Crime and deviance might seem like complex sociological topics, but... Show more
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4
0
N
Nya Ndoko
12/12/2025
Sociology
functionalist , strain and subcultural theories
166
•
Dec 12, 2025
•
Understanding Functionalist, Strain, and Subcultural Theories
N
Nya Ndoko
@nyandoko_teyr
1 / 4
Functionalist Views: Crime as Normal
You might think crime is always bad for society, but Durkheim had a surprising argument - crime is actually inevitable and even useful! He believed crime serves important functions that keep society healthy.
Boundary maintenance happens when society reacts to crime by punishing wrongdoers. This reinforces everyone's commitment to shared values and brings people together against the criminal. Think about how communities often unite after a serious crime occurs.
Crime also enables adaptation and change in society. Many ideas we accept today (like women's rights or religious freedom) were once considered deviant. Without some rule-breaking, society would never evolve or improve.
Key Point: The media plays a crucial role in creating 'folk devils' - exaggerated villains that help society define what's acceptable behaviour.
Merton's Strain Theory
Merton's strain theory explains why people turn to deviance when they can't achieve society's goals through legitimate means. It's like being told you need designer trainers to fit in, but having no legal way to afford them.
Merton identified two key factors: structural factors (society's unequal opportunities) and cultural factors (strong emphasis on success goals but weak emphasis on legitimate achievement). This creates 'strain' between what people are encouraged to want and what they can actually achieve.
The theory suggests working-class people have higher crime rates because they face the biggest gap between cultural goals and legitimate opportunities. However, critics argue this is too deterministic - not all working-class people become criminals.
Key Point: Strain theory relies heavily on official crime statistics, which may overrepresent working-class crime and miss middle-class deviance.
Cohen's Status Frustration Theory
A.K. Cohen agreed with Merton that deviance is mainly a lower-class issue, but he spotted some major flaws in the original theory. Cohen argued that Merton ignored group deviance and focused too much on crimes for material gain whilst missing non-economic crimes like vandalism.
Cohen's focus was on working-class boys in middle-class dominated schools. These lads experience anomie (normlessness) because they can't achieve status through education and mainstream success.
This leads to status frustration - they feel angry about their low social position. Instead of accepting failure, they reject mainstream values entirely and form delinquent subcultures with other boys in similar situations. These subcultures create alternative ways to gain respect and status.
Key Point: Status frustration explains why some crimes seem pointless economically - they're actually about gaining respect within alternative value systems.
Subcultural Strain Theories Overview
Subcultural strain theories see deviance as the product of delinquent subcultures with completely different values from mainstream society. These theories both criticise and build upon Merton's original ideas about strain and deviance.
The key insight is that deviance isn't just individual rebellion - it's often collective behaviour within specific groups. When legitimate paths to success are blocked, entire groups can develop alternative value systems that celebrate different behaviours.
These subcultural theories help explain why certain types of crime cluster in particular communities and why some deviant behaviour seems to follow group patterns rather than individual psychology. They show how social structure creates conditions where alternative cultures can flourish.
Key Point: Understanding subcultures helps explain why traditional crime prevention often fails - you're not just dealing with individual choices but entire alternative value systems.
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Stefan S
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
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I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
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Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding Functionalist, Strain, and Subcultural Theories
N
Nya Ndoko
@nyandoko_teyr
Crime and deviance might seem like complex sociological topics, but understanding why people break social rules is actually quite straightforward once you grasp the key theories. These functionalist and strain theories help explain how society's structure and values can actually... Show more
Functionalist Views: Crime as Normal
You might think crime is always bad for society, but Durkheim had a surprising argument - crime is actually inevitable and even useful! He believed crime serves important functions that keep society healthy.
Boundary maintenance happens when society reacts to crime by punishing wrongdoers. This reinforces everyone's commitment to shared values and brings people together against the criminal. Think about how communities often unite after a serious crime occurs.
Crime also enables adaptation and change in society. Many ideas we accept today (like women's rights or religious freedom) were once considered deviant. Without some rule-breaking, society would never evolve or improve.
Key Point: The media plays a crucial role in creating 'folk devils' - exaggerated villains that help society define what's acceptable behaviour.
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Merton's Strain Theory
Merton's strain theory explains why people turn to deviance when they can't achieve society's goals through legitimate means. It's like being told you need designer trainers to fit in, but having no legal way to afford them.
Merton identified two key factors: structural factors (society's unequal opportunities) and cultural factors (strong emphasis on success goals but weak emphasis on legitimate achievement). This creates 'strain' between what people are encouraged to want and what they can actually achieve.
The theory suggests working-class people have higher crime rates because they face the biggest gap between cultural goals and legitimate opportunities. However, critics argue this is too deterministic - not all working-class people become criminals.
Key Point: Strain theory relies heavily on official crime statistics, which may overrepresent working-class crime and miss middle-class deviance.
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Cohen's Status Frustration Theory
A.K. Cohen agreed with Merton that deviance is mainly a lower-class issue, but he spotted some major flaws in the original theory. Cohen argued that Merton ignored group deviance and focused too much on crimes for material gain whilst missing non-economic crimes like vandalism.
Cohen's focus was on working-class boys in middle-class dominated schools. These lads experience anomie (normlessness) because they can't achieve status through education and mainstream success.
This leads to status frustration - they feel angry about their low social position. Instead of accepting failure, they reject mainstream values entirely and form delinquent subcultures with other boys in similar situations. These subcultures create alternative ways to gain respect and status.
Key Point: Status frustration explains why some crimes seem pointless economically - they're actually about gaining respect within alternative value systems.
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Subcultural Strain Theories Overview
Subcultural strain theories see deviance as the product of delinquent subcultures with completely different values from mainstream society. These theories both criticise and build upon Merton's original ideas about strain and deviance.
The key insight is that deviance isn't just individual rebellion - it's often collective behaviour within specific groups. When legitimate paths to success are blocked, entire groups can develop alternative value systems that celebrate different behaviours.
These subcultural theories help explain why certain types of crime cluster in particular communities and why some deviant behaviour seems to follow group patterns rather than individual psychology. They show how social structure creates conditions where alternative cultures can flourish.
Key Point: Understanding subcultures helps explain why traditional crime prevention often fails - you're not just dealing with individual choices but entire alternative value systems.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content: Subculture
Most popular content in Sociology
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user