Lec 8

Question 1

Symbolic Interactionism (3 basic premises)

Answer 1

People act toward objects in their lives according to meaning of those objects

The meanings of objects arise from interactions with other people

These meanings are applied and modified as individuals interpret particular situations

Question 2

Labelling Theory of Crime: Edwin Lemert

Answer 2

Deviance is not a quality of the act but the label others attach to it.

Crime is the consequence of social definition

Question 3

Two types of deviation

Answer 3

Primary deviation
Secondary deviation

Question 4

Primary deviation

Answer 4

The initial acts of deviance before deviance becomes a way of life

Individuals may “drift”-torn between deviant or conventional ways

Social control has failed for these people who instead seek honor from their peers in underground traditions

A “label” is successfully applied if it moves a person toward a deviant identity and career

Question 5

Secondary deviation

Answer 5

Deviance that results from the imposing of a label- it becomes a part of some ones identity

Question 6

Process of being labeled

Answer 6

A deviant process of negotiation

Depends on factors other than the individual’s behavior

Question 7

Master status

Answer 7

When a label is successfully applied

Leads to self-fulfilling prophesy

Question 8

Links Between Primary Deviance, Social reaction, and secondary deviance

Answer 8

Primary deviance leads to social reaction which leads to secondary deviance

Question 9

Criminal identity

Answer 9

A social category into which deviants are placed by other in the community in which they may place themselves.

Question 10

What might criminal identity lead to

Answer 10

Further criminal behavior especially if conventional bonds are weakened and deviant bonds are strengthened

Question 11

Deviance career

Answer 11

The passage of an individual through recognized stages in one or more related deviant identities

Question 12

Careers involve…

Answer 12

Adjustments to, and interpretations of, the contingencies and turning points encountered at each stage

Question 13

What is fundamental to having a deviant career

Answer 13

Labeling

Question 14

Moral rhetorics

Answer 14

Offenders’ subcultures used to justify deviant behavior by claiming it is morally right

Question 15

Rhetoric of egoism

Answer 15

Neutralizing stigma (eg. stealing from people who are greedy and immoral)

Question 16

Instrumental rhetoric

Answer 16

Justify their acts by stressing the cunning and power they can bring to bear against powerful people

Question 17

What do moral rhetorics do if successful

Answer 17

Reinforce deviant acts neutralize the “stigma” or negative social evaluation from deviance

Question 18

Moral entrepreneurs

Answer 18

People who advocate for new rules and laws or different enforcement of existing laws

Question 19

What do moral entrepreneurs do

Answer 19

Assert the existence of a particular condition or state of affairs
Define the condition as harmful or undesirable
Try to arouse support of the public

Question 20

Police reform campaign-Following the killing George Floyd

Answer 20

There has been campaigns for the defunding of police

Some extreme campaigners called for the abolition of the police

Question 21

George Floyd Justice In Policing Act 2021

Answer 21

Bill being passed by the House of Representatives in the US

Addresses police misconduct, excessive use of force, and racial bias in policing

Question 22

Labelling theory (Contribution)

Answer 22

Labelling ex-convicts by denying them jobs and community support leads to repeat of offense

Question 23

Labelling theory (Policy implication)

Answer 23

Reducing the amount of official labeling through diversion/decriminalization

Question 24

Diversion

Answer 24

Engaging deviants in productive community programs that does not label or discriminate against criminals

Question 25

Decriminalization

Answer 25

Less emphasis on criminalization

Question 26

Differential association theory-Edwin Sutherland

Answer 26

Crime is learned through learning acceptable behaviors

Learned in interaction with others

Question 27

Where does a significant part of learning occur

Answer 27

Within intimate personal groups

Question 28

Learning includes…

Answer 28

techniques of committing the crime and the directions of motives and drives

Question 29

The direction of motives and drives is learned from

Answer 29

The definition of legal codes as favorable or unfavorable

A person becomes a delinquent because of an excess of definitions favorable to the violation of the law

Question 30

Differential associations may vary in

Answer 30

Frequency, duration, priority, and intensity

Question 31

Criminal behavior is an expression of

Answer 31

The same general needs and values as non-criminal behaviors

Question 32

Differential association theory (Contribution)

Answer 32

Empirical evidence suggests good social and learning environments help prevent delinquency and crime among young people

Question 33

Differential association theory (Policy Implication)

Answer 33

Parents should impact good values in their children

Government should ensure that young people are productive and engaged in community development activities

Excluded individuals with subcultural values should be rehabilitated and brought back to the mainstream

Question 34

Interactionist Theories-Critiques

Answer 34

Fail to relate crime and deviance to the political and economic contexts/structures in which they occur

Both theories ignore the ability of people to redeem themselves or fight off negative social influences

Labelling theories view labels as interpretations and not as a cause of crime or deviance (thus is difficult to test or verify)

Labelling theory is more concerned with official labels and labels of the powerless members of society.