What Is a Co-Culture?

The study of how the co-culture, or subculture, communicates with the dominant societal structure is known as co-culture theory. The theory dictates that people who are part of the co-culture communicate differently with the dominant culture. This includes working to eliminate stereotypes, trying to pass as a member of the dominant culture, building connections and even avoiding the dominant culture completely. Each of these communication strategies reflects the difference in power between the two groups.