Albert Cohen

What are subcultural theories?

• They usually fall into the broader category of functionalist theories- particularly those that are influenced by Strain Theory

• Albert Cohen was influenced by Merton’s ideas of inequality in society and agreed that a reaction to blocked opportunities causes crime

• However, Cohen suggested that it was not individuals, but subcultural groups that were responsible for most crime

What is Status Frustration?

• In Cohen’s research, he examined young males from low-income backgrounds in the 1950s

• As a response to educational failure and inability to achieve status through legitimate means, these males suffered from status frustration

• As a response, they turned to subcultural groups to obtain status from their peers

What is the Alternative Status Hierarchy?

• A status was unobtainable through legitimate means, these subcultural groups formed their own norms and values that subverted those of society

• Status was awarded based upon an alternative status hierarchy- one which awarded higher status to its members for deviant activities than it did for conforming

What are the different types of crime?

• Cohen’s work focused on non-utilitarian crimes- Those that had little or no financial motive

• Criminal damage, graffiti, joy-riding, violence and anti-social behaviour

• Reaction to blocked opportunities- Cohen argued that behaviours were a result of seeking revenge against society

What examples are there of Social Norms and Values?

• Employment

• Hard work

• Rewards based on merit

• Obedience to authority

What examples are there of Subcultural Norms and Values?

• Delinquency

• Deviant behaviour

• Status awarded for deviance

• Challenging authority

What are contemporary applications of status frustration?

• The concept of status frustration can be used to explain the high percentage of excluded pupils who go on to commit crime

• Crime rates are higher amongst young males who are most likely to be low achievers in education

• Crime prevention policies that address the status of young males, e.g., boxing clubs, outward-bound courses

What are the evaluations of Cohen?

• He assumes that people want to conform to society’s norms and values and that being unable to do so leads to a reaction- some retreat and some become ritualistic according to Merton

• Is crime the result of subcultures? Matza suggests that most young people drift in and out of deviant behaviours as unable to control subterranean values

• Cohen explains petty crime but fails to explore the opportunities for further criminality based on location