Interactionism/Labelling theory

Question 1

What are the theories for interactionists?

Answer 1

1.Social construction of deviance
2.differential enforcement
3.typifications
4.effects of labelling
5.self fulfilling prophecy and the deviant career
6. more effects of labelling causing an increase in crime + deviance

Question 2

What is the social construction of deviance?

Answer 2

Powerful social groups create deviance by creating rules and applying them to particular people “outsiders”

Act or person is deviant once labelled

moral entrepreneurs lead a crusade to change the law it leads to:

1.creation of a new group of outsiders
2. creation or expansion of a social control agency

Question 3

sociologist for social contraction of deviance?

Answer 3

Becker

Question 4

what is differential enforcement

Answer 4

Not everyone who commits crime is punished for it - whether they are depends on certain factors

social control agencies label groups based on stereotypes

young black males 7x more likely to be stopped and searched

Question 5

Who is the sociologist for Differential Enforcement

Answer 5

pilliavin and briar - police decisions to arrest based on stereotypes

Question 6

What are typifications

Answer 6

stereotypes of the typical deviant
if people fit this they are more likely to be arrested and charged

WC and EMs more likely to be arrested
they are treated harshly by police and seen as in need of serious punishment

MC less likely to fit + parents can negotiate justice

Question 7

What is negotiation of justice (inside typifications)

Answer 7

MC have parents that can negotiate justice on behalf of the children using cultural capital or connections to lawyers

Question 8

What is the effects of labelling

Answer 8

labelling certain people as deviant encourages them to commit more crime and deviance

primary deviance - deviant acts that aren’t labelled, trivial - shoplifting

secondary deviance- labelled + people will get caught then commit it - criminal becomes their master status

Question 9

What is self fulfilling prophecy and the deviant career

Answer 9

being labelled provokes a crisis for people’s self concept

they accept it and commit more crime

further societal reaction reinforces the outsider status + join a deviant subculture offering a deviant career

Question 10

More effects of labelling causing an increase in crime

Answer 10

Deviance amplification spiral - attempt to control deviance increase it rather than decrease it