Subcultural Theories Flashcards
What are subcultural theories?
Explain deviance in terms of a specific group rather then the individual, explaining why certain groups form different norms and values then others. They usually focus on why working class people commit crime, on juvenile delinquency which is often malicious and not linked too material or financial goals. Why juvenile delinquency has a collective character.
What did Cohen come up with?
He argued that individuals want status, respect and to feel valued if not achieved, this lead to status frustration, resulting in things like violence and truancy.
How did Box critis Cohen?
He says it only applies to a minority of delinquents . The rest accept main stream standards of success but resent being seen as failures and turn on those who they feel look down on them.
What did Cloward and Ohlin argue?
There is an illegitimate opportunity structure that Merton fails to see along with his legitimate structure. This is when people use means that don’t conform with society in the means they reach a goal and turn to things like criminal activity. They believe that working class people are more likely to turn to these as they have less opportunity. They turn to criminal subcultures, conflict subcultures and retreating subcultures.
What are retreatist subcultures?
Cloward and Ohlin argue working class people turn to drugs and alcohol and similar when they can’t reach the main stream goals.
How does Taylor, Walton and Young critis Cloward and Ohlin?
For assuming everyone is commited to the goal of achieving wealth. They point out the existence of other possible goals and note that certain groups such as hippies reject the goal of wealth
How does South critis Cloward and Ohlin?
Three subcultures are too distinct and one subculture often merges into another.
What recent factor has lead more people to turn to illegitimate means of making money?
The cost of living
What did Miller argue?
The lower classes have their own distinctive values which were passed on from generation and which actively encouraged lower class men to break the law. Delinquency is the result of exaggerated conformity to these
What are Millers 6 focal concerns?
- Smartness. 2. Trouble. 3. Excitement. 4. Toughness. 5. Autonomy. 6. Fate
What’s a critism of Miller?
He shows little evidence that this is specifically lower class culture.
Who came up with the idea of the underclass?
Murray.
How did Taylor critis Murray?
He rejects Murrays New Right ideas but accepts that there is an underclass. He believes that young, unskilled working class males have been impacted by the increasingly inequality and declining job prospects. Underclass criminal activity is a result of material deprivation father than unacceptable culture and a lack of norms and values
What did Tham find?
He compared welfare states between Sweden and Britain. Sweden has a more generous welfare system than Britain but crime increased much faster in Britain in the 1980s.
What did Mooney find?
There is no link between single parents familys and criminality. SPF are more likely to be victims of crimes.
