Interactionists on Crime and Deviance Flashcards
Why did Becker say crime is socially constructed?
There are no behaviours that are naturally deviant
How are certain behaviours defined as deviant?
By being present in a society at a particular period of time
What does it mean if deviant behaviour and crimes are culturally specific?
Deviance and crime is classified differently for different societies
What is a crime in Britain that is not a crime in Saudi Arabia?
Polygamy
What label is given to people who commit crimes?
Outsiders
What does it mean if a crime is historically specific?
It used to be a crime but no longer is
Name 3 context factors which classify if an act is deviant
Who is doing it, When they did it, Where they did it
Name a historically specific crime
Divorce
What do Postmodernists say needs to happen with the definition of crime?
It needs to be redefined
Drinking alcohol would be considered deviant if…
It was done in a Park in the morning by someone underage
Which Postmodernists said crime needed to be redefined?
Henry and Milovanovic
Why do Postmodernists argue crime needs to be redefined?
To better reflect social changes that have happened
How do Henry and Milovanovic suggest crime should be defined as?
A suppression of someone’s potential through the use of power
Why would Henry and Milovanovic say poverty is a crime in terms of potential?
It is suppressing people from their potential
What would Henry and Milovanovic argue about poverty?
It is a crime
What does Becker say happens to a person if they are labelled negatively by a powerful figure?
It becomes their master status
What will happen with the master status over time?
The person with it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy
What is a master status?
A label that overrides all other characteristics of a person
What is a self-fulfilling prophecy?
When someone becomes like the master status label they were given
Name 2 institutions in society with of power
Law system, government
What will it mean if an institution with a lot of power labels someone as an outsider?
They are more likely to fully become an outsider
What does it mean if someone is an outsider?
They are not part of mainstream society
What is secondary deviance?
The deviant acts committed by people after being negatively labelled
What is primary deviance?
The initial deviant act
What happens in terms of labelling if the primary deviance is not discovered?
The person will not be negatively labelled
What 2 concepts did Lemert clarify?
Primary Deviance and Secondary Deviance
What would Feminists say Interactionists ignore?
They ignore how the patriarchy impacts how crime and deviance is treated in society
Which gender do Feminists argue are treated worse in the Criminal Justice System?
Women
Which theory did Heidensohn create?
Double deviance theory
What does the double deviance theory say?
Women are punished twice in the criminal justice system
What is the second way women are punished for committing a crime?
For going against their gender role
What is the first way women are punished for committing a crime?
For doing it in a masculine way
What will it mean in terms of punishments in relation to the double deviance theory?
Women are punished more harshly
Who did Chambliss study?
The Saints and the Roughnecks
What did the Saints and Roughnecks both do?
Engage in deviant behaviour
Name 2 deviant behaviours of the Roughnecks
Vandalism, Fighting
Name 2 deviant behaviours of the Saints
Truanting, Removing barriers around unrepaired holes
What was the social class of the Saints?
Upper middle class
What was the social class of the Roughnecks?
Working class
Which group were labelled as deviant?
The Roughnecks
Why were the Saints not seen as deviant in their home town?
Because they committed deviant acts outside of town
Name 2 groups of people that had power to label the Saints and the Roughnecks
The public, Teachers
Why were the Saints not seen as deviant in terms of educational attainment?
They did very well in school
Why were the Roughnecks seen as deviant in their home town?
Because they committed deviant acts in their town
Why were the Roughnecks seen as deviant in terms of educational attainment?
They did not do well in school
What did Becker say about treatment of middle class boys in the Criminal Justice System?
They are treated more leniently
What was the social class of Michaela Booth?
Working class
What did Michaela Booth do?
She kicked someone with studded boots in a drunk fight
