Labelling theory Flashcards
(57 cards)
what is labelling theory associated with?
interactionism
what is the key idea of interactionism?
crime is socially constructed, agents of social control label the powerless as deviant and criminal based on stereotypical assumptions creating the effect of a self-fulfilling prophecy
why do interactionists say that people do not become criminals because of their social backround?
they say criminals emerge because of labelling by authorities
what do interactionists see crime as?
a product of micro-level interactions between certain individuals and the police
what are the 4 key concepts associated with interactionist theories of deviance?
- crime is socially constructed
- not everyone who is deviant gets labelled
- labelling has real consequences
- labelling theory has a clear ‘value position’
what do interactionist theories of crime suggest?
it is more important to explore how people come to be considered as deviant and the effect of becoming labelled as deviant on future behaviour
what do interactionists mean by crime being socially constructed?
an act which harms and individual or society only becomes criminal if those in power label that act as criminal
what do interactionists mean by not everyone who is deviant gets a label?
negative labels are generally given to the powerless by the powerful
what do interactionists mean by labelling theory having a clear ‘value position’?
it should aim to promote policies that prevent labelling minor acts as deviant
what does Becker reveal?
how crime is the product of social interactions
how does Becker explain how crime is a product of social interactions?
in a low-income neighbourhood, a fight is more likely to be labeled by police as delinquent, but in a wealthy area it is evidence of high spirits
what do most labelling theorists argue?
that everyone acts in ways that are deviant. therefore, the point of interest is why some acts become determined as deviant while others do not
when does Becker say an act becomes deviant?
when others perceive and define it as such and whether or not the deviant label is applied will depend on societal reaction
what does Becker call groups such as the media, and police
moral entreprenures
what does Becker describe moral entreprenures as being able to do?
haveing the power and resources to create or enforce rules and impose their definitions of deviance
according to Becker what are agencies of social control (the police) able to do?
use their discretion and selective judgement in deciding whether or how to deal with illegal or deviant behaviour, leading to selective law enforcement
what does Becker suggest the police operate with?
pre-existing conceptions and stereotypical categories of what constitutes ‘trouble’, criminal types and areas
what effect does police stereotyping have on their approach to prosecuting people?
the action is a reflection of the stereotypes help by police, not a reflection of reality
what is the famous quote that aligns with Beckers view?
‘deviance exists in the eye of the beholder’
what do the police associate drill music with?
deviancy
why do the police associate drill music as deviant?
they believe it is ‘the soundtrack of london murders’
what is an evaluation of Beckers view on crime?
assumes that an act is only deviant when labelled as such, but most people know when they are committing a deviant act
what would marxists argue the deviant label is a result of?
social class inequalities in a capitalist society
according to Becker what are the three effects of labelling?
- master status
- deviant careers
- moral panics & deviancy amplification
