Labelling theory

Question 1

Who theorised the labelling theory?

Answer 1

Becker

Question 2

What is crime defined by?

Answer 2

Not the act, but the label that the act is given by society

Question 3

What does the labelling theory mean for society?

Answer 3

Allows the high powered people to maintain their status and power so they can control those in society

Question 4

Example of why context matters:

Answer 4

Someone who murders someone in combat may be seen as a war hero - someone who murders someone in another scenario may be seen as a brutal murderer

• need context so people don’t get treated the exact same

Question 5

What is crime?

Answer 5

A social construct

Question 6

How can a label impact someone?

Answer 6

Even those who commit minor crimes can be labelled as criminal, the same as a murderer would be labelled - can impact employment - can impact self esteem - can impact the way others treat you

Question 7

Are labels based on evidence?

Answer 7

YES

Question 8

What is retrospective labelling?

Answer 8

Assuming past criminal activity will be repeated

Question 9

What is projective labelling?

Answer 9

Assuming present criminal activity will be repeated

Question 10

Strengths:

Answer 10

• Liberman - looked at young offenders who were previously arrested - found that they were more likely to commit other crimes compared to juveniles who had not been arrested
• Useful - if there was no label for deviant behaviour, there would be no limit for what actions would and wouldn’t be allowed - keeps society safe and free from chaos

Question 11

Weakness?

Answer 11

• Reductionist - doesn’t consider bio factors as to why someone commits a crime - e.g head injuries or genetics