Hypothesis
Prominent representatives of subcultures are less likely to be hired for a top-paying job than the general citizens.
Independent Variable
(Sub)cultural affiliation – are you a prominent representative of any subculture different from the dominant culture of your community?
Response categories are yes or no.
Dependent Variable
Job – do you have a top-paying job?
Response categories are yes or no.
Structural Functionalist Theory
The society acts in a particular way because it requires stability. Particular groups of people become prominent representatives of subcultures while seeking for them to differ from the rest of the population. Thus, the role of people who follow an ordinary culture is to have top-paying jobs as they are better integrated into society so that the representatives of subcultures, who affect the community less, have fewer opportunities and receive less-paid jobs.
Conflict Theory
Society unites unequal groups that have conflicts that cause change. Thus, the majority which follows the dominant culture has more power and influence. It helps its members and provides them with highly-paid jobs. Others become representatives of subcultures and oppose them. Due to the conflict, they are deprived by the majority and receive worse working positions.
Symbolic Interaction
Society is formed based on ideas that are shared during the interactions and represent people’s interpretations of actions or events. Individuals interact and share the symbolic meaning of actions, events, etc. In this way, the representatives of subcultures interact worse and accept the ideas of a limited group (Crossman, 2016). Those who follow dominant culture perceive reality better as they consider more interpretations, which allows them to receive support from like-minded people and obtain top-paid jobs.
Symbolic interaction theory explains the hypothesis better as it shows that some people refer to subcultures because they are interpreted as a cool and popular tendency. Still, those who want to have high-paid jobs follow the majority, as it holds the power through increased interactions.
References
Crossman, A. (2016). Understanding symbolic interaction theory. Web.