How does Cloward and Ohlin categorize subcultures related to crime?

Prepare for the AQA Sociology Crime and Deviance Test. Study with engaging questions, complete with hints and explanations to ensure your success in the examination. Ace your sociology exam!

Cloward and Ohlin's theory categorizes subcultures related to crime into three distinct types: criminal, conflict, and retreatist subcultures. This classification arises from their examination of how individuals in different social environments respond to the lack of legitimate opportunities for success.

Criminal subcultures provide avenues for pursuing economic gain through illegal means, often established in areas where there is a stable, organized crime presence. Conflict subcultures typically emerge in disadvantaged neighborhoods characterized by violence and a lack of community resources, leading to aggression as a way to gain status and respect. Lastly, retreatist subcultures consist of individuals who have failed to achieve success in both legitimate and illegitimate means, often turning to drug use and withdrawal from societal norms.

This analytical framework allows for a nuanced understanding of how different social contexts influence the forms of deviance and subcultures that arise, thus reinforcing the bond between social structure and behavior in the realm of crime. The other options do not accurately align with Cloward and Ohlin's subcultural theory, as they either oversimplify the categorization or divert attention from the established types relevant to criminal behavior.

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