interactionist - strengths and weaknesses

Question 1

STRENGTHS: what does it highlight

Answer 1

the weaknesses in the official crime stats through law enforcement labelling of certain groups.
FOR EXAMPLE:
- black people = 7x more likely o be stopped and searched
- people from Asian or mixed ethnic backgrounds = 2.5x more likely

Question 2

STRENGTH: what does it highlight the role of the media

Answer 2

in defining and encouraging the deviance and for producing moral panics therefore its applicable - holds media and police accountable explains how moral panics lead to labelling of certain groups

Question 3

STRENGTH: what does it acknowledge

Answer 3

the social construction of crime and how criminal definitions and labels will be different in the place/time/culture
FOR EXAMPLE:
- homosexuality
- FGM
- cannabis use

Question 4

WEAKNESS; does the theory acknowledge how deviance may occur in the first place before labelling and self fufiling prophecy

Answer 4

no, this is a weakness because it doesn’t consider external factors ( upbringing)
FOR EXAMPLE:
- ted bundy
- before he was caught, doesn’t explain why he was a serial killer
- wasn’t labelled as a serial killer

Question 5

WEAKNESS: what does it ignore

Answer 5

• victim of crime
• only focuses on criminal
• may be romanticising criminal or making them appear to be victim
  -excusing unacceptable behaviour
• could encourage crime and takeaway the severity of it

Question 6

WEAKNESS: do all labels lead to a self fulfilling prophecy

Answer 6

• no
• some may reject their label
• theory is deterministic
• presumes we are destined to be criminal if we are labelled
• ignores free will