Interactionist theory of crime

Question 1

What do interactionist theories focus on?

Answer 1

How people interact with each other and how this affects criminal behaviour

Question 2

Summarise Becker’s labelling theory

Answer 2

Crime and crime statistics are socially constructed. People turn to crime due to being assigned labels (e.g. delinquent) then living up to those labels (self-fulfilling prophecy)

Question 3

Summarise Lemert’s theory of deviance

Answer 3

2 stages of deviance:
- Primary deviance = actions that aren’t labelled as deviant and you wouldn’t be sanctioned for (e.g. having 13 cats at home)
- Secondary deviance = actions labelled as deviant which you would be sanctioned for (e.g. a friend finding out you have 13 cats)

Question 4

What is a master status?

Answer 4

Lemert believed that when someone is labelled as deviant, this becomes their master status (main part of their identity) which leads to a self-fulfilling prophecy

Question 5

Explain Cohen’s moral panic theory

Answer 5

The media sensationalises crime and chooses certain groups as scapegoats for societies problems (‘Folk Devils’). This leads to a disproportionate public panic about crime

Question 6

Strengths of interactionist theories

Answer 6

• Shows how labels and stereotypes and lead people to crime
• Recognises social construction of crime
• Highlights weaknesses of official statistics
• Shows impact of media

Question 7

Weaknesses of interactionist theories

Answer 7

• Doesn’t explain why people who haven’t been labelled commit crime (e.g. a rich white collar criminal)
• Victimises criminals, ignoring the victims of crime
• Some people reject labels and it doesn’t lead to a master status/self-fulfilling prophecy