Labelling Theory

Question 1

Becker
Deviance exists in the eye of the beholder
AO1

Answer 1

Acts become deviant when it’s seen and defined as - depending on societal reaction

Question 2

Becker
Deviance exists in the eye of the beholder
AO2

Answer 2

Student steals a book and another student sees and finds it funny so no label applied
If the student found it wrong and reported it, then it would be labelled as deviant

Deviant acts are seen as a social construct

Question 3

Becker
Deviance exists in the eye of the beholder
AO3

Answer 3

Becker assumes the act isn’t deviant until labelled however lots of people know what they are doing is deviant and doesn’t explain why there are different reactions

Question 4

Becker
Moral entrepreneur
AO1

Answer 4

Who had the power to attach deviant labels and make them stick, this refers to media and police who have the power to create rules and impose definitions

Question 5

Becker
Moral entrepreneur
AO2

Answer 5

Drill music - police and media attached deviant label and called it the soundtrack to London’s murderers and stop and search anyone linked to gangs
Drill is now illegal to perform

Question 6

Becker
Moral entrepreneur
AO3

Answer 6

Points out the issue of power in labelling process but fails to examine structure of power in society that creates framework
Marxists argue deviant labels are a result of class inequalities

Question 7

Cicourel
Negotiation of justice
AO1

Answer 7

The social context of who is performing the act influences the application of the label and how the CJS responds

Question 8

Cicourel
Negotiation of justice
AO2

Answer 8

Police stereotype typical delinquent - WC from deprived backgrounds and come from poor parenting and poverty

Believe mc crime is a blip

Question 9

Cicourel
Negotiation of justice
AO3

Answer 9

Only attached to WC not MC who commit same crimes
Works against the rich
Millionaires daughter who drove looters around London in 2011 received higher sentences due to privileged background

Question 10

Lemert

AO1

Answer 10

Primary deviance is deviance not labelled as deviant eg people break traffic laws using illegal drugs or Download child porn, know one knows about it so no label is given

Secondary deviance- occur once person had been discovered and publicly labelled as deviant eg stigma attached to people caught downloading porn

Question 11

Lemert AO3

Answer 11

Doesn’t explain cause of deviant behaviour which comes before the labelling process
Cohen argue young men smoke weed to look cool and gain status