Sucultural Theory

Question 0

What is Cohen’s theory?

Answer 0

That lower class boys want to achieve success but can’t due to education failure and dead end jobs. They then reject society’s norms and turn to the subcultural and commit crimes as a way to achieve success and gain respect.

Question 1

What is deviance a result of?

Answer 1

Individuals complying to the norms and values of a social group they belong to and if the different fro, societies norms then they are considered as deviant

Question 2

What are the cons to Cohen’s theory?

Answer 2

It assumes all lower class want to achieve middle class values
Assumes all middle class values are accepted.
Doesn't consider that girls might form gangs.

Question 3

What is Merton’s strain theory?

Answer 3

Crime occurs when the social conditions place strain on individuals and when society blocks the goals they’ve set!
Poorest under the most strain so commit crimes as an illegal way to achieve success

Question 4

What are the cons to Merton’s theory?

Answer 4

Not everyone in society shares the same goals
Not all crime are committed to make money
Developed after the ‘great depression’ in the 30’s when U.S. viewed that wealth could be gain if you worked hard enough.

Question 5

What is Durkheims view?

Answer 5

That crime is useful to society as it helps to define the limits of morally acceptable behaviour.
And if the collective body of beliefs came under stress or broke down the result would be anomie

Question 6

What is Sykes and matzas view?

Answer 6

That delinquent activity itself is justified through the terms of neutralisation. The offenders convince themselves that what they are actually doing isn’t deviant.

Question 7

What are the terms of neutralisation?

Answer 7

Denial of responsibility.
Denial of victim
Denial of injury
Denial of the condemnation of the condemers 
Appeal to higher loyalties.