Topic 2 - Strain and Sub-cultural Theories - Status Frustration

A. Cohen: Status Frustration

Deviance results from lower classes inability to achieve mainstream goals.

Cohen (1955) - Criticises Merton's strain theory:

• Ignores group deviance - deliquent subcultures.
• Ignores non-utilitarian crimes (assult, vandalism) as they have no economic motive.

Cohen (1955) - Working class boys face…