Lec 8 Flashcards
(34 cards)
Symbolic Interactionism (3 basic premises)
People act toward objects in their lives according to meaning of those objects
The meanings of objects arise from interactions with other people
These meanings are applied and modified as individuals interpret particular situations
Labelling Theory of Crime: Edwin Lemert
Deviance is not a quality of the act but the label others attach to it.
Crime is the consequence of social definition
Two types of deviation
Primary deviation
Secondary deviation
Primary deviation
The initial acts of deviance before deviance becomes a way of life
Individuals may “drift”-torn between deviant or conventional ways
Social control has failed for these people who instead seek honor from their peers in underground traditions
A “label” is successfully applied if it moves a person toward a deviant identity and career
Secondary deviation
Deviance that results from the imposing of a label- it becomes a part of some ones identity
Process of being labeled
A deviant process of negotiation
Depends on factors other than the individual’s behavior
Master status
When a label is successfully applied
Leads to self-fulfilling prophesy
Links Between Primary Deviance, Social reaction, and secondary deviance
Primary deviance leads to social reaction which leads to secondary deviance
Criminal identity
A social category into which deviants are placed by other in the community in which they may place themselves.
What might criminal identity lead to
Further criminal behavior especially if conventional bonds are weakened and deviant bonds are strengthened
Deviance career
The passage of an individual through recognized stages in one or more related deviant identities
Careers involve…
Adjustments to, and interpretations of, the contingencies and turning points encountered at each stage
What is fundamental to having a deviant career
Labeling
Moral rhetorics
Offenders’ subcultures used to justify deviant behavior by claiming it is morally right
Rhetoric of egoism
Neutralizing stigma (eg. stealing from people who are greedy and immoral)
Instrumental rhetoric
Justify their acts by stressing the cunning and power they can bring to bear against powerful people
What do moral rhetorics do if successful
Reinforce deviant acts neutralize the “stigma” or negative social evaluation from deviance
Moral entrepreneurs
People who advocate for new rules and laws or different enforcement of existing laws
What do moral entrepreneurs do
Assert the existence of a particular condition or state of affairs
Define the condition as harmful or undesirable
Try to arouse support of the public
Police reform campaign-Following the killing George Floyd
There has been campaigns for the defunding of police
Some extreme campaigners called for the abolition of the police
George Floyd Justice In Policing Act 2021
Bill being passed by the House of Representatives in the US
Addresses police misconduct, excessive use of force, and racial bias in policing
Labelling theory (Contribution)
Labelling ex-convicts by denying them jobs and community support leads to repeat of offense
Labelling theory (Policy implication)
Reducing the amount of official labeling through diversion/decriminalization
Diversion
Engaging deviants in productive community programs that does not label or discriminate against criminals