Group - Focal concerns theory

In criminology, the focal concerns theory, posited in 1958 by Walter B. Miller, attempts to explain the behavior of "members of adolescent street corner groups in lower class communities" as being based around six focal concerns:trouble, toughness, smartness, excitement, fate, autonomy. These focal concerns are described as "areas or issues which command widespread and persistent attention and a high degree of emotional involvement." Miller's theory, as it is often referred to, views these these criminogenic influences as a learned part of the lower class subculture values. In essence, the theory suggests that delinquency is in fact part of the learned cultural values rather than an anomic reaction to unattainable goals.