Subcultures Theories Of Crime Flashcards
What are delinquents subcultures and who do they apply to?
Groups whose norms and values are deviant and they apply to Merton’s idea of a strain between goals and means.
What died subcultural theories include?
-Albert cohen’s (status frustration)
-cloward and Ohlin (three subcultures)
What is cohen’s focus on ?
On deviance among working class boys. And how they face anomie in the middle class school system.
According to Cohen what do subcultures value?
-malice
-hostility
How does status frustration happen according to Cohen?
Because they can’t achieve their goals by legitimate means they suffer status frustration and so they resolve this by rejecting middle class values and turn to other boys in the same situation, forming or joining a delinquent subculture.
What does cohen believe is the function of subcultures?
It offers the boys an alternative status hierarchy in which they can achieve, so what society condemns the subculture praises.
What do Cloward and Ohlin believe about three subcultures?
Different neighbourhoods give rise to different types of deviant subcultures.
What are the THREE subcultures?
-criminal subculture
-conflict subculture
-retreatist subculture
What is meant by criminal subculture?
It arises in areas where there is a longstanding professional criminal network. So they select suitable youths for an ‘apprenticeship’ in utilitarian crime and future criminal career.
What is meant by a conflict subculture?
It arises where the only criminal opportunities are within street gangs. Violence provides release for frustration and a source of status earned by winning territory from rival gangs.
What is meant by retreatist subculture?
Are made up of dropouts who have failed both in the legitimate and illegitimate opportunity structures. They are often based on drug use.
What are some evaluations of subcultures?
-STRENGTHS: it shows how subcultures perform a function for members by offering solutions to problems of failing to achieve goals.
-WEAKNESSES: ignores crimes of the wealthy & assumes everyone wants mainstream goals and turn to subcultures when they fail.
