Subcultural strain theories

What did Cohen argue about Merton’s explanation of deviance?

1. Merton sees deviance as an individual response to strain but ignores the fact that deviance is committed in or by groups, especially the young

2. Merton focuses on utilitarian crimes committed (crimes committed for material gain such as theft or fraud) but ignores crimes such as assault or vandalism which as no economic motive.

What do subcultural strain theories argue about crime?

Crime occurs when working-class youths are blocked from legitimate opportunities and form delinquent subcultures with alternative values and opportunities.

How do subcultural strain theories build on Merton?

They agree blocked opportunities cause deviance, but argue deviance is often group-based (subcultures) rather than individual.

What is status frustration and who argues it and how can it be solved?

Cohen argued this is working-class boys fail in the middle-class school system, leading to frustration about their low status.

Working class boys solve it as they form delinquent subcultures that reject mainstream values.

What are the three deviant subcultures

• Criminal subculture – organised crime careers

• Conflict subculture – gangs and violence

• Retreatist subculture – Formed by double failures who fail in both legitimate and criminal success → turn to drug use. Drug use (“double failures”)