What term is used to define a subculture that deliberately opposes certain aspects of the larger culture?

The term "counterculture" refers to a subculture that actively rejects and opposes specific values, norms, and practices of the dominant culture within society. This phenomenon often arises when a group feels that the mainstream culture fails to address their needs, desires, or beliefs, prompting them to form their own identity that contrasts significantly with the prevailing societal standards.

Countercultures seek to establish their own distinct social norms, aesthetics, and references, often as a way to promote social change or express dissatisfaction with the status quo. Examples include movements like the 1960s hippie movement, punk culture, or various contemporary activist groups that challenge conventional societal norms.

Cultural transmission, cultural universals, and crime do not reflect the idea of opposing the larger culture. Cultural transmission involves the process of learning and passing on cultural norms and values, cultural universals pertain to elements that are common across all cultures, and crime relates to the violation of societal laws rather than a broad challenge to cultural norms. Thus, counterculture is the most precise term for a subculture that deliberately opposes elements of the dominant culture.