frustration but also gain value among peers.
3) retreatists (lower class)
double failures- failed in success and crime both. revolve around recreational drugs

Question 7

A03 Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 7

(+) includes both merton and cohen
(-) Burke: Cloward and Ohlin’s idea of criminal subculture based on chicago gangs in 1920’s so not valid or reliable
2)assumes wc is homogenous
3) outlines drug abuse but fails to point out its an issue in higher classes
(-) Taylor: wrongly assumes everyone in USA is committed to wealth and success

Question 8

POINT 3: Cultural Criminology and Subcultures Katz (1985)

Answer 8

focuses on changes from modern to post modern society and impact on WC community and criminality.
sees delinquent subcultures as methods of expressing identity, resistance and power struggles (eg Iran Conflict) -link to spectacular subcultures such as clarke skinheads
argues sociological explanations are focused on class, ethnicity and gender but ignores attraction of crime to some people

Question 9

POINT 4: Matza Delinquency and Drift introduction

Answer 9

provides functionalist alternative to subcultural theory where he suggests we all share delinquent values but most suppress them. this is a learned skill and says we are more likely to commit crime when we’re younger and less when we age. people are neither conformist nor deviant but instead drift into both

Question 10

Matza A02 delinquency and drift

Answer 10

proof for subterranean/underground values come from people wanting to neutralise their deviant acts. people seek ways to justify their deviant behaviour or question their responsibility amongst mainstream values eg victimising, gaslighting “it wasn’t me” “you made me”

Question 11

AO3 Matza Delinquency and Drift

Answer 11

(-) excuses could be used to avoid punishment rather than drift back into mainstream values
(-) techniques of neutralisation is deviant behaviour itself and shows deviant is default
(+) real life examples of people being deviant when young but ending up in respectable positions such as bank managers