Sociological Positivism: Sub-Cultural Theories Flashcards
(17 cards)
How does social constructivism differ from positivism?
Focuses on reactions and meanings, not causes. Crime is socially constructed, not objectively discovered.
Why do labels matter in crime?
Labels affect self-identity, social treatment, and can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy (e.g., being seen as a ‘criminal’).
What is the ‘master status’ in labelling theory?
Once labelled, the criminal label becomes the main identity, overriding other characteristics.
Who describes primary and secondary deviance?
Lemert
What is a moral entrepreneur or crusader?
Someone who feels morally compelled to “save” others from harmful behaviours, often promoting rules or laws to enforce their beliefs.
What did Becker (1963) say about moral crusaders?
They aim to help those “beneath them” achieve better status, even if those people resist their methods
What is Becker’s (1963) central idea from Outsiders?
Deviance is not inherent in an act but is created by social groups labelling certain behaviours and people as deviant.
What is Stanley Cohen’s (1972) theory of folk devils and moral panics?
A process where a deviant act is exaggerated by the media and moral entrepreneurs, leading to public outcry and harsh responses.
What quote summarises McAra & McVie’s view on labelling?
“The master status of troubled/troublesome youngster results in amplified levels of intervention.”
What is Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory (1947)?
Crime is learned through social interaction; frequency and intensity of associations influence criminal behaviour and attitudes.
What does Albert Cohen (1955) argue in Delinquent Boys?
Working-class boys experience ‘status frustration’ and form delinquent subcultures that reject middle-class norms.
What is Cloward & Ohlin’s (1960) contribution?
They added the concept of unequal access to illegitimate opportunities, influencing the type of subculture formed (criminal, conflict, retreatist).
What does Matza (1964) say in Delinquency and Drift?
Youths ‘drift’ between conformity and delinquency; use ‘techniques of neutralisation’ to justify deviant acts.
List Matza’s 5 techniques of neutralisation
Denial of responsibility -‘it wasn’t my fault’
Denial of injury -‘no one will miss it’
Denial of victim -‘they were asking for it’
Condemnation of condemners -‘they would have done it too’
Appeal to higher loyalties -‘I was only protecting my family’
What is Downes’ (1966) Delinquent Solution?
British youths seek leisure and peer conformity, not rebellion; delinquency often reflects working-class values.
What did Hall & Jefferson (1976) contribute?
Argued youth subcultures express resistance to dominant culture through style and rituals—CCCS view.
How do Sandberg (2012) and Holt et al. (2017) modernise subcultural theory?
Sandberg: Subculture of cannabis users shows identity through symbols/rituals.
Holt et al.: Terrorist ideologies as deviant subcultures reacting against mainstream norms.
