Interactionism/Labeling/Stigma Flashcards
Nuts Slut and Perverts - Alexander Liazos
“Beginning in the 1940s and 50’s, culminating in the 1960s, the field of …”
the field of “deviance” has largely replaced the social problems orientation.
Nuts Slut and Perverts - Alexander Liazos
In what 4 ways is this new field distinguishable from the older one?
- Some theoretical framework
- Small-town morality is largely gone
- Statements and theories are based on previous research
- Writers attempt to fit their work to more central theories
Nuts Slut and Perverts - Alexander Liazos
What did the author examine and what were the 3 important theoretical and political biases that he found?
Examined 16 textbooks in the field
Three Biases
1. Writers attempt to normalize the deviant, creating the opposite effect
2. Focus on mainstream forms of deviance only
3. Lack of focus on forms of power, oppression, and institutions
Nuts Slut and Perverts - Alexander Liazos
What are his 2 concluding disclaimers?
- Don’t only study mainstream forms of deviance, focus more on how deviance is socially constructed by earlier stated forms of power
- Focus on deviant confirms belief that they are deviant
On Behalf of Labeling Theory - Eric Goode
What does this author say are the 3 fundamental flaws in the critiques of labeling theory and their obsession with nuts, sluts, and perverts?
- Too interested in getting rid of conflict theory
- Labeling theory constantly redefined, losing sight of the original
- Critics incapable of differentiating between what labeling theorists have said and the power of the perspective
On Behalf of Labeling Theory - Eric Goode
What does this author say about whether Labeling theory is actually a theory? What does Howard Becker say?
Labeling Theory is merely a concept, Becker agrees
On Behalf of Labeling Theory - Eric Goode
What does the author say about the accusation that labeling theory tries to humanize the deviants and compel us to empathize with them?
The observer empathizing with the deviant means that they have a greater understanding of their behavior
On Behalf of Labeling Theory - Eric Goode
What does the author say about the accusation that labeling theory is obsessed with nuts, sluts and perverts?
It is a valid critique, however it is assuming that this obsession is only a labeling theory viewpoint
On Behalf of Labeling Theory - Eric Goode
Important Sentence:
“Far from a theory of deviance, the major ideas in labeling theory are at the level of what Herbert Blumer calls sensitizing concepts”
Primary and Secondary Deviation - Edwin Lemert
What does this author say about both gradual shifts in personalities, as well as sudden shifts?
- Gradual Shifts: the same shift in personality in children happens in adults
- Sudden Shifts: usually traumatic experiences lead to sudden personality shifts
Primary and Secondary Deviation - Edwin Lemert
“Cases exist to show that personality modifications…”
“there can be an acceleration of such changes caused largely by the intensity and variety of the social stimulation”
Primary and Secondary Deviation - Edwin Lemert
“In the process of group formation…”
“Crises and interactional amplification are vital requisites to forging true, role-oriented group behavior out of individuated behavior”
Primary and Secondary Deviation - Edwin Lemert
What does the author say about primary deviance?
Situational, specific circumstances
Primary and Secondary Deviation - Edwin Lemert
What does the author say about secondary deviance?
When an individual employs his deviance it becomes secondary deviance
Beyond Mead: The Societal Reaction to Deviance - Edwin Lemert
What does the author mean by theoretical asymmetry and what does he think the perennial problem is in sociology?
- Structuralists never gave audience a role in deviance
- Interactionists never gave structuralists a say
Beyond Mead: The Societal Reaction to Deviance - Edwin Lemert
What does he identify as a limitation of George Herbert Mead’s symbolic interactionism?
Too subjectivist
