Albert K. Cohen

Albert K. Cohen (1918–2014) was an American sociologist and criminologist best known for his work on delinquent subcultures. As a professor at the University of Connecticut, Cohen challenged traditional explanations of juvenile delinquency by emphasizing the role of status frustration and cultural adaptation. His influential theory, outlined in Delinquent Boys (1955), argued that working-class youth develop alternative value systems in response to blocked opportunities for success in mainstream society.

Cohen’s subcultural theory expanded the scope of criminology by integrating sociological insights into cultural adaptation, deviance, and group identity. His work bridged strain theories with the emerging study of youth cultures, influencing later perspectives in both criminology and sociology.

Interview

This video interview was conducted as part of the Oral History of Criminology Project. In this conversation, Albert K. Cohen discusses the early days of American criminology, the intellectual roots of his subcultural theory, and how social structure, status, and group dynamics shape delinquent behavior.