Subcultural Theory (Explaining C/D) Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Subcultural Theory (Explaining C/D) Deck (28)
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1
Q

What is the basis of subcultural theory?

A

Merton’s idea that deviance is a collective, not individual, response to strain - added interpretivist ideas

2
Q

What do subcultures provide?

A

Distinct norms and values and an alternate opportunity structure

3
Q

What is Cohen’s subcultural theory?

A

Develops Merton’s view: delinquency is a collective response. Subcultures are REACTIVE, developing due to strain (crimes with no gain prove this).

4
Q

What does Cohen say causes subcultures?

A

The strain of the lower working class causes status frustration, espeically due to low educational achievement. Subcultures are formed allowing an alternative opportunity structure

5
Q

What is an evaluation of Cohen’s theory?

A
Box - the working class do not invert norms and values of middle class - they never actually share them.
Accepts OCS, ignores mc and uc crime
6
Q

What is Cloward and Ohlin’s subcultural theory?

A
They identify illegitimate opportunity structures, focuses on young working class males. Strain causes pressure to deviate. 
Identifies three subculture types - criminal, conflict, retratist
7
Q

What is Cloward and Ohlin’s three subculture types?

A

Criminal
Conflict
Retreatist

8
Q

What are evaluations of Cloward and Ohlin’s subc theory?

A

Assumes everyone starts with shared values and goals (Taylor, Walton and Young dispute this)
Ignores women and mc/uc crime
There is overlap between the three types of subculture

9
Q

What is Miller’s independent subcultural theory?

A

A distinct w/c subculture exists, with different norms and values. Deviance is not due to strain but due to different culture (6 focal concerns)

10
Q

What are Miller’s 6 Focal Concerns

A
Fate
Excitement
Autonomy
Smartness
Toughness
Trouble
11
Q

What did Miller say causes delinquency?

A

Young males acting out their 6 focal concerns

12
Q

What is an evaluation of Miller?

A

He does not explain the origins of focal concerns or values, ignores women’s, mc/uc crime
Marxists are critical - RSA

13
Q

What was Matza’s theory (CRITIQUES SUBCULTURAL)?

A

Delinquency is caused by drift - deviants are not committed to crime (they are transient law breakers)
We all share subterranean (deviant) values
People who commit crime are the same as everyone else, showing remorse and outrage at the crimes committed by others

14
Q

What does Matza say are used to justify crimes?

A

Techniques of neutralisation to explain or excuse their deviance

15
Q

What is an evaluation of Matza’s theory

A

Box - remorse may not be sincere, instead techniques of neutralisation are used only to avoid punishment

16
Q

What did the UK Home Office find?

A

Up to 6% of 10-19yr olds are in a gang

17
Q

What did the Met Police say in 2007

A

There were 171 gangs in London, showing the variation by locality

18
Q

What is a problem with OCS and subculture?

A

It does not record if crime is gang related (Home Office does not have an agreed universal definition of a gang)
Gang crime is underreported

19
Q

What did Marshall find?

A

3 types of deviant subculture: peer groups, gangs, organised criminal groups

20
Q

What did Why Kids Kill find?

A

Deprivation and boredom, along with fear of violence, lead to joining a gang

21
Q

What did the Joseph Rowntree Foundation find?

A

‘Territoriality’, gang life provided the positives of identity and solidarity, but increased risk of victimisation
Most gang members were boys from deprived areas ages 13 to 17

22
Q

What did Harding (2014) find?

A

‘Brand’ (street capital) has to be actively worked at; eg through crime and violence.
Poverty and deprivation leads to gangs
Girls have power too using ‘people skills’ etc

23
Q

What did the Social Justice Think Tank 2014 find?

A

Females in gangs lead ‘desperate lives’ due to rape etc, their education suffers

24
Q

What did Korem (1994) find?

A

More middle class males are joining gangs due to family problems not deprivation

25
Q

What are the two Marxist subcultural approaches?

A

Phil Cohen - skinheads and symbolic resistance

Hebdige - punks and incorporation

26
Q

What was Phil Cohen (Marxist)’s study?

A

Studied 1970s skinheads, finding their style was a symbolic reaction to the decline of working class communities

27
Q

What was Hebdige (Marxist)’s study?

A

Punks in late 1970s - puks set out to deliberately shock the establishment and society to symbolically resist the dominant cultural values of UK society at the time. However punks and other youth subcultures are short lived due to incorporation: capitalism quickly commercialises aspects of youth cultural style, stripping them of their ideological symbolism

28
Q

What did Downes find?

A

In his study of young working class males in London, no evidence of distinctive values (EV of subcultural theory)