Strain Theory Recap

​ Match up the following descriptions of deviant subcultures according to Cloward and Ohlin.

• Retreatist Subculture

• High population turnover prevents organised criminal networks from establishing. This causes further frustration resulting in high levels of violence and non-utilitarian crime.

• Criminal Subculture

• The double-failures who have been unable to relieve their status frustration via illegitimate means or through the use of violence/non-utilitarian crimes.

• Conflict subculture

• Requires an established criminal network in the environment to allow the alternative norms and values to be learnt via a criminal apprenticeship.

Merton or Albert Cohen?

Groups:

(a) Merton's Strain Theory

,

(b) Cohen's Subcultural Theory

,

(c) Both

• Innovation

• Status Frustration

• Legitimate means (norms) to achieve

• Retreatist

• Ritualism

• Conformity

• Collective Response

• Anomie

• Rebellion

• Individual response to strain

• Alternative Status Hierarchy

• Shared values/goals

Reorder the following to outline the process of deviant subculture formation according to Cohen.

• The WC boys collectively reject MC norms and values and replace them with their own subcultural values.

• The new subcultural values offer the WC boys the opportunity for success, removing their status frustration.

• WC boys fail to achieve the values taught and feel frustrated.

• WC boys taught MC norms and values.

• The WC boys recognise that they are not alone in feeling frustrated.

​ (a)   criticises strain theories because they wrongly assume that everyone in society starts by accepting mainstream norms and values. He believes that the ​ (b)   class never start with mainstream norms and values, instead they hold their own values called ​ (c)   Therefore the deviance associated with the working class cannot be caused by strain.

• focal concerns.
• Miller
• working
• cultural conformity
• elite values
• social integration

​ (a)   also criticises strain theories. He found evidence that WC deviants show guilt and remorse when caught offending. He called this ​ (b)   , restoring the harm caused by their actions. ​ (c)   argues that if the WC deviant had ​ (d)   and replaced the MC norms and values that caused the initial strain, they would not feel guilt or remorse.

• Matza
• techniques of neutralisation
• rejected
• Miller
• focal concerns
• accepted