Subcultural Theory Flashcards
What did Cohen research ?
working-class boys and how they face strain in the mainstream middle-class culture of the education system.
What did the strain lead to ?
Status Frustration
What is Status Frustration ?
people get upset because they can’t achieve the success or recognition they want. This frustration can lead them to break rules or act out.
What did Cloward and Ohlin say ?
Not all subcultures respond to their failure in the same way. They suggested that there were three different forms of subculture that exist.
What is a criminal subculture ?
people turn to crime as a way to achieve success. They learn criminal behaviour from others in their community.
What is a conflict subculture ?
people face frustration and respond with violence or aggression. They may not have the skills for organised crime, so they fight to gain respect.
What is retreatist subculture ?
people who have failed in both legitimate and criminal ways. They “retreat” from society, often turning to drug use or other behaviours that allow them to escape their problems
What is Alternative Status Hierarchy by Cohen ?
students form subcultures and create new goals that are achievable to them, which usually conflict with the middle class culture of the school
