CRIME AND DEVIANCE - Interactionism + Labelling Theory --> Becker, Cicourel, Reiner, Lemert, Braithwaite, Jock Young and Stan Cohen Flashcards
What is the definition of the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy?
To live up to a label that is placed on you!
What is the definition of Labelling?
To apply a stereotypical characteristic / label onto an individual.
What is the definition of the Master Status?
A status that replaces all other features of a person’s social standing; they are solely judged in terms of the label (by themselves and by others) - They internalise the label!
What is the definition of Primary Deviance?
Deviance that has not been labelled by society as being ‘deviant’! (Behaviour that has yet to be labelled)!
What is the definition of Secondary Deviance?
Acts of deviance that follow an individual once they have been labelled as a ‘deviant’. (What behaviour / actions a person does after they have been outed as a ‘deviant’)
What is the definition of Symbolic Interactionism?
A theory that argues that the world is made up by social construction (socially constructed elements)! Humans give meanings to people and other things that can change how individuals act towards each other / different institutions / different things!
What is the definition of ‘high jinx’?
Anti-social behaviour, including littering and the Bullingdon Club!
Some anti-social behaviour when carried out by white, middle-class individuals may be seen as ‘high jinx’ and accepted (such as the Bullingdon Club)! However, when carried out by other youths, these individuals may be seen as deviants, and their behaviour be deemed ‘unacceptable’!
What sociologist studies Labelling?
Howard Becker!
(BECKER) What are the quotes he says that link deviancy to labelling?
‘Deviance is that which we label!’
‘Deviant behaviour is behaviour that people so label!’
(BECKER) What does the labelling theory say regarding people committing crime?
Most people commit crime in their day to day lives, such as speeding!
However, only some people are caught and stigmatised (especially by the media)!
(BECKER) According to the labelling theory, what types of individuals are more likely to have a negative label applied on them?
Individuals from minority groups, especially those regarding race and sexuality!
(BECKER) What are the 5 things that the labelling theory focuses on?
- The INTERACTION between deviants and those who define / label them as such (EG = Institutions)
- The PROCESS whereby rules are selectively enforced and why the response to rule breaking is not always the same for everyone (EG = Selective enforcement and the difference between White and Blue Collar crimes).
- The CONSEQUENCES of being labelled as a ‘deviant’ (EG = The impact on society and the individual themselves)
- The INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES in which a person isset apart from society and defined as a ‘deviant’
- An analysis of who has the power to ATTACH ‘DEVIANT’ LABELS and make the ‘stick’ (EG = Institutions, like the media)
(BECKER) Give a definition of ‘moral enforcers’ and provide some examples.
Agencies who have the power and the resources to create or enforce rules and impose their own definitions of what is and is not ‘deviant’.
Examples include: The Media and the Police (Law Enforcement)
Give an example of an act that is criminal in one context and deviant in another. HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 3 examples here!
- A nurse injecting opiates into a patient is acceptable but a teenager injecting opiates in a park is criminal and deviant!
- Wearing swimwear at the beach is okay, but not in a board meeting!
- Killing is criminal, but in a war it is seen as acceptable!
Society constructs what is deviant and what is not!
(BECKER) Why do Moral Enforcers (such as the Media and the Police) enforce and impose certain rules on people?
- Due to an individual’s class, gender and ethnicity –> Links to institutional racism!
- Social control = Rules are made by rich individuals in order to benefit them!
Explain what the Bullingdon Club was!
This was an Oxford Society that included individuals such as Boris Johnson and David Cameron.
These individuals would hire out places, such as restaurants, and they would get drunk and wreck the place. The next day, however, they would pay off the bill!
They were LABELLED as rich people who were ‘letting off steam’, instead of ‘delinquents’ –> Because they were wealthy, they were not negatively labelled. However, if these had been working-class people, they would have received a different reaction!
What sociologist looked into the Negotiation of Justice and Typification?
Aaron Cicourel
(CICOUREL) Explain his study into Typification and how it links to the labelling theory!
He studied police in California and he found that the police were more likely to arrest people who fitted the picture of having a poor school performance, were from a low-income background, where from a ‘poor’ area, or where from an ethnic minority group –> The police were judging individuals based on certain stereotypes and they were applying a label to them!
(CICOUREL) Explain his study into the Negotiation of Justice!
He found that rich people, who have a specific address that may be in a wealthy / upper-class area or those who had links and connections, would be able to negotiate justice on the behalf of their children or relatives who got into trouble; this would allow parents to convince the police to give their children a reduced punishment.
This was not possible for working-class parents, perhaps due to the limited cultural capital and the weakened restricted speech code!
(CICOUREL) Summarise Cicourel’s studies in relation to the labelling theory!
The police were applying labels to people who they believed should and shouldn’t be charged for crimes - Typification!
Certain types of people are more or less likely to be able to negotiate their way out of crime - Negotiation of Justice!
What sociologist continued to look at Cicourel’s work on Typification, especially regarding ethnic minority groups and working-class youths?
Reiner!
(REINER) Explain Reiner’s study!
They found they ethnic minorities or working-class youths who live in specific areas are targeted more by the police who believe that the area has a ‘negative label’! –> These areas are usually more run-down areas, with high levels of unemployment and working-class individuals, rather than being wealthy, middle-class areas!
Reiner said that the police target specific areas with a high population of working-class and ethnic minority individuals; this means that these people will get labelled more negatively and frequently, and explains why numbers of working-class youths and ethnic minority individuals are high in crime statistics!
What are some Strengths and Limitations of Interactionism? (HINT: Name as many points as you can; there are 2 strengths and 3 weaknesses here)!
STRENGTHS:
- This theory / approach looks into the ‘looking-glass self’ (Cooley)!
- The theory / approach shows the importance and impact of the labelling theory
LIMITATIONS:
- It doesn’t look into or analyse the Marxist perspective on crime
- It doesn’t look into the victims of crime or offer them any support
- It is a micro approach; it doesn’t assess how the state can repress an individual
What sociologist studied Primary and Secondary Deviance?
Edwin Lemert!
