Insteractionism Theory And Crime

Question 1

A summary of their views

Answer 1

Focus on social construction of crime, whereby an act only becomes deviant when labelled as such, though societal reaction. However, not every deviant act or criminal is labelled, and labelling theory is selectively enforced against some groups.

Question 2

Becker

Answer 2

The social construction of crime- a deviant is someone who the label has been successfully applied, and deviant is simply behaviour that people so label. Those who are labelled are labelled based on gender, class and ethnicity.

Question 3

Cicourel

Answer 3

Officers stereotypes of the typical criminal lead to them concentrate on types of people that are more likely to offend- for instance, by patrolling working class area.

Question 4

Lemert

Answer 4

Distinguishes between 2 types of deviance:
Primary- deviant acts have not been publicly labelled as criminal.
Secondary- acts and individuals are labelled. Once someone has been labelled, people may only see them according to their master status.

Question 5

Braithwaite

Answer 5

Distinguish between types of shaming:
Reintegrative- punishes them in a way that strengthens their bonds with society.
Disintegrative- punishment that isolates the individual and causes secondary deviance.

Question 6

Douglas

Answer 6

Rejects the use of official statistics when examining suicide. Whether a death is labelled as a suicide depends on the interactions and negotiations between social actors. Statistics tell us nothing about the meaning behind an individuals decision to commit suicide.