Labelling Theory Flashcards
(38 cards)
What are labelling theorists also known as?
Interactionists
What does the labelling theory argue that the other theories have been mistaken to assume?
That lawbreakers = somehow different from law abiding
Suggests that instead most people commit deviant/ criminal acts but only some get caught + stigmatised for it
Therefore pointless trying to search for differences between deviants + non-deviants
Should instead focus on understanding the reaction + definition of deviance rather than causes
What does the labelling theory argue that our focus should be on?
Focus on understanding the reaction + definition of deviance rather than on the cause of the initial act
Most interested in who gets the label
When does Becker argue that an acts becomes deviant?
Only becomes deviant when others perceive + define it as such
Whether deviant’s label = applied will depend on societal reaction
Becker calls groups who have the power to create/ enforce + impose definitions, MORAL ENTREPRENEURS
e.g. the mass media/ police
What does Becker argue about the way the police operate?
Operate with pre-existing conceptions + stereotypical categories of what constitutes ‘trouble’
e.g. criminal types, criminal areas etc.
These macros influence their response to behaviour they encounter
Therefore action taken = reflection of stereotypes police hold NOT reality
How does Becker define deviance?
“Deviancy isn’t the quality of the act a person commits but rather a consequence of the application by others rules and sanctions to an ‘offender’
Deviant behaviour is behaviour that people so label”
What does Becker argue are the effects of being labelled as a deviant/ criminal?
Person will eventually come to see themselves as being so (SFP)
Uses term MASTER STATUS to describe the process
Once label = successfully applied, their other qualities become unimportant
Could lead to DEVIANT CAREER
What did Becker mean by the term ‘deviant career’?
All the stages in the process of a person taking on (or not) the self-image of the deviant they have been labelled as
Give 2 criticisms of Becker work
- Process of being labelled = negotiable, label can be rejected (Reiss 1961 - male prostitutes)
- Marxists: faile sto esanime linka between labelling process + capitalism
How could Reiss’ (1961) be used to criticise Beckers work?
His study of young male prostitutes
Although they has sex with other men, regarded it as work
Maintained an image of themselves as being ‘straight’
Suggest Becker = too deterministic in assuming once labelled, a deviant career = inevitable
Who’s work did Braithwaite (1989) build on?
Becker’s
When did Braithwaite write?
1989
What are the 2 types of shaming available in the CJS according to Braithwaite (1989)?
- Disintegrative shaming (most commonly used)
2. Re-intergrative shaming
Describe Braithwaite’s concept of disintegrative shaming
Most commonly used
Replacing the offender’s usual set of statues (e.g. mother, son, worker) with master status of ‘criminal/ ex-con’
Shapes future interactions for that person
Essentially excludes them from ‘normal’ S
According to Braithwaite, can disintegrative shaming be replaced?
Describe how
Yes, with re-integrative shaming
In which the deviant act = shamed rather than individual who commits it
Describe Braithwaite’s concept of re-integrative shaming
Replaces disintegrative shaming
Deviant act = shamed rather than individual who commits it
Notion of ‘bad person’ = abandoned along with master status
Could be used as part of restorative justice (offender + V meet + talk)
= easier for V, offender + community to separate offender from act + to forgive
Making it easier for them to re-integrate into mainstream S
If not -vely labelled/ discriminate against, could prevent further crimes
When did Lemert write?
1972
What does Lemert (1972) distinguish between?
Primary + secondary deviance
Describe Lemert’s (1972) concept of primary deviance
Deviance that hasn’t been publicly labelled as such
e.g. people may break traffic laws, steal stationary from school/ work, use illegal drugs
This has few consequences for the person, so long as no one knows about it
Describe Lemert’s (1972) concept of secondary deviance
Once offender = discovered, publicly exposed + label of ‘deviance’ = attached, then 2ndary deviance may occur
e.g. stigma attached to people who download child pornography
IT’S THE REACTION TO THE ACTION
Describe Lemert’s study
Studied Inuits of Canada
Had long rooted problem of chronic stuttering/ stammering
Lemert suggested problem = ‘caused’ by the great importance attached to ceremonial speech-making
Failure to speak well = great humiliation
Children with any sort of speech impediment became conscious of parents anxiety
Led to chronic stuttering problems
Why does Durkheim disagrees with Lemert and argues that it IS beneficial to ID primary deviance?
If we know about the crime it can:
- Strengthen n+v - boundary management
- Acts as a warning device
What are 3 criticisms of Lemert’s work?
- Durkheim - ID primary deviance = beneficial
- Some people may be more law-abiding after being caught committing primary deviance (SNP/ prison = deferent)
- Doesn’t explain why primary deviance = caught in the 1st place OR how to prevent it
What did Cicourel (1968) discovered influenced police officers decisions to arrest?
Officers' typifications led them to concentrate on certain 'types' Resulted in law enforcement showing a class bias Leads police to patrol wc areas more intensively - more arrests, confirming their stereotype
