Interactionism (Explaining C/D) Flashcards
What is Cooley’s assertion
There is a ‘looking glass self’ - individuals see themselves as a reflection of other’s judgements
What did Becker theorise?
Labelling theory - we all commit crime, deviance is relative and no act is intrinsically deviant; it is society’s reaction that makes it deviant - deviance is socially constructed
WHat is Becker’s self fulfilling prophecy?
Labelling creates a self fulfilling prophecy which creates outsider status and a deviant career
What did Lemert distinguish between?
Primary and secondary deviance.
Primary deviance - deviant acts which have not been labelled, does not affect an individual’s self concept
Secondary deviance - the result of being labelled, societal reaction, affects self concept and may cause a self-fulfilling prophecy and further deviance
What does Lemert argue about the individual causes of crime?
It is irrelevant - there may be multiple causes or may be trivial
What does Ackers argue (evaluation)?
Just because deviance is unlabelled does not mean it does not affect self-concept: people know they are deviant
What was Young (1971)’s study?
Marijuana use in London. Initially drug use was a ‘peripheral activity’, but labelling by police and media led them to view themselves as deviant creating a subculture and commitment to this deviant lifestyle
What do Interactionists think creates deviance?
Agents of social control and societal reaction
What did Braithwaite find?
Disintegrative shaming (the act, not the person) reduced reoffending due to no change in self concept. Has helped the cause of restorative justice
What is an evaluation of Interactionism?
Left Realism - ignores real victim of crime as it views criminal as a victim of labelling Too deterministic (although Becker argues that some can resist master status)
What did Cohen study?
Moral panics (mods and rockers) Media scapegoating = simplified causes and negative stereotypes = self-fulfulling prophecies and increased policing = deviancy amplification
