Functionalist Subcultural Theories - Cohen: Subcultural Theory and Status Frustration

Question 1

What does Cohen argue about WC males?

Answer 1

Argue WC males are denied legitimate route to success and are labelled as ‘failures’

Question 2

What does Cohen argue this labelling of the WC causes?

Answer 2

Argues this creates a feeling of status frustration

Frustration about their lack of status or respect from others

Question 3

What does Cohen say may result from the WC status frustration?

Answer 3

Some may turn to a deviant subculture with its own norms and values which value deviant behaviour

Therefore gain respect in the deviant subculture resolving their status frustration

Question 4

What may Cohen’s theory explain?

Answer 4

May explain non-utilitarian crimes such as vandalism or violence

Question 5

What are the criticisms of Cohen’s subcultural theory?

Answer 5

Unlike Merton, Cohen can explain group crimes and non-utilitarian crimes

Doesn’t explain why different subcultures commit different types of crime

Assumes WC boys start with MC values and only turn to crime when they fail (they may never have had these values in the first place)