Evaluation of Miller. MILLER'S FOCAL CONCERNS DEFINITION OF TERMS GANGS: (MOXSON & KLEIN) Lower Class Comm. The factors that contribute to perceptions of each focal concern are not explicitly laid out in Steffensmeier and colleagues’ formulation of the theory. The Focal Concerns Theory emphasizes the roles of social networks by explaining how other people of the lower-class influence people from the lower-class. ... Miller: Focal Concerns of Lower Class Culture: Research on Classic Anomie/Strain Theories: The concerns are belonging to a group and achieving status among peers. A peer group that demands close conformity to group norms 2. These values are just as likely to be found in a m/c rugby team. In criminology, the focal concerns theory, posited in 1962 by Walter B. Miller, attempts to explain the behavior of "members of adolescent street corner groups in lower class communities" as concern for six focal concerns: trouble, toughness, smartness, excitement, fate, autonomy. 1. Focal Concerns. Miller argues that the WC already have their own values, he calls this focal concerns, and so they are not rejecting the dominant values but over conforming to their own. These focal concerns are: Trouble -> life involves violence Toughness -> men fight and drink etc. What are the six focal concerns? Journal of Social Issues, 14, 5–19. Miller notes that two factors tend to emphasise and exaggerate the focal concerns of the lower class subculture. Miller focal concerns 6. Walter Miller – the focal concerns of the working class 4. What is this status based upon? These were "smart-sucker," "lucky-unlucky," and "exciting life-boring life. A peer group that demands close conformity to group norms 2. Professor Miller explains that deviance may be normative in lower-class cultures. Walter B. Miller formulated six focal concerns in a theory attempting to explain the behavior of street corner group adolescent members in lower class communities. Start studying the Functionalism on Crime and Deviance flashcards containing study terms like Durkhiem's causes of crime, Durkhiems functions of crime, Evaluation of Durkhiem's view on crime and more. These focal concerns mean that it is inevitable that crime will be committed as in order to achieve these goals/values, they have to turn to a life of crime. Focal concerns. Smartness. 2. Miller argues that these minors have other ambitions or focal concerns which they want to achieve rather than the general ones which society considers right. Walter B. Miller formulated six focal concerns in a theory attempting to explain the behavior of street corner group adolescent members in lower class communities. These focal concerns include trouble, toughness, smartness, excitement, fate, and autonomy. Trouble, the first focal concern can be taken to imply... Walter Miller's subcultural explanation of why young working-class males commit crime centres on the idea that they are socialised into a particular set of norms and values that he calls focal concerns. For example values of resentment for authority, lack of respect for others and their property ect. 1. Pages 2. Walter Miller's Theory Focal Concerns Theory a theory that explains the criminal activities of lower-class adolescent gangs as an attempt to achieve the ends that are most valued in their culture through behaviors that appear best suited to obtain those ends Therefore they create their own goals, and Miller named theses focal concerns. In the evaluation of criminal justice outcomes, it should be recognized that when it comes to the processing of cases, generally speaking, individuals make the decisions. The focal concerns that Miller outlines all have to do with the individual and how the eyes of other lower-class members perceive them, not how they are perceived by other class members. Miller's conceptualization of "focal concerns" was an atte mpt to psychologically identify those psychological variables which could rationalize the delinquent behavior of lower class gang members. Albert Cohen argues that working class subcultures emerge because they are denied status in society. Miller (1962) came up with the idea of focal concerns. This is where the lower classes create their own subculture with its own goals, norms and values, rather than working towards mainstream goals. Miller argues that the statistics reflect the working-class subcultures that often see crime as a reward or approved activity. The lower classes tend to create their own different value system. They never actually approved the mainstream goals that Cohen talks about. Therefore they create their own goals, and Miller named theses focal concerns. Also, the fact the focal concerns (toughness, trouble, excitement) are primarily male oriented, Miller’s theory does not take into account why females commit crimes. Saw the lower working class as a subculture with its own set of unique values. Evaluation of Differential Association Theory 92 Drift Theory and Delinquency 95 They want their independence. Unlike other research methods participant observation allows the sociologist to look at people in their natural environment. For example values of resentment for authority, lack of respect for others and their property ect. Miller’s Lower-Class Culture and Delinquent Values 82 Exhibit 4–2 Miller’s Focal Concerns 83 Contents A01_BART8882_10_SE_FM.indd 8 02/12/17 3:45 AM. "6 Katz (page 375: Collins) says that criminolgy fails to In criminology, the focal concerns theory, posited in 1962 by Walter B. Miller, attempts to explain the behavior of "members of adolescent street corner groups in lower class communities" as concern for six focal concerns: trouble, toughness, smartness, excitement, fate, autonomy. Evaluation of Miller Miller was criticised from the beginning. Bordua said that the idea that the working class live their lives isolated from the rest of society is flawedto begin with. Six Focal Concerns. Positive : Negative : o Evaluation-Miller’s theory They think he assumes that the lower class lifestyle is generally focused on illegal activity. Walter Miller: Focal Concerns Saw the lower working class as a subculture with its own set of unique values Working class culture emphasised six focal concerns (or core values) which encouraged criminal behaviour amongst working class youth. The customary activities of the juvenile street corner group include law … According to Miller these values, or FOCAL CONCERNS, develop because of the experience of low-skilled & low paid labour which involved boring, repetitive work. They include autonomy, toughness, excitement and fatalism. Lesson Objectives • Recap Cohen’s Status Frustration and Alternative Status Hierarchy explanations of crime • Introduce Cloward and Ohlin’s theory of crime committed by young people • … "I don't go looking for trouble but...." Excitement. These concerns define status for the lower class. This theory basically says that, the working class have different values ( focal concerns ) , being tough, a resentment for authority ect, and so when they try and gain status with their fellow WC they over conform to the focal concerns of the working class and become delinquent. Skip to content. Subcultural Strain Theories 2. Focal concerns. Get free shipping on Criminological Theories Introduction, Evaluation, and Application Edition:6th ISBN13:9780199844487 from TextbookRush at a great price and get free shipping on orders over $35! Working class culture emphasised six focal concerns (or core values) which encouraged criminal behaviour amongst working class youth. Youngsters in terms of the peer status and norms achieve status. Walter Miller: Focal Concerns . Miller argues that these minors have other ambitions or focal concerns which they want to achieve rather than the general ones which society considers right. In his work on street gangs, he identified six "focal concerns" of lower-class culture than often lead to the violation of middle-class social and legal norms. An independent set of norms and values to mainstream society through which they gain status. This paper used a mixed-method approach to examine focal concerns in a mental health court. Miller’s theory identified six values of a lower-class subculture which include; Toughness, Smartness, Excitement, fate, trouble, and autonomy (Flowers, 1990). Working class culture emphasised six focal concerns (or core values) which encouraged criminal behaviour amongst working class youth. "I don't go looking for trouble but...." Excitement. Katz (page 375: Collins) says that criminolgy fails to These focal concerns mean that it is inevitable that crime will be committed as in order to achieve these goals/values, they have to turn to a life of crime. In criminology, the focal concerns theory, posited in 1962 by Walter B. Miller, attempts to explain the behavior of "members of adolescent street corner groups in lower class communities" as concern for six focal concerns: trouble, toughness, smartness, excitement, fate, autonomy. List these … What has w/c developed? Recognition of the group The groups recognition of itself as a distinct group of adolescents or young adults. Miller described these focal concerns as "areas or issues which command widespread and persistent … Memorize flashcards and build a practice test to quiz yourself before your exam. The groups involvement in illegal activities to get a consistent response Lower class focal concerns Focal concern measures are not employed consistently across studies; some measures are included in some studies and not others, The primary motivation of gang delinquency is the attempt to act out these lower class focal concerns. Miller argues that the WC already have their own values, he calls this focal concerns, and so they are not rejecting the dominant values but over conforming to their own. In Criminological Theories the noted criminologist Ronald Akers provides thorough description, discussion, and appraisal of the leading theories of crime/delinquent behavior and law/criminal justice - the origin and history of each theory and its contemporary developments and adherents. Three examples of these focal concerns where toughness (physical prowess), excitement (risk-taking) and smartness (being street-smart) Charles Murray: Underclass Theory the focal concerns framework and the theory of planned behavior. Miller argues that these minors have other ambitions or focal concerns which they want to achieve rather than the general ones which society considers right. Miller argues that the statistics reflect the working-class subcultures that often see crime as a reward or approved activity. Walter Miller. The focal concerns of the lower class juvenile street corner group reflect some of these class values. Despite the growth of problem-solving courts, little research has examined how this perspective operates in non-traditional court settings. Youngsters in terms of the peer status and norms achieve status. A person should both look good and also be witty with a 'sharp repartee' It is important to search out thrills. Trouble. Walter Miller's subcultural explanation of why young working-class males commit crime centres on the idea that they are socialised into a particular set of norms and values that he calls focal concerns. Walter Miller. Evaluation: marxists comparison 7. Walter B. Miller formulated six focal concerns in a theory attempting to explain the behavior of street corner group adolescent members in lower class communities. The outcomes that characterize the system as a whole, whether they Smartness. Evaluation of the idea/concept/research A. Cohen –Status Frustration (Sub-cultural) Cloward and Ohlin –Opportunity Subcultures (Sub-cultural) Miller –Focal Concerns (Sub-cultural) Davis/ Polsky –Release of Tension Lower class focal concerns Evaluation of Miller (+) Provides an alternative argument against the other subcultural theorists who say that criminals are just rebelling or acting in a response to status frustration -> it provides a less reductionist view … Miller described these focal concerns as "areas or issues which command widespread and persistent … Trouble, the first focal concern can be taken to imply the adolescents’ involvement in activities such as drinking, … Words 392. Evaluation of the idea/concept/research A. Cohen –Status Frustration (Sub-cultural) Cloward and Ohlin –Opportunity Subcultures (Sub-cultural) Miller –Focal Concerns (Sub-cultural) Davis/ Polsky –Release of Tension Trouble. We review their content and use your feedback to keep the quality high. Miller's Focal Concerns. Another sociologist, Walter Miller (1958), said poor boys become delinquent because they live amid a lower-class subculture that includes several focal concerns, or values, that help lead to delinquency. These are not essentially criminal but increase the risk or likelihood of criminal behaviour. Excitement ->always looking out for fun Table of Contents for Criminological theories : introduction, evaluation, and application / Ronald L. Akers, Christine S. Sellers, available from the Library of Congress. 1. These are not essentially criminal but increase the risk or likelihood of criminal behaviour. Miller notes that two factors tend to emphasise and exaggerate the focal concerns of the lower class subculture. said poor boys become delinquent because they live amid a lower-class subculture that includes several focal concerns Walter Miller’s term for the key values of lower-class subcultures., or values, that help lead to delinquency. Evaluation: marxists comparison 7. Subcultural norms and values of w/c are not a reaction to blocked opportunities. o Tests of miller’s theory Cernovich concluded that it is values, rather than class, that are associated with delinquency. The study is best known as the basis for Miller's elaboration of the focal concerns of lower class culture. Summary. Experts are tested by Chegg as specialists in their subject area. These focal concerns include trouble, toughness, smartness, excitement, fate, and autonomy. A person should both look good and also be witty with a 'sharp repartee' It is important to search out thrills. Subcultural strain theories l2. These focal concerns include a taste for trouble, toughness, cleverness, and … In its empirical grounding, Miller’s approach is circular. The focal concerns framework, however, is difficult to test. The lower classes tend to create their own different value system. Miller's essay on focal concerns contains three sections that describe focal concerns, gangs, and behavior. Charles Murray – the underclass and Crime (links to the New Right) Albert Cohen: Deviant Subcultures emerge because of Status Frustration. Although Miller’s theory is subcultural, it bears little resemblance to Cohen’s theory, which partly blames society for gang activity. In criminology, the focal concerns theory, posited in 1962 by Walter B. Miller, attempts to explain the behavior of members of adolescent street corner groups in lower class communities as concern for six focal concerns: trouble, toughness, smartness, excitement, fate, autonomy. Similarly, Walter Miller (1958) advocated that the lower-class culture originated as a result of gang delinquency or focal concern. Miller focal concerns 6. 6 focal concerns identified by Miller that focuses on lower-class boys. Focal concerns has become the dominant perspective in explaining these disparities in legal processing decisions. These focal concerns include trouble, toughness, smartness, excitement, fate, and autonomy. Overall Evaluations of Subcultural Theories of Crime . Miller focal concerns AO1 - Miller argued that the working-class never accepted the mainstream goals and aren't reacting as a rebellion, but they're acting in a way that is acceptable within their subculture. They never actually approved the mainstream goals that Cohen talks about. Miller’s theory identified six values of a lower-class subculture which include; Toughness, Smartness, Excitement, fate, trouble, and autonomy (Flowers, 1990). He inferred the lower class focal concerns from observations of lower class behaviour, and then proceeded to explain that same behaviour by using the focal concerns. Focal Concerns. The importance of adhering to the learned focal concerns, or the resulting consequences of stigmatization if they are not followed, are proof of this. Evaluation Potency clean-dirty hard-soft good-bad large-small kind-cruel strong-weak fair-unfair brave-cowardly pleasant-unpleasant rugged-delicate Three additional scales, derived from Miller's "focal concerns" of lower-class culture, were also included. W/C male subcultures provide ways of coping w/ this life- unique focal concerns. In contrast to Cohen and Cloward and Ohlin, what does Miller suggest? Miller: Focal concerns of working class life. Miller’s theory identified six values of a lower-class subculture which include; Toughness, Smartness, Excitement, fate, trouble, and autonomy (Flowers, 1990). Participant Observation is a method of data collection that takes advantage of the human ability to empathise. For example values of resentment for authority, lack of respect for others and their property.! This perspective operates in non-traditional court settings said that the idea of focal concerns has become the perspective! 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