Labelling Theory - Causes of crime

Question 1

What are the 4 sociologists in the labelling theory for crime

Answer 1

Becker
Piliavin and Briar
Cicourel

Question 2

What does Becker say about criminality

Answer 2

No action is naturally deviant, it is only deviant if society labels it so
Deviance is not fixed
Deviance and criminality is socially constructed

Question 3

How does change in the law occur according to Becker

Answer 3

Moral entrepeneurs lead a moral crusade to change the law

Question 4

Who are less likely to be labelled as criminal according to Becker

Answer 4

Those in power
Not everyone who commits an offence is punished

Question 5

What do convictions, charges and arrest depend on according on Becker

Answer 5

Interactions - with agencies of social control such as the police and courts
Appearance - background and person bioography

Question 6

What did the Bartlett 2015 self-report survey of 2000 people show

Answer 6

The average British person broke the law 17 times per year

Question 7

What did Palarvin and Briar say about police

Answer 7

They make decisions to arrest youth for 3 things
-physical cues such as manner and dress
-suspects gender, class and ethnicity
-time and places

Question 8

Which type of people are arrested more according to labelling theorist

Answer 8

WC, male, black african youths

Question 9

How many times was a Black boy searched between ages 14-16

Answer 9

60 times

Question 10

What are Cicourels two main points

Answer 10

Typifications
The negotiation of justice

Question 11

What are typifcations - Cicourel

Answer 11

Stereotypes the police have about a ‘typical offender’

Question 12

How do police typifcation create crime

Answer 12

1) Police think WC are more criminal
2) They patrol WC areas
3) Therefore arrest more WC people
4) Confirms the stereotype that WC commit more crime (through stats for example)

Question 13

What is meant by the negotiation of justice

Answer 13

There are difference between how the police delt with WC and MC offenders
-MC parents are more able to successfully negotiate with the police
-MC youths less likely to be charged compared to WC youths
May link to pre-concieved ideas about WC delinquents and there parents

Question 14

What are two positives of Beckers labelling theory and crime

Answer 14

Helps understand social construction of crime and change over time and circumstance
Recognises high status individuals influencing these changes

Question 15

What are two positives of Cicourel and Palarvin + Briar

Answer 15

Raises issues on how police can abuse their power - discrimination of law enforcement
Helps understand lack of validity of crime stats (unlike positivists)