Labelling and interactionism Flashcards
what does the interactionism theory state about crime?
They say that
- nothing is inherently deviant but instead is societies reaction which labels an action as deviant
- and that crime and deviance are a product of those in power.
explain how statistics are social constructions?
since a crime is not the issue but rather societies reaction statistics only show what they people choose to react too instead of all crime that is going on.
what did Becker say on this issue?
Becker had stated how again no crime is inherently evil but rather it is someone who a label successfully attaches itself on to.
what is a moral entrepreneur?
They are active agents of social control who aim to establish and enforce rules against those who they define as deviant.
What example did Platt give of a moral entrepreneur?
The idea that m/c people came up with the idea for juvenile delinquency and how it was created to separate them and give them different status offences like truancy and sexual promiscuity
What did Cicourel say about agents of social control?
He spoke on how agents of social control like police have stereotypes and typifications which lead to different outcomes when different people have interactions with them.
How will a M/C person interactions with an agent of social control go rather then a W/C person.
A M/C person will be more likely to negotiate there justice and freedom which will likely lead to a lesser punishment where a W/C persons will not have the chance to negotiate.
what is meant by the dark statistics of crime?
This is the idea how we will never know the actual levels of crime within this country.
what is the deviance amplification spiral?
The idea that by trying to control deviance we actual create more deviance
What example did Becker use to outline how laws make deviance
1963 America outlawing marijuana as it went against moral values of America and subsequently left all people partaking in it as “deviant”
What are some evaluations of Becker
- did little to explain why initial acts of crime occurred
What does lemert say
Agreed with Becker saying that it’s the reaction of people within society which deems something as deviant
What is primary deviance
Refers to the acts that people commit before they are labelled as deviants
What is secondary deviance
This is the second or any further acts of deviance which occur due to having the initial label
What did Lemert say we should focus on in regards to people committing crime
That we should focus on conditions around prompt people to reoffend
