Interactionism

Question 1

Summary

Answer 1

Concerned with how deviance is created by society

Question 2

Core

Answer 2

● Becker: No behaviour is naturally deviant—society decides
what’s deviant through labelling.
● Lemert:
○ Primary deviance is minor and often ignored.
○ Secondary deviance happens after someone is
labelled, which can lead to more serious deviance
and a “deviant career.”

Question 3

Expanded

Answer 3

● When someone is labelled as deviant, it can become their
master status (how others mainly see them).
● This can lead to a crisis of identity, and they may start to act
according to the label—this is a self-fulfilling prophecy

Question 4

Strength

Answer 4

➤ Exposes bias and
discrimination in law
enforcement
➤ Shows how labels can
lead to unfair treatment.

Question 5

Weaknesss

Answer 5

➤Deterministic
➤ Assumes people can’t
reject labels.
➤ Can’t explain initial cause
of crime.

Question 6

Policy

Answer 6

Restorative justice- making amends could change your label