Albert Cohen- Status Frustration.

Sociology – status frustration

·         Albert Cohen believes that deviance is a lower class phenomenon. It results in the inability of those in the lower classes to achieve mainstream success goals by legitimise means e.g. educational achievement.

Cohen criticises Merton:

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

2.      2.  Merton focus on utilitarian crime committed for material gain e.g. theft or fraud. Ignores crime such as assault or vandalism which may have no economic motive.

    Cohen focuses on deviance among working class boys. They suffer from cultural deprivation and lack the skills to achieve. Their inability to succeed in the middle class world leaves them at the…