Subcultural theories of crime

What are subcultural theories?

The view that the origins of crime are due to some groups in society having significantly different norms and values from others.

Where did subcultural theories emerge?

From a georgraphical study of Chicago in the 1930s which showed areas of cities having higher crime rates than others.

Who are functionalist subculturalists?

Cohen, Sutherland and Cressey, Cloward and Ohlin, Miller

What is functionalist Cohens theory of status frustration?

Working class boys perform poorly in schools and reject middle class values which leads them to form delinquent subcultures where different values are celebrated e.g strength or street smarts.

What is functionalist Sutherland and Cressey’s differential association theory?

People learn attitudes of criminal behaviour through their interactions with others.

What is functionalists Cloward and Ohlin illegitimate opportunity theory?

Working class do not share mainstream norms and values so share their own deviant set of values. Criminal, conflict and Retreatist

What is functionalist Miller focal concerns theory?

Criminal behaviour of working class youths is based on 6 focal concerns: autonomy, toughness, smartness, excitement, fate, trouble

Who are the Marxist subculuralists?

BCCCS and Brake

How does BCCCS explain Marxist subculturalism?

Study discovered that youth subcultures displayed deviance as a result of rejecting capitalism

What does Marxist Brake (1980) say?

Youth cultures showed disgust for capitalism so develop alternative lifestyles

Who are the new right subculturalists?

Saunders and Murray (1989)

What do new right Saunders and Murray (1989) say?

The underclass is suggested as a subculture. Solutions to crime are to make benefits harder to gain and lower in value and to punish criminals severely.

Who are the interactionist subculturalists?

Matza and Cicourel

What does interactionist Matza say? Drift theory

Young people drift in and out of criminal action but they share the same norms and values as society but hold 2 sets of values: conventional values and subterranean values.

What does interactionist Cicourel say? Labelling theory

Police are more likely to arrest those who fit the stereotype of a delinquent; working class, ethnic minority, aggressive which may suggest why theories state there is a delinquent subculture