In 1960, Cloward and Ohlin first presented Differential Opportunity Theory, which examines how individuals from underprivileged backgrounds may turn to subcultures that promote deviant behavior when traditional paths to achievement are blocked.
This theory emphasizes how uneven access to legal options shapes people’s decisions and behaviors.
What is Differential Opportunity Theory?
Differential Opportunity Theory explores how people from underprivileged origins may turn to subcultures in order to succeed by dubious means. It was first introduced by sociologists Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin in 1960.
According to this hypothesis, not everyone has equal access to respectable paths to achievement, which causes certain people to embrace subcultural norms and values that encourage abnormal behavior.
Said another way, the theory contends that people may choose unusual routes, such as joining subcultures involved in illicit activity, if they don’t have the same opportunity to thrive in traditional methods.
Differential Opportunity Theory Subcultures and Examples
The Differential Opportunity Theory in criminology sheds light on the reasons why people from underprivileged origins could become involved in criminal activity.
According to this hypothesis, people may turn to illegal measures, such engaging in criminal activity, when they are unable to access possibilities for achievement that are legal. Let’s investigate the three subcultures that this hypothesis has identified:
Criminal Subculture
People who belong to this subculture can access criminal networks and consider committing crimes as a legitimate way to succeed. They might look up to and consider successful criminals as role models.
The prospect of financial gain and peer pressure are two further factors that may encourage them to engage in illegal activity.
Example
A collection of young individuals who reside in a low-income area with limited employment options and access to high-quality education.
Many of them have acquaintances or relatives who are involved in criminal activity. They view committing crimes as a means of making money and gaining respect from their peers. As a way to succeed, they might get involved in drug sales or join gangs.
Conflict Subculture
People may create a conflict subculture if they have restricted access to both legal and illicit means. People in this subculture may act violently or in other ways deviate from the norm in order to earn prestige among their peers or to make an assertion against those in positions of power.
Example
A subset of pupils from low-income households feel excluded and subjected to discrimination by their richer peers and teachers at a high school where students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds attend.
They might participate in acts of disobedience to establish their identity and get noticed, including skipping courses or picking fights.
Retreatist Subculture
People may withdraw from society if they are unable to succeed via both legal and illegal means. As a coping mechanism, they could resort to drug abuse, drunkenness, or other types of withdrawal. Many in this subculture are people who feel cut off from society at large.
Example
There is a subset of students in college dorms that struggle to fit in and feel cut off from the academic setting. To escape their sense of alienation and failure to succeed by conventional means, they can choose to binge drinking or drugging.
Deviant Subcultures From Differential Opportunity Theory
| Subculture Type | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Subculture | Subculture that promotes deviant behavior for gain. | Street gangs in urban areas engaging in illegal activities. |
| Conflict Subculture | Subculture that responds to perceived injustices with aggression. | Protest movements or revolutionary groups. |
| Retreatist Subculture | Subculture that rejects mainstream and deviant values. | Individuals turning to substance abuse for escapism. |
Key Terms: Legitimate vs Illegitimate
People frequently use the terms “legitimate” and “illegitimate” in common speech to characterize something as either acceptable or unacceptable, but what do these terms actually mean? To further grasp their importance, let’s examine some examples and dive into their definitions.
Legitimate
According to established norms, standards, or principles, anything is legitimate if it is deemed valid, lawful, or in line with them. Society often accepts it as appropriate or righteous.
Acceptance
Society usually frowns upon or criticizes illegitimate behaviors, but it often regards legitimate actions as lawful or valid.
Consequences
Taking legal action typically has favorable effects or rewards, but taking illegal action may have unfavorable effects or fines.
Means in Differential Opportunity Theory
“Means” in Differential Opportunity Theory refers to the strategies or tactics people use to strive for achievement. These methods fall into one of two groups:
Legitimate Means
These are the traditional, socially acceptable ways to succeed, such hard labor, education, and following the law.
Illegitimate Means
These include unorthodox or abnormal approaches to success, such delinquency, crime, or other types of breaching the law.
The notion states that people with varying social backgrounds might have differing access to acceptable means. People may resort to illegal measures as a different route to success when legal alternatives are not equally available to all members of society.
This may result in the emergence of subcultures that encourage abnormal behavior as a strategy for accomplishing objectives.
A Qualitative Analysis of Differential Opportunity Theory
Abstract
The 1960 theory of differential opportunity, put out by Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin, provides a distinctive viewpoint on the ways in which people from underprivileged origins negotiate social systems.
This qualitative examination looks more closely at the core ideas of the theory and considers how applicable and relevant it is to modern society.
This analysis tries to clarify the nuances of uneven opportunity and its consequences for social policy and action through a study of case studies and real-world examples.
Introduction
According to the Differential Opportunity Theory, when legal paths to success are restricted, people from underprivileged backgrounds may turn to illegal ones, like crime.
According to this hypothesis, not every member of society has equal access to legitimate possibilities, which causes some people to join subcultures that provide different routes to success.
In order to better grasp the underlying mechanisms of this theory, this qualitative study will employ qualitative research methodologies to investigate its intricacies.
Methodology
Using a case study methodology, this qualitative research will look at actual people who have had divergent opportunities. Comprehensive interviews, on-site observations, and document analysis will all be used to collect data.
The examination of how people negotiate social institutions and choose between goals and means will be the main emphasis of the analysis, which will also look for patterns and themes connected to differential opportunity.
Results
The findings of this qualitative investigation will shed light on the real-life experiences of those who are impacted by unequal opportunity.
This examination will illustrate the intricate relationship between opportunity, aberrant conduct, and social structure by looking at actual cases.
The examination will additionally go into the function of social policies and interventions in tackling the fundamental reasons behind unequal opportunities. And also diminishing dependence on illicit methods.
Conclusion
To sum up, Differential Opportunity Theory offers important new perspectives on the intricate connection between opportunity, deviant behavior, and social structure. This theory emphasizes how important it is to address systemic inequalities.
It’s in order to keep people from turning to illegal means of success. It’s because it recognizes the influence of unequal access to lawful means of achievement.
FAQs
Reducing crime opportunities can decrease criminal behavior.
Differential Association Theory, where criminal behavior is learned through interactions.
It focuses on access to means, not societal pressures.
Individuals more likely to engage in crime if they identify with criminal-supportive groups.
Related Posts:
Eddie Cheng In Crazy Rich Asians | Character Analysis
Oswald In King Lear | Character Analysis & Quotes
Post Structuralism | Definition, Characteristics & Deconstruction
11 Important Themes Of Pygmalion & Symbolism| By Bernard Shaw
All The Missing Girls | Summary, Analysis, Themes & Characters
