Labelling Theory

Question 1

What is Labelling Theory?

Answer 1

• The application of a label or identity to a person or group in a way that has some consequential effect on behaviour
• Focus is on the social reaction to deviance -> how this reaction consists of the application of labels and the impact of labelling

Question 2

What is Symbolic Interactionism?

Answer 2

• Explains social behaviour in terms of how people interact with each other via symbols
• Human interaction undertaken with the aid of symbols -> things which can be used to signify others
• Symbols are not fixed -> can change over time
• We constantly monitor our actions and those of others to check that our understanding of things tallies with what it appears others assume

Question 3

What did Tannenbaum propose?

Answer 3

• “Tagging”
• The process of making the criminal is a process of tagging, defining, segregating etc which becomes a way of stimulating or evoking the very traits that are complained of -> the young person becomes the thing he is described as being

Question 4

What does conflict theory propose?

Answer 4

• Society is in a state of perceptual conflict because of competition for limited resources
• Social order is maintained by domination and power, rather than consensus and conformity
• Laws and norms reflect the interests of powerful members of society and suggests that who or what is labelled as deviant depends on who has the most powe

Question 5

What is stigma?

Answer 5

A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstances, quality or person

Question 6

What is stigmatisation?

Answer 6

The action of describing or regarding someone or something as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval

Question 7

What is self-fulfilling prophecy?

Answer 7

• Prediction of behaviour that prompts people to act in a way that makes the prediction come true
• Many offenders are falsely defined, not only is their behaviour defined as bad but their character too
• This leads to an enhanced likelihood that this will become that person’s master status or will promote behavioural choices e.g. who to hang with

Question 8

What is shaming?

Answer 8

Expressions of disapproval which have the intention or effect of evoking remorse

Question 9

What is disintegrative shaming?

Answer 9

Shaming that stigmatises and excludes the person being shamed, involves the labelling of the act and actor as well

Question 10

What is reintegrative shaming?

Answer 10

Social disapproval is followed by processes that seek to reintegrate the offender back into the community of law-abiding or respectable citizens through words or gestures of forgiveness or ceremonies to decertify the offender as “deviant”

Question 11

What is a strengths of labelling theory?

Answer 11

Profound effect on juvenile justice -> juveniles diversion programs away from formal criminal justice proceedings -> prevent the effect of labelling/stigmatisation -> juveniles were more likely to receive a caution

Question 12

What are some criticisms to labelling theory?

Answer 12

1. Tends to be preoccupied with secondary deviance and is relatively unconcerned with the causes of primary deviance
2. Tendency to ignore the circumstances under which people actively seek out a deviant label
3. Exaggerates the importance of societal reaction, implying without it deviance would not exist