labelling theory

Question 1

what does labelling theory say crime is a result of

Answer 1

self fulfilling prophecy

Question 2

what 3 policies have labelling theory developed?

Answer 2

decriminalisation

diversion policies

reintegrative and disintegrative shaming

Question 3

explain decriminalisation in labelling theory:

Answer 3

decriminalising minor offences means fewer young people would be labelled as criminals
a criminal record can lead to secondary deviance or preventing them from getting jobs

Question 4

explain diversion polices in labelling theory:

Answer 4

aim to keep an offender out of justice system to avoid being labelled criminals

some are informal e.g police use discretion to not charge anyone
some are formal e.g requiring offender to attend anger management programme to avoid prosecution

Question 5

who identified the 2 types of shaming or labelling (disintegrative and reintegrative)?

Answer 5

Braithwaite

Question 6

what is disintegrative shaming?

Answer 6

where both the crime and the criminal are labelled as bad and the offender is excluded from society
this can push them into secondary deviance

Question 7

what is reintegrative shaming?

Answer 7

labels the crime but not the criminal

avoids stigmatising the offender as evil while still encouraging them to repent and encourage others to welcome them back into society

Question 8

are the labelling theory policies effective?

Answer 8

evidence shows they can deal with minor offences and young offenders successfully
by avoiding labels they avoid pushing individuals into a deviant career