Subcultural theory

Question 1

Basic ideas (2)

Answer 1

Build on Merton’s strain theory but focus on the position of groups in the social structure rather than individuals, people who commit crimes share diff values than law-abiding people

Question 2

Cohen (2)

Answer 2

Lower w/c boys want success but cannot achieve their goals because cultural deprivation leads to educational failure, they suffer from status frustration and turn to delinquency to gain an alternative status to solve this problem

Question 3

Cohen evaluation (2)

Answer 3

Cohen explains crime that involves no monetary reward bc delinquent activities are about gaining the status they want :)

Lyng- people commit delinquent acts for fun and get a thrill from edgework (acts on the edge of deviance) :(

Question 4

Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 4

Explain diff types of w/c delinquency e.g. why some gangs are concerned with theft and others focus on violence, build on Merton- accepted means to reach goals are ‘legitimate opportunity structure’

Believe a person’s reaction to strain will depend on social environment in which they grow up

Question 5

Cloward and Ohlin- criminal subculture

Answer 5

Develop in stable w/c areas where there’s an established pattern of adult crime- young criminals enter a criminal ‘career ladder’

Question 6

Cloward and Ohlin- retreatism subculture

Answer 6

A more individual response- ‘double failures’ in mainstream society (legitimate means) and criminal subcultures (illegitimate means), drug use common

Question 7

Cloward and Ohlin- conflict subcultures (2)

Answer 7

Emerge in socially disorganised areas= high rate of population turnover, characterised by violence and street crime

Question 8

Cloward and Ohlin evaluation (2)

Answer 8

They explain w/c deviance which is not just concerned with monetary gain (non-utilitarian crime) :)

Ignore the overlap between their different types of subcultures e.g. criminal gang members often deal drugs :(

Question 9

Shaw and McKay

Answer 9

Ecological approach- delinquent subcultures were common in inner city areas due to the cultural transmission of deviant knowledge and attitudes

Question 10

Miller (3)

Answer 10

Focal concerns- Cohen assumes the w/c delinquents see mainstream values as superior but Miller disagrees: he things w/c have their own values which they see as superior

These focal concerns develop in w/c bc they do low paid repetitive labour and w/c male subcultures helps to cope with this

Question 11

Miller focal concerns (3)

Answer 11

Toughness, smartness, excitement

Question 12

Miller evaluation (2)

Answer 12

Murray (New right) would support Miller’s ideas arguing that there is a distinct underclass whose values encourage deviant behaviour :)

Little evidence that these focal concerns are restricted to w/c males, could be found in m/c rugby team :(

Question 13

Matza delinquency

Answer 13

Sub theory is too deterministic- people do have choices
Everyone has the potential to commit crime due to ‘subterranean values’ that are only expressed in certain situations e.g. wanting to be tough

Question 14

Matza drift

Answer 14

Delinquency isn’t permanent: People ‘drift’ in and out of deviance, especially the young who are in a period of transition so susceptible to peer pressure