Interactionism and Labelling theory

Question 1

What does Becker say about a ‘deviant’?

Answer 1

• A deviant is someone who the label has been successfully applied to

Question 2

What two effects does Becker say the new law has?

Answer 2

• The creation of a new group of ‘outsiders’

- The creation or expansion of a social control agency e.g. the police

Question 3

Cicourel

Answer 3

-Officers base their arrests on stereotypes which results in a law enforcement class bias

Question 4

Crime statistics

Answer 4

• Interactionists see crime stats as socially constructed

- Only tell us about activities of police and prosecutors

Question 5

Alternative statistics

Answer 5

• Victim surveys

- Self report studies

Question 6

What are the two types of deviance? (Lemert)

Answer 6

Primary- Deviant acts that have not been publically labelled (no big deal)
Secondary- Result of societal reaction: Labelling, being taught etc. and public labelling
-Self fulfilling prophecy

Question 7

Deviant career study- Young (1971)

Answer 7

• Marijuana hippies
• Police led them to believing they were outsiders
• Led to development of a deviant subculture