(3.1) Functionalism: Subcultural Theory - Cohen

Question 1

What two areas does the subcultural theory focus on?

Answer 1

• non-utilitarian crime

- group crime

Question 2

Who was the first sociologist to use subcultural theory to explain deviance?

Answer 2

Cohen

Question 3

What are Cohen’s two main criticisms of Merton’s work?

Answer 3

• believes Merton’s work is highly plausible for explaining some crimes but it fails to account for innovative non-utilitarian crimes
• Cohen argues that much deviance is committed collectively in a group/ gang rather than individually and Merton doesn’t account for this

Question 4

Show how Cohen explains why young working class males suffer from status frustration

Answer 4

• initially accept wider social and cultural goals
• become increasingly aware of inability to achieve goals via legitimate means
• inability explained by position in social structure
• cultural deprivation accounts for lack of educational success
• consequently often labelled and found in lower streams - denying status and success
• stuck at bottom of system, blocked opportunities for success, branded as failures
• leads to status frustration

Question 5

How does Cohen explain that they resolve their frustration?

Answer 5

• by rejecting the success goals of mainstream society

Question 6

Although gang delinquency is seemingly irrational and destructive, what does Cohen argue?

Answer 6

• gang delinquency is indicative of a reversal of acceptable forms of behaviour ie. rudeness, violence, vandalism, malicious
• all are condemned in society but are elevated to a central position in the subculture

Question 7

What function does Cohen see the subculture as serving?

Answer 7

• as a reaction-formation to status frustration

- a means of hitting back at a mc society that has condemned them to failure

Question 8

In conclusion, how does Cohen explain deviance?

Answer 8

• a consequence of pressure from the social structure (taken from Merton’s ideas)
• reinforced from the subculture

Question 9

Identify a strength of Cohen’s theory about how it has developed Merton’s theory

Answer 9

• he contributes points that are applicable for non-utilitarian crime, whereas Merton only focuses on the pressures people face to gain money

Question 10

Identify an assumption about the working class that they both make

Answer 10

• the wc are at a disadvantage for success eg. money or in education
• both argue inequalities in opportunities cause crime

Question 11

What evidence is there that Cohen is generalised about wc males?

Answer 11

• many are hard-working and achieve well in school/ apprenticeships etc.

Question 12

Does every wc boy suffer status frustration?

Answer 12

• no, many accept and are satisfied in their status and so don’t experience frustration when they can’t gain mc status

Question 13

Does Cohen focus too heavily on education?

Answer 13

• yes, there are numerous other reasons why wc boys commit crime/ become part of a delinquent subculture eg. boredom, lack of male role model - which Cohen doesn’t discuss

Question 14

Does Cohen focus too heavily on the crimes of wc boys?

Answer 14

• yes, doesn’t explain crimes of older, younger, female - BUT actually at the time it was considered that males had the monopoly on crime so it is understandable

Question 15

Are wc boys always stuck in lower sets?

Answer 15

• actually, a lot of teachers/ schools encourage/ help wc pupils so they can move up into higher band - lower band doesn’t remove all chance for success

Question 16

Can status frustration only be solved through crime/ deviance?

Answer 16

• no, wc boys may resolve it in other ways

Question 17

Does Cohen confront mc crime?

Answer 17

• no, ignores white collar etc

Question 18

What myth does Cohen perpetuate?

Answer 18

• that crime is a wc problem

Question 19

What are a couple of strengths of Cohen’s theory?

Answer 19

• explores group crime which Merton doesn’t

- exploration of non-utilitarian crimes compliments Merton’s theory