Describe Cohen's cultural deviance of the gang

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

One of the most popular versions of cultural deviance theory was Albert Cohen's work, Delinquent Boys: The Culture of the Gang (1955). Although somewhat dated (he conducted his research in the 1950s), his perspective is still relevant today. Cohen's view incorporates the following assumptions: 1) a high proportion of lower-class youths (especially males) do poorly in school; 2) poor school performance relates to delinquency, 3) poor school performance stems from a conflict between dominant middle-class values of the school system and values of lower-class youths; and 4) most lower-class male delinquency is committed in a gang context, partly as a means of meeting some basic human needs, such as self-esteem and belonging.
There are two key concepts in Cohen's theory: 1) reaction formation, meaning that one openly rejects what he wants, or aspires to, but cannot achieve or obtain, and 2) middle-class measuring rod or evaluations of school performance and behavior within the school based on norms and values thought to be associated with the middle class, such as punctuality, neatness, cleanliness, nonviolent behavior, drive and ambition, achievement and success (especially at school), deferred gratification, and so on. Cohen argues that delinquents often develop a culture that is at odds with the norms and values of the middle class, which they turn upside down and rebel against.
This subculture remains real today, although with some variations, and it is important for those who deal with delinquents to understand it (Copes and Williams, 2007). One famous application of this theory to the treatment of delinquents was a program established in Provo, Utah (called Pine Hills) in the late 1950s. A form of group therapy was used whereby the offenders themselves actively participated in their own changes. The program proved to be somewhat successful (Empey and Rabow, 1961).