NCJ Number
120167
Journal
Criminology Volume: 27 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1989) Pages: 273-306
Date Published
1989
Length
34 pages
Annotation
Data from a three State survey are used to test the hypotheses derived from Claude Fischer's ecological subcultural theory linking size-of-place, subcultural development, and unconventional behavior.
Abstract
The mixed findings suggest the theory has merit but is too general and needs to be refined to specify the conditions under which various effects are the most likely. The following realities need to be confronted by the refinement: population size is not necessarily predictive of high probabilities of all kinds of deviance, deviance is not all subculturally linked, and subcultures and subcultural involvement is not necessarily concentrated in bigger places. Strong subcultural involvement exercises great influence on behavior. 12 notes, 4 tables, 41 references, 4 appendixes. (Author abstract modified)