(3.2) Functionalism: Subcultural Theory - Cloward and Ohlin Flashcards
1
Q
What two previous theories do C+O synthesise?
A
- Merton’s theory of anomie and Cohen’s of subculture
2
Q
In what way do they take Cohen’s stance?
A
- stress that juvenile delinquency is collective deviance and seek to understand its seemingly irrational character
3
Q
In what way do they expand on Cohen’s stance?
A
- concerned with explaining the different forms that deviance takes
4
Q
In what way do they criticise Merton’s theory?
A
- say that he ignored the existence of an illegitimate opportunity structure that ran parallel to the legal one
- doesn’t acknowledge that not everyone can be successful in crime, not have contacts/ training/ skills/ not have optimum location
5
Q
They believe the illegal opportunity structure has 3 levels each giving rise to its own deviant subculture - what are the three subcultures that emerge from the 3 levels?
A
- Criminal subcultures
- Conflict subcultures
- Retreatist subcultures
6
Q
What are the features of criminal subcultures?
A
- emerge in areas with an established pattern of adult crime
- the young are exposed to deviant values/ criminal skills
- have access to the illegitimate opportunity structure
- opportunity to rise in criminal hierarchy
- mainly utilitarian crime
7
Q
What are the features of conflict subcultures?
A
- conditions of criminal subcultures are absent
- access to illegitimate means are limited
- little organised adult crime
- out of frustration - subculture emerges around meaningless deviance
- means of obtaining prestige
8
Q
What are the features of retreatist subcultures?
A
- unable to succeed legitimately
- unable to access criminal/ conflict subcultures
- characterised by drug/ alcohol abuse financed by theft etc.
9
Q
What are the criticisms of this view?
A
- still ignores mc crimes
- subcultures are not always clear-cut or fit within these boundaries
- assumes if people can’t achieve legally then they’ll immediately turn to crime
