Interactionism and crime Flashcards
What do interactionists say about crime?
They 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.
Name 5 interactionists theorists
Becker, Lemert, Douglas, Cicourel, Braithwaite
What does Becker say about crime?
Labelling- deviant behaviour is labelled based on class, ethnicity, gender etc.
What does Cicourel say about crime?
Officers typifications (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 areas.
What does Lemert say about crime?
Distinguishes between two types of deviance: primary and secondary
What is primary deviance according to Lemert?
deviant acts that have not been publicly labelled as criminal.
What is secondary deviance according to Lemert?
deviant acts and individuals that are labelled.
What does Braithwaite say?
Distinguishes between two different types of shaming- reintegrative and disintegrative
What does Braithwaite say about reintegrative shaming?
punishes them in a way that strengthens their bonds with society.
What does Braithwaite say about disintegrative shaming?
punishment which isolates the individual and causes secondary deviance.
What does Douglas believe?
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 (doctors, the coroner, family). Statistics therefore tell us nothing about the meaning behind an individual’s decision to commit suicide.
Who rejects the use of official statistics?
Douglas
Who talks about different types of shaming?
Braithwaite- reintegrative and disintegrative
