labelling theory Flashcards
what is a label?
a general and usually false term used to describe an individual/groups (minorities by a majority) and is normally based on a stereotype and is linked with current social norms.
what can it cause?
in relation to crime and ASB it usually has a negative stigma attached to it, and can change how people may treat the individual with the label.
who came up with the theory?
becker (1963)
what does he suggest?
that the label can change how an individual may view themselves as it can change their self-identity by what society classes them as. he suggests that evidence isn’t what someone is it is a label used to describe how their behavior goes against social norms.
how does Becker explain that labeling can lead to social isolation?
he it explains that if someone posses one trait which could be considered deviant it may lead to the negative stigma for the wrest of their life. e.g. a man got convicted of house robbery when he was younger, but is still perceived as someone likely to do it again, therefore may get shut out from society.
why might this lead to crime?
due to them being isolated they may be unable to get a job and consequently returns back to crime in order to make money.
why is this?
because they are unable to carry on the routines of everyday life they feel as though they have no other choice but to return to crime.
what did besemer find?
a longitudinal study delinquents born from the age of 9-50 found that having a parent in prison was the strongest predictor of their child also going to prison, and was thought to be due to labelling by police and society.
weakness?
doesn’t take into consideration biological explanations and is therefore reductionist.
