Ch. 3 - Explaining Deviance (Interpretive Theories)

Question 1

What do interpretive theories focus on?

Answer 1

How people develop understandings of the world around themselves and others.

Question 2

What are the 3 types of theories within the interpretive class?

Answer 2

Symbolic interactionism, labelling theories, and the theory of the deviant career.

Question 3

What is the main assumption of symbolic interactionism?

Answer 3

We develop understanding and attribute meaning to the world around us and to ourselves on the basis of interactions we have had with other people in our lives.

Question 4

[Symbolic Interactionism] How is society created?

Answer 4

By social interactions occurring via the use of symbols.

Question 5

What are the four key concepts in symbolic interactionism?

Answer 5

Role-taking, the looking-glass self, significant others, and generalized others.

Question 6

[Symbolic Interactionism] What is role-taking?

Answer 6

We take other people’s roles and imagine what their perspective would be in order to decide how to act.

Question 7

[Symbolic Interactionism] What is the looking-glass self?

Answer 7

We imagine how other people see us and change our actions accordingly.

Question 8

[Symbolic Interactionism] Who are significant others? What role do they play?

Answer 8

They are important people in our lives, their opinions of us are important to us.

Question 9

[Symbolic Interactionism] Who are generalized others?

Answer 9

People with no special value to us, we still care what they think though.

Question 10

What is the assumption of labelling theories?

Answer 10

If you call someone something for long enough, they eventually become that thing.

Question 11

Who are the four thinkers that influenced labelling theory?

Answer 11

Tannenbaum, Lemert, Becker, and Goffman.

Question 12

Who is known as the grandfather of labelling theory?

Answer 12

Tannenbaum.

Question 13

[Labelling] What are the two processes described by Tannenbaum?

Answer 13

Tagging and the dramatization of evil.

Question 14

[Labelling] What is tagging?

Answer 14

A deviant label is attached to someone’s act.

Question 15

[Labelling] What is the dramatization of evil?

Answer 15

The deviant label becomes applied to the person instead of just the act.

Question 16

[Labelling] What does the dramatization of evil result in?

Answer 16

Changes in identity and subsequent behaviour; internalization of the deviant label.

Question 17

[Labelling] What did Lemert contribute to labelling theory?

Answer 17

A distinction between primary and secondary deviance.

Question 18

[Labelling] What is the difference between primary and secondary deviance?

Answer 18

Primary deviance involves occasional rule-breaking. Secondary deviance is a deviant lifestyle and identity.

Question 19

[Labelling] What results in the transition from primary to secondary deviance?

Answer 19

Being caught. People label the person as deviant, then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Question 20

[Labelling] What did Becker contribute to labelling theory?

Answer 20

The concept of master status.

Question 21

[Labelling] What is a master status?

Answer 21

A status/label that is the main identifier to others.

Question 22

[Labelling] How does a deviant master status affect someone?

Answer 22

It causes the conforming world to reject them, resulting in changes to identity and lifestyle.

Question 23

[Labelling] What did Goffman contribute to labelling theory?

Answer 23

The dramaturgical approach and the idea of discredited and discreditable stigmas.

Question 24

[Labelling] What is the dramaturgical approach?

Answer 24

We play different roles. There are front-stage selves and back-stage selves.

Question 25

[Labelling] What are front-stage selves?

Answer 25

The selves we present to others and impression manage.

Question 26

[Labelling] What are back-stage selves?

Answer 26

Our internal monologue and self.

Question 27

[Labelling] What makes impression management difficult?

Answer 27

Stigmatization as deviant or spoiled identities.

Question 28

[Labelling] What does it mean for a stigma to be discredited?

Answer 28

The stigma is well-known by people.

Question 29

[Labelling] What does it mean for a stigma to be discreditable?

Answer 29

Stigmas that are unknown or can be hidden. There is a possibility for the stigma to become discredited.

Question 30

[Labelling] What are the two types of shaming?

Answer 30

Disintegrated and reintegrative.

Question 31

[Labelling] What is disintegrated shaming?

Answer 31

A situation in which the deviant is completely rejected and cast out.

Question 32

[Labelling] What is reintegrative shaming?

Answer 32

A temporary stigma. Someone is held accountable and their behaviour condemned, but as long as they take responsibility, the stigma is lifted.

Question 33

[Labelling] What is tertiary deviance?

Answer 33

Deviance that challenges or resists the deviant label. E.g., arguing for the legalization of marijuana.

Question 34

Who proposed the idea of the deviant career?

Answer 34

Becker.

Question 35

What is the idea of the deviant career?

Answer 35

To illustrate how people who are engaged in deviance progress through a series of stages.

Question 36

[Deviant Career] What are career contingencies?

Answer 36

The various turning points that influence the directions people take.

Question 37

[Deviant Career] What are the 3 types of deviants?

Answer 37

The pure deviant, the falsely accused deviant, and the secret deviant.

Question 38

[Deviant Career] What is a pure deviant?

Answer 38

Someone who engages in deviance and someone who is responded to as if they are deviant.

Question 39

What are the 2 most significant criticisms of interpretive theories?

Answer 39

The lack of attention to the social structure and their failure to explain the initial acts of deviance.

Question 40

What has Lemert’s labelling theory been criticized for? (4)

Answer 40

For focusing on adolescents, failing to address the long-term effects of labelling, only looking at formal labels, and not addressing the processes involved in the transition from primary to secondary deviance.