Labelling Theories Flashcards
(13 cards)
Give an example of relativity in crime and deviance. BECKER
Historical Period: Homosexuality and opium use were once criminalized but are now decriminalized in many places.
Cultural: Drinking alcohol is normal in the UK but prohibited in Saudi Arabia.
Generational: Ideas of normalcy differ between age groups, such as views on youth behavior.
Contextual— nudity
Who are moral entrepreneurs?
Moral entrepreneurs are individuals or groups that define what is morally acceptable in society, such as:
Ruling class
Governments
Law Makers
Who are agencies of social control?
Agencies of social control enforce social norms and laws:
Formal: Police, Criminal Justice System (CJS), Courts
Informal: Peers, Society at large
What is primary deviance? (Lemert)
deviant acts that have not been publicly labelled as criminal..
What is the “Relativity of Crime and Deviance” (Becker)?
Crime and deviance are not universal but are relative to the context in which they occur, such as historical period, culture, and generation.
What is secondary deviance? (Lemert)
Secondary deviance occurs when the deviant act is witnessed, and the individual is labeled as deviant, leading to further deviant behavior
What does Cicourel say about labelling?
Cicourel argues that labelling leads to selective law enforcement, where the police focus on groups that are stereotyped as deviant or criminal, reinforcing those stereotypes.
What are typifications?
Typifications are common sense theories or stereotypes about what a “typical criminal” looks like, which influence police and law enforcement action
What is the self-fulfilling prophecy in relation to labelling? consequence
Once a person is labeled as deviant, they may begin to act in accordance with that label, thus fulfilling the expectation of being deviant.
What is deviance amplification? consequence
If a moral entrepreneur changes the public perception on a particular act from primary to secondary it could lead to further crime.
Stan Cohen’s study of Mods and Rockers.
Jock Young’s study of cannabis smokers in Notting Hill.
What is “Master Status”? consequence
Master status is when an individual is defined by a particular characteristic (e.g., being a criminal), which affects how they are treated by society. This can lead to a deviant or criminal career.
What are the strengths of the labelling theory?
Emphasizes the social construction of crime and deviance.
Reveals the role of the powerful in defining crime and deviance.
Shows how deviant careers can be formed.
What are the limitations of the labelling theory?
It can make the deviant the victim and avoid assigning blame.
It is deterministic, implying that labels will always lead to deviance.
It doesn’t explain why people commit the original deviant act.
It doesn’t explain the origin of stereotypes.
