Subcultural Theory - status Frustration Flashcards
1
Q
Who came up with status frustration?
A
Cohen
2
Q
What was Cohen interested in?
A
- a lot of crime wasn’t economically motivated
- majority of crime didn’t fit mertons theory
- much delinquent behaviour was group activity
3
Q
What did Cohen argue about the young working classes?
A
- felt frustrated
- felt this way as they were culturally and materially deprived
- lacked opportunities to achieve m/c goals
- ‘status frustration’
4
Q
How do working class show status frustration?
A
- reject mainstream middle class values
- turn to others in same situation
- forms alternative set of values
- ‘delinquent subcultures’ form
5
Q
Why do youths join delinquent subcultures?
A
- offers an alternative status hierarchy
- win status and respect through delinquent actions
- gain symbolic capital
6
Q
How can status frustration link to the London riots?
A
Jones:
- explores aftermath a year on
- high levels of unemployment led to riots due to high levels of frustration mainly in youths
- lower class and ethnic minorities felt marginalised and discriminated against
- led to p’s joining gains and committing crime
7
Q
How is Cohen similar to Merton theory?
A
- deviance is mostly w/c
- assume w/c boys start off sharing m/c goals only to reject these when they fail
8
Q
How is Cohen different from mertons theory?
A
Merton:
- offers and explanation of utilitarian crimes
- sees deviance as an individual response
Cohen:
- considers the role of group deviance
- offers and explanations of non utilitarian crimes
9
Q
What are the strengths of Cohen’s theory?
A
- provides and understanding into reasons for group deviance
- provides an explanation of non utilitarian crimes
10
Q
What are the weaknesses of Cohen’s theory?
A
- ignores crime of wealthy
- doesn’t explain why some groups focus on violence while others focus on drug taking
