Labelling Theories of Crime Flashcards
What does Becker argue about the social construction of crime?
No act is inherently deviant in itself - it only becomes deviant when others label it as such
A deviant is simply someone who has been labelled in that way
What does Becker argue about moral entrepreneurs?
Moral entrepreneurs lead a ‘moral crusade’ to change a law
What are the consequences of moral entrepreneurs?
Creates more outsiders: people who are outside the law
Expands the activities of social control agents such as the police, courts etc. to enforce laws and impose labels
Who gets labelled as deviant?
Labels aren’t applied equally
Not everyone who commits an offence will be punished
What does being labelled as deviant depend on?
How they interact with the police, courts etc
Their appearance, background, history
The circumstances of the offence
What does Cicourel argue about the police and stereotypes?
Argue the police hold stereotypes (or typification) of the typical delinquent
e.g. low-income backgrounds, broken homes, poor education etc.
What does Cicourel argue about youths from low-income backgrounds?
Youths from these backgrounds were more likely to be arrested and charged by the police because they fit the typical delinquent image
What does Cicourel argue about offenders from middle-class backgrounds?
Offenders from middle-class backgrounds were less likely to be prosecuted for the same offence because they didn’t fit the stereotypical image of a typical delinquent
What does Lemert argue the primary and secondary labels of deviance are?
Primary deviance is not publically labelled
Secondary deviance is publically labelled
What does Lemert argue secondary deviance leads to?
Leads to a societal reaction
i.e. society labels the individual as a deviant and this leads to more deviant behaviour, therefore, publically labelling a deviant leads to more deviance
What does Young argue societal reaction of labelling leads to?
Argue societal reaction to labelling can lead to a master status
What does Young argue master status is?
The main status or identity that person has in the eyes of others
How does Young argue master status affects an individual?
The individual also starts to see themselves in that way, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy and emphasising their identity as an outsider
What does Young argue a self-fulfilling prophecy from labelling lead to?
Can lead to a deviant career as the individual finds it harder to secure work so may become part of a deviant subculture, confirming their criminal label
What does Young’s study show about attempts to control deviance?
Shows that attempts to control deviance can cause more deviance
Creating deviancy amplification, rather than preventing it
