2. Interactionism & Labelling Theory -The social construction of crime Flashcards
Briefly outline the interactionist approach to explaining crime
Interactionists focus on the social construction of crime, whereby an act only becomes deviant when labelled as such, through societal reaction.
However, not every deviant act or criminal is labelled, and labelling theory is selectively enforced against some groups. Some sociologists believe labelling may cause an individual to be defined a master status.
Breifly Outline Labellist theorists view on social construction of crime
Main sociologists: Becker & Circouel
Labelling theorists are interested in how & why certain acts come to be defined or labelled as criminal-argue that no act is inherently criminal or deviant itself, it is not the nature of the act that makes it deviant but the nature of societies reaction to the act
Outline Beckers view on social construction of crime
Labelling theorist
A Deviant is someone who the label has been successfully applied, and deviant behavior is simply behavior that people so label. Those who are labelled are labelled based on gender, class and ethnicity.
Labelling theorists are interested in the role of moral entrepreneurs
These are people who lead a moral campaign to change the law
Becker argue this law has 2 effects:
- The creation of a new group of ‘outsiders’-deviants who break the new rule
- The expansion of a social control agency (such as police, courts) to enforce the rule & impose labels on offenders
Circouel ( Officer Typifications)
Interactionist
Officers decisions of arrest are influenced by their stereotypes about offenders.
Found that Officers typifications (stereotypes) of the typical criminal lead them to concentrate on types of people that are more likely to offend - for instance, by patrolling working class areas.
Found that probation officers held commonsense theory that juvenile delinquency was caused by broken homes, poverty & lax parenting
