Social theories Part B

Question 1

Labelling - Howard Becker

Answer 1

Deviance is the result of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an offender.
The deviant is one who the label has been successfully applied.

Question 2

Developing a deviant identity

Answer 2

Primary deviance: (Lemert)
Engage in an act the participant may not consider deviant.
No social interaction
But repeated or more serious acts attracts reactions.
Leads to stigmatisation.

Question 3

Developing a secondary deviant identity

Answer 3

internalisation of the label, you conform to the label society has ascribed to you.
There is anger at society for labelling as deviant.

Question 4

Deviancy amplification - Wilkins

Answer 4

spiral of deviance is fuelled by the media and law.

minor deviance starts to get reported and the public start to glamorise the label or become fearful of the group.

Question 5

Radical non- interventionsim

Answer 5

Schur’s concern about labelling of children as deviant. This branding implies they are fundamentally different to others.

Question 6

Criticism of the interactionist approach

Answer 6

Motivations for primary deviance are overlooked.
Focuses of deviance not serious crimes.
Had to prove the theory empirically.
Deterministic as reactions are the cause of crime.

Question 7

Hirschi’s social bond theory

Answer 7

attachment - sensitive to the opinions of others, internalisation of social norms lies in relations.
Commitment - people invest time and energy into conventional behaviour.
Involvement - engrossment in conventional activities keeps a person too busy to find time to engage in deviance.
Belief - people belief they should obey the rules of society.

Question 8

Hirschi’s findings

Answer 8

Boys who were more attached to their parents were less likely to be delinquent.
Youths with large stacks in conformity are unlikely to have delinquent friends.

Question 9

Critiques of social bond theory

Answer 9

Not clear which comes first weak attachment or delinquency.
doesn’t explain attachment to deviant others.
Are offenders actually dismissive of social norms.

Question 10

Critiques of the interactionist perspective

Answer 10

The motivations for primary deviance are overlooked.
Its hard to prove the theory empirically.
Just as deterministic as sociological positivism.

Question 11

Grottfredson and Hirschi general theory of crime.

Answer 11

Crime was he result of the inability to resist instant gratification.
Develops in the early life of a child
childhood socialisation by our parents shapes self control.
Weak self control isn’t due to biology.
Differences established in childhood.