Labelling Theory Flashcards
What is Beckers view?
Society creates deviance by creating rules and applying them to to individuals they label as outsiders.
It’s not the act that is deviant but societies reaction to it “deviant behaviour is behaviour that people so label”
Deviance amplification is attempts to control the deviance but only increases it
Why are some behaviours deviant?
Because society labels them as deviant. Individuals are then more deviant because of that label.
What are the cons to Beckers view?
Fails to explain why some are labelled and why some are not
Who has the power to maintain the presence of the label.
What are lemerts views?
Social control causes deviancy
When there is no stigma or exclusion attached then no deviant career will occur.
Primary deviance- social response to a deviant act
Secondary deviance- individual reacts to their labelling and changes their self image to fit with it
What are the cons of lemerts view?
Fails to mention if you can’t ever get rid of the label.
What is a recent example of labelling theory and secondary deviance?
The labours use of asbo’a to clamp down on antisocial behaviour which criminalised some behaviours which weren’t defined as a crime in the law. However young people saw it as a badge of honour and continued to be deviant and live upto it
