Subcultural Perspective on C&D

Question 1

what do subcultural theorists argue

Answer 1

-crime caused by subcultures adhering to different norms/values to mainstream society

Question 2

do subcultural theorists support strain theory or social control theory

Answer 2

strain theory

Question 3

who are the 4 main subcultural theorists and their theories

Answer 3

-Cohen Status Frustration
-Cloward and Ohlin’s three types
-Miller Focal Concerns
-Matza Drift Theory

Question 4

what does Cohen argue about status frustration

Answer 4

-w/c subcultures emerge from status frustration from failing to gain m/c success in mainstream society
-status gained through CD and following subcultural norms

Question 5

evaluate Cohen’s status frustration theory

Answer 5

-malestream sociology
-Cohen over values education’s contribution to status frustration

Question 6

what were the three types of subcultures identified by Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 6

-criminal subcultures
-conflict subcultures
-retreatist subcultures

Question 7

describe criminal subcultures identified by Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 7

-committed utilitarian crimes
-develop in w/c areas with established patterns of crime which offers jobs

Question 8

describe conflict subcultures identified by Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 8

-emerge from disorganised areas which prevent stable adult criminal subcultures
-commit street crime and gang culture

Question 9

describe retreats subcultures identified by Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 9

-commit petty theft and prostitution to aid retreat into substance abuse

Question 10

evaluate Cloward and Ohlin’s three types of subcultures theory

Answer 10

-hard to categorise in reality

Question 11

how does Miller differ from Cohen and Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 11

-views subcultures as a way of life rather than a reaction to anomie

Question 12

explain Miller’s focal concerns theory

Answer 12

-w/c socialised into different set of focal concerns which value toughness and fatalism
-w/c conform to gain status which leads to CD

Question 13

evaluate Miller’s focal concerns theory

Answer 13

-no reference to white collar crime
-little evidence that focal concerns are purely w/c

Question 14

who criticises functionalist subcultural theorists

Answer 14

Matza

Question 15

why does Matza criticise functionalist subcultural theorists

Answer 15

-only offer a partial view of CD
-no distinct subcultures among young people
-individuals drift in and out of delinquency

Question 16

what do postmodernists argue about subcultural CD

Answer 16

-subcultures more common than before and are a normal part of life and deviance/ subcultures are normalised

Question 17

what study supports Miller’s focal concerns

Answer 17

Willis 12 w/c lads