(4) Theory & Deviant subcultures

• Cohen argued that Lower - working - class boys have the same values as mainstream society but have little chance of achieving their goals because of “status frustration.”
• Cohen stated that delinquent subcultures formed because status frustration makes working class boys reject the norms and values of mainstream society and turn to the norms and values of delinquent subcultures, where they achieve status through crime
• What three different subcultures do Cloward and Ohlin say young people enter?

  Criminal, conflict, and retreatist subcultures.
• Criminal subcultures are groups which take part in organised crime for financial benefits
• In what subculture can people climb up the professional criminal ladder?

  criminal subcultures
• Cloward and Ohlin argue that lower middle class youths join criminal subcultures because they want to make money quickly and easily
• Conflict subcultures are groups who use violence against other groups or individuals
• Gangs are what type of subcultures according to Cloward and Ohlin?

  Conflict Subcultures
• A Mafia is what type of subculture according to Cloward and Ohlin?

  A Criminal Subculture
• Retreatist subcultures have failed in criminal subcultures and mainstream society so are known as what?

  double failures
• Why do retreatist subcultures turn to alcohol and drugs?

  to deal with the rejection from society and other subcultures
• Nightingale found that young black boys in America had the same norms and values as the rest of society
• Black boys in America were not able to attain their goals because of what according to Nightingale?

  Racism and Poverty
• Which Sociologists are functionalist viewpoints?

  • Cohen (status frustration)
  • Cloward and Ohlin (three different subcultures)
  • Nightingale (racism and poverty)
• Because young black people cant achieve their goals through legitimate means they form what according to Nightingale?


  "subcultures of resistance" so they can gain pride and status else where (gangs)
• Which Sociologist criticise functionalist view points?

  • Matza (over predict delinquency)
  • McRobbie (malestream)
  • Eisendstadt (deviancy is functional -rebel phase goes away)
• Matza criticised functionalist views saying that they what?


  over predict delinquency
• Why does Matza think that Functionalist over predict delinquency?

  as most working class people experience status frustration but they don't all join anti school or criminal subcultures and if they do its only temporarily
• Who said that Functionalist viewpoints were too “male stream” ?

  McRobbie
• What does the phrase , "male stream", mean? (McRobbie)


  only focusing on male experience's and failing to explain how girls participate in subcultures
• Why did Eisendstadt suggest that deviance was actually functional for society?


  it does not result in long term criminal subcultures forming because children are only rebelling so they are prepared for the adult world later
• Who are the 3 new right sociologists that suggest different reasons for why deviant subcultures form?

  • Sewell (Triple quandary theory)
  • Murray (Culture of the underclass)
  • Dennis (Lone-parent families)
• What are the 3 reasons (the Triple Quandary Theory) for why Sewell suggests Afro-Caribbean boys are at higher risks of becoming criminals?

  1. Rejection from white society
  2. Conspicuous consumption
  3. Lack of male role models
• One of the reasons within Sewell's Triple quandary theory is "rejection from white society". How does this reason lead to black boys becoming criminals?


  They feel rejected by white culture because of the belief that teachers, police officers and employers are racist and work against them
• One of the reasons within Sewell's Triple quandary theory is "Conspicuous Consumption". How does this reason lead to black boys becoming criminals?

  The Media culture influences the black youth to prioritize status through consumer culture over education. This leads to the adoption of street culture, often influenced by deviant role models who glorify sexual conquests and gun crime
• One of the reasons within Sewell's Triple quandary theory is "Lack of Male role model". How does this reason lead to black boys becoming criminals?

  Black boys often come from families without "alpha males" often leading to boundaries not being set and bad behaviour going without disciplinary action. Leading to black teen having a period of crisis due to a lack of social control.
• Which sociologist suggests black boys join deviant subcultures because of the "Triple quandary Theory"?

  Sewell
• Which sociologist suggested that the culture of the underclass was the main cause of deviant subcultures?

  Murray
• How does the culture of the underclass cause deviant subcultures according to Murray?

  Due to parents being dependent on welfare benefits and failing to socialize their children. Children are not taught the value of hard work, become fatalistic and expect immediate gratification
• What is the underclass that Murray says causes deviant subcultures?

  Parents who are dependent on welfare benefits and fail at socializing their children
• Which Sociologist stated that lone-parents were the cause of deviant youth subcultures?

  Dennis
• Dennis states that deviant youth subcultures are formed due to lone parent families. But how do lone parent families cause the subcultures to form?

  Lone parent families bring up children with out male role models meaning the children are poorly socialized. Leading to their children joining anti-school subcultures because their norms & values do not align with the schools
• Dennis believes lone parent families help create deviant youth subcultures because of?

  • Inadequate socialisation
  • Teaching different norms and values
• What are the 3 functionalist beliefs for why deviant subcultures form?

  1. "Triple Quandary Theory" - Sewell
  2. Culture of the Underclass - Murray
  3. Lone parent families - Dennis
• Who are the 3 functionalists who give reasons for why deviant subcultures form?

  1. Nightingale
  2. Cohen
  3. Cloward & Ohlin
• Name 4 studies that evaluate functionalist theories on the formation of deviant subcultures:

  1. Mac An Ghail (disadvantaged children work harder)
  2. Abram (youth culture is homogenous)
  3. Cloward & Ohlin (use different means to achieve goals)
  4. the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (do not have different norms and values)
• Why does Mac An Ghail disagree with functionalist theories?

  Believes that black children from disadvantaged backgrounds (black and wc) actually work harder at school and conform to mainstream ideas of achieving success
• Name the 2 subcultures that children from disadvantaged backgrounds form which support Mac An Ghail's critique of functionalism:

  1. The Academic Achievers
  2. The New Enterprisers
• Which sociologist criticises functionalist views on deviant subcultures because they believe black children from disadvantaged backgrounds work harder and have the same ideas about achieving success?

  Mac An Ghail
• How does Abram critique functionalist theories?

  Claims people all go through the same life experiences and youth culture is homogenous (meaning there are no differences between ethnic or social groups)