3. Subultural Theories Of Crime And Deviance Flashcards
Define subculture
Groups that develop norms and values which are different from wider society.
Define Delinquent subcultures
Groups that develop norms that encourage and reward criminal activity.
Who did Merton ignore when studying crime?
Ignored group crime, non-utilitarian crime
What are most subcultural theorists?
Functionalists
What does a lack of opportunities lead to?
Crime
What are delinquent subcultures seen as?
Seen as a reaction by working class males
What was Cohen’s theory?
Status frustration
Cohen’s status frustration: What type of response is delinquency?
Delinquency is a collective rather than an individual response.
Cohen’s Status frustration: What do W/C youths believe in?
W/C youths do believe in success goals of mainstream culture but their road to success is blocked.
Cohen’s Status frustration: Where are W/C youths stuck?
There stuck at the bottom of the social structure, lacking opportunity. Feeling invisible to society.
Cohen’s Status frustration: What do W/C youths feel is denied?
They feel denied a status within society so experience ‘status frustration’ resulting in delinquent subcultures where being good at rime gains status and respect.
Cohen’s Status frustration: What values do delinquent subcultures exhibit?
-Reversal of accepted forms of behaviour
-Revenge for being denied a status in society
Cohen’s Status frustration: Reversal of accepted forms of behaviour
-Gaining respect for being rebellious by reversing society’s accepted behaviours
-Instead of hard work, respect for property etc status gained through stealing, vandalism etc
Cohen’s Status frustration: Revenge for being denied a status in society
-Juvenile offences not always motivated by financial gain but getting back at society
Cohen’s Status frustration: What does being denied a status in society lead to?
-Frustration at life
-Form/joining a delinquent subculture
-Resulting in crime and deviance
What was Cloward and Ohlin’s theory?
Subcultural opportunities