subculture explanation Flashcards
What do subcultural theories argue regarding certain groups?
Certain groups develop norms and values that are different from those held by other members of society.
What is status frustration according to Cohen?
When groups of working-class youths realize they cannot achieve societal success through legitimate means, leading to the development of new deviant goals.
What leads to the formation of delinquent subcultures according to Cohen?
Material deprivation and cultural deprivation leading to educational failure among working-class boys.
What activities are valued within delinquent subcultures?
- Stealing
- Vandalism
- Truancy
According to Cohen, where do youths gain prestige when they do not receive it in mainstream society?
From subcultural peers.
What do Cloward and Ohlin suggest is necessary for deviance to occur?
Access to illegitimate opportunity structures.
What are the three types of subculture identified by Cloward and Ohlin?
- Criminal
- Conflict
- Retreatist
What characterizes criminal subcultures according to Cloward and Ohlin?
They emerge in areas with established patterns of organized adult crime where children learn from their parents.
What is a defining feature of conflict subcultures?
Develop in areas with little access to illegitimate opportunity structures and often result in gang violence.
What do retreatist subcultures revolve around?
Illegal drug use, formed by lower-class adolescents who have failed in both legitimate and illegitimate structures.
What term did Miller use to describe the value system created by the lower classes?
Focal concerns.
What are the focal concerns identified by Miller?
- Fate
- Excitement
- Autonomy
- Smartness
- Trouble
- Toughness
What does Miller argue is the purpose of the working-class subculture?
A mechanism full of processes allowing working-class people to cope with their situation.
