Chapter 5 Flashcards
Is crime objective?
No it is subjective and the outcome of human interaction.
What era did labelling theory emerge in?
1960’s, era of disintegrated social order, youth culture, 2nd wave feminism, civil rights movement, sexual liberation.
What is the definition of crime?
Crime is defined by social action and reaction and by those with the power to label.
What is the focus of analysis?
Relationship between offender and those with the power to label.
What is the cause of crime?
Stigmatization and negative effects of labeling.
What is the nature of offender?
Nothing specific just someone identified as criminal by labelling process.
How do you prevent crime?
Decriminalize victimless and harmless crimes, practice radical non-intervention.
How are those without power disadvantaged in this theory?
They are more vulnerable to being labelled as deviant and then facing the subsequent negative effects.
What are some of the main impacts of labeling of offenders?
Stigmatization that can lead to taking on the role of criminal and fulfilling it (self prophecy).
People who have been labelled with seek the company of other criminally labelled people (and then be further immersed in criminality)
Young people who are labelled are very likely to embark on a life of crime.
How does it link to symbolic interactionist perspective in sociology?
The concepts of “self” and “symbol”, and how individual people react differently to social situations.
What is “looking glass self”?
Your image of yourself is what you see reflected in those around you.
People respond to situations by….?
Reading the symbols around them.
What are typifications?
The base of interaction.
What is the 1st step in communication? Why is it important?
Defining situations through interactions, because if both people don’t share the same definitions there can be miscommunication.
How is deviance subjective in this theory?
It depends on the reaction to the action. If it is defined as deviant and involves interaction with the justice system, then it is seen as deviant.
What is primary deviance? What are the causes?
It is the initial deviant behaviour that most people engage in at some point. This deviance is a passing event, experiences no formal reaction and does not change the identity of the offender. The causes are not explained with this theory.
What is secondary deviance?
When individuals engage in primary deviance but then face a formal reaction with the justice system. Then they are officially labelled and this changes their self-concept.
What are some contemporary applications of labelling theory?
Restorative justice, reintegrative shaming, and general processes of the juvenile criminal justice system.
What is cultural criminology’s view on labelling process? Who is behind it?
The labelling process can be part of motivation for people to engage in criminality because it is exciting and thrilling (sometimes because of the risk of being caught). Katz 1988
What is the focus of phenomenological theory?
Understanding why people do what they do.
What is crime according to phenomenological theory?
Interrelationship between meaning and emotion experienced by those involved.
According to phenomenological theory, how does control of social perspectives occur?
Through the media
How do cultural criminologists see crime?
Located within everyday events of subcultural expression and attempts by the crime control industry to control and manage those expressions.
What does loss of control in lives have to do with criminal activity?
When people lose control of certain aspects of their lives, they may engage in risky behaviour to try and reclaim some control.
