CriminologyLesson 1 of 2 in the course Strain and subcultural theories

Subcultural Explanations of Youth Delinquency and Resistance

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Subcultural theory examines how shared values, attitudes, and ways of life within particular groups can shape behavior, including delinquency and violence. Its development drew on Chicago School research into gangs and later symbolic interactionist perspectives. Many theorists focused on young people because understanding juvenile delinquency was seen as a way to interrupt a possible transition from teenage offending to habitual crime.

All flashcards

What is a subculture in subcultural theory?
A group with shared practices and meanings that differ in some respects from those of wider society. The theory examines how these meanings and social circumstances may influence behavior.
What features of gang formation did Thrasher emphasize?
Thrasher described gangs as groups that may begin spontaneously and become integrated through interaction and conflict. Shared activity can build traditions, solidarity, group awareness, and attachment to territory.
How did Albert K. Cohen explain working-class gang delinquency?
He argued that a distinctive delinquency subculture could develop among working-class youth in poor urban areas as a response to perceived limits on economic and social opportunity.
What does Matza mean by drift?
Drift is movement between conventional and unconventional behavior. It challenges the idea that young people are always wholly committed to a delinquent identity.
How did Phil Cohen interpret youth style?
He treated clothing, haircuts, music, and language as meaningful cultural expressions. Youth styles can help young people cope with their circumstances and symbolically resist dominant values.

Quiz questions

  1. What central issue do subcultural theories examine?Answer: How group practices and social circumstances can shape behavior.
  2. How did Thrasher describe the development of a gang?Answer: A group may form spontaneously and become integrated through interaction and conflict.
  3. How did Albert K. Cohen explain the emergence of a delinquency subculture among working-class youth?Answer: It could respond to perceived limits on economic and social opportunity.
  4. What did Cloward and Ohlin add to explanations of delinquent subcultures?Answer: They examined unequal access to conventional and subcultural opportunities.
  5. How did Phil Cohen interpret the contrasting styles of Mods and skinheads?Answer: As expressions of different responses to changes in working-class community and economy.

Based on the Wikipedia article Subcultural theory, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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