Subcultural theory focuses on which of the following?

Subcultural theory highlights the importance of distinct groups within society that have their own unique set of norms, values, and behaviors that differ from the mainstream culture. This theory posits that individuals who belong to these subcultures may develop a unique worldview that influences their actions and decisions, potentially leading to behaviors often seen as deviant or criminal by the larger society.

For example, youth gangs may create their own subculture with specific norms regarding loyalty, aggression, and success, which can contradict broader societal expectations. This focus on how different social contexts and cultural backgrounds affect behavior is fundamental to understanding various forms of deviance and criminality. In contrast, the other options do not encapsulate the core emphasis of subcultural theory. The second option speaks about general conformity, the third considers biological determinants, which are unrelated to cultural influences, and the fourth discusses legal definitions that do not specifically address the relationships among different sets of norms within subcultures.