Interactionism and Labelling Theory Flashcards
(72 cards)
What does Becker mean by a “moral crusade”?
A movement by moral entrepreneurs to change laws or rules, creating new definitions of deviance.
How do labelling theorists explain “selective enforcement”?
Agents of control police certain groups more due to bias or stereotypes, not actual offence rates.
Why do interactionists stress the context in which acts occur?
Because an act may be labelled deviant in one setting but normal in another, showing deviance is not fixed.
How does the media’s portrayal of crime relate to labelling theory?
Media exaggeration can solidify deviant labels, fueling moral panics and reinforcing stereotypes.
What does Rosenhan’s “pseudo‐patient” experiment suggest about psychiatric labels?
Once labelled, normal behaviour may still be interpreted as pathological, illustrating label persistence.
What is “mortification of the self,” according to Goffman?
A process in total institutions where inmates lose personal identity, adopting the institution’s imposed role.
Why do labelling theorists argue official control can make deviance worse?
Negative labels isolate offenders, pushing them into deviant subcultures, strengthening deviant careers.
How can reintegrative shaming help reinstate offenders into society?
It denounces the act but shows acceptance for the offender, easing their transition back into normal roles.
What is the key criticism that labelling theory underplays serious social inequality?
It focuses on interaction and neglects how class, race, and power dynamics shape who gets labelled.
How do labelling theorists view “justice negotiations” in processes like plea bargains?
Middle‐class suspects often bargain successfully to reduce labels, while marginalised groups struggle more.
What do interactionists focus on when studying crime and deviance?
How social interactions shape definitions of deviance and how these labels affect those labelled.
What is meant by the ‘social construction’ of crime?
Crime is defined through social processes, with acts becoming criminal only when society labels them as such.
According to Becker, how do “moral entrepreneurs” influence law creation?
By campaigning for new rules to impose on others, thus creating ‘outsiders’ who break these rules.
Why is deviance said to be “in the eye of the beholder”?
No act is inherently deviant; it becomes deviant when people label it that way.
Which factors determine whether someone is arrested, charged, or convicted, per labelling theory?
Their interactions with social control agents, their appearance/background, and the context of the offence.
How do ‘typifications’ affect police decisions, according to Cicourel?
Officers use stereotypes of the “typical delinquent,” leading them to target certain groups more, reinforcing bias.
What did Cicourel find about middle‐class youths and justice outcomes?
They often negotiate more successfully due to parental support and not fitting the “typical delinquent” stereotype.
Why does Cicourel say crime stats should be treated as a topic, not a resource?
They don’t give a valid picture of crime but reveal how criminal justice agents label and process people.
What is the “dark figure” of crime?
The unknown, unreported, and unrecorded crime that official stats miss.
How do victim surveys/ self‐report studies differ from official stats?
They ask individuals directly about their offending/victimhood, revealing hidden crime—though they have their own limitations.
What do labelling theorists mean by “the effects of labelling”?
Once labelled, individuals may internalise the deviant identity, causing more deviance.
How does Lemert distinguish between primary and secondary deviance?
Primary deviance is minor rule‐breaking with little impact on identity; secondary deviance occurs after being publicly labelled, shaping self‐concept.
What is a ‘master status’?
A deviant label overriding all other identities—others see the person mainly in terms of that label.
How can master status provoke a “crisis” in one’s self‐concept?
The individual struggles to maintain their previous identity, possibly accepting the deviant label and acting accordingly.