Interactionism - The Impact Of Public Labelling

Question 1

Lemert (1951)

Answer 1

argues hat societal reaction to behaviour is more significant than the behaviour itself

uses the terms ‘primary and secondary deviance’
primary: deviant acts not publicly labelled

secondary: the societal reaction to the deviance - affects self concept/status

Question 2

Matza (1964)

Answer 2

argues that youths drift in and out of deviance, they feel a moral obligation to obey the law but also pursue ‘subterranean values’ which challenges morally acceptable values e.g. risk taking

when youths commit deviance acts he/she uses ‘techniques of neutralisation’ which justify their acts and prevent a deviant identity

Question 3

Matza (1964)

5 ‘techniques of neutralisation’

Answer 3

denial of responsibility - not within the individuals control

denial of injury - arguing it did no harm

denial of the victim - arguing he/she deserved what happened

condemnation of the condemners - arguing those labelling the behaviour are in the wrong or hypocritical

appeal to higher loyalties - arguing that other values e.g. family were behind the behaviour