threat transcendence, ideological articulation, and frame of reference reconstruction: preliminary concepts for a theory of subcultural schism

Schism is the division of a social group into two or more relatively distin ct and sometimes antagonistic factions. Recent case studies suggest that sc hism is common among contemporary deviant youth subcultures. Explanations o f subcultural schism, however, remain largely neglected. Thus, in response to theoretical deficiencies among existing academic literature, this articl e elaborates a conceptual foundation for a theory of subcultural schism. Bu ilding upon traditional and phenomenological theories of deviance, this art icle argues that deviant youth subcultures are collective reactions to comm only perceived moral or material threats. In turn, drawing upon theories of schism in new religious groups, this article proposes generally that subcu ltural schism occurs when intra-subcultural differentials in perceived thre at cause internal subcultural social networks to galvanize respectively aro und alternate sets of subcultural norms, values and beliefs.