Criminology Quiz #3

Labelling Theory

Labelling Theory

Rejects a focus on offenders, and focuses on the behavior of those who label and seek to control offenders. States that social control is the source of criminality.

Dramatization of Evil

Tannerbaum, 1938. States that distinguishing characteristics separate people and that people induce labels onto others as a result of distinguishing.

Status Degradation Ceremony

Garfinkel, 1958. Describes ceremonies that tag, define, and distinguish offenders (e.g. perp walks). The aim for this is radical nonintervention.

Primary Deviance

Deviance done by all people, disassociated from one’s self concept and identity.

Secondary Deviance

Deviance that becomes part of one’s identity, associated with self concept and identity.

Contemporary Labelling Theory

Includes; Matsuda (1992), Braithwaite (1989), Sherman (1993), and Manuna (2000).

Matsuda: Focus on Informal Sanctions

Where classic labelling theory focuses on formal, criminal sanctions, this focuses on informal sanctions. States that one perceives themselves in accordance with the perceptions of others.

Braithwaite: Focus on Reintegrative Shaming

States that not all societal reactions are equal. Punishment is a form of shaming, and shaming can be stigmatizing, and that can lead to maladaptive behaviors on the part of the offender. However, shaming can be reintegrative, and as such, we need to change the culture around punishment to contain less shame. Works under two specific societal conditions; interdependencies and a communitarian society.

Manuna: Making Good

As opposed to other labeling theories, identity (even criminal identity) varies throughout the life course and can thus change. To “make good” one must have a coherent, prosocial identity. Two prevailing narratives exist as to how to view oneself; a condemnation script and a redemption script.

Condemnation Script

Views oneself as a victim of circumstances, and has a vision of a good life, but no way to get there. Sees themselves as doomed to deviance, powerless to effect change in their own lives, sees themself as ensnared in crime, with no control over their destiny.

Redemption Script

Establishes the goodness of self, aims to “make good”, and recasts a harmful past in order to strive towards a productive life, which leads to a fear of the past self and not wanting to be that again. One holds core beliefs of a true self and is optimistic of personal control and desires to give back.

Critical Theory

States that crime is political. and the criminal justice system serves the interests of the affluent. Says capitalism is the root cause of criminal behavior, due to the deprivations of the poor and the fertile environment that is laid for the crimes of the powerful. The solution to crime is the creation of an equitable society, notably, democratic socialism.

Bonger’s Criminality and Economic Conditions

Inspired by Marx and applied Marxist thought to crime, particularly intra and inter-group relations between the proletariat and bourgeoisie. Stated that capitalism was criminogenic due to egoism, which led to sexual, violent, economic, and political crime.

Quinney’s Social Reality of Crime

Stated that capitalism exploits the working class, and class conflict is inherent to capitalism. Working-class crimes are in response to the indignities that they face under capitalism. In contrast, upper-class crimes are economic, denial of human rights, and exploiting the state in order to protect their interests. Due to this, socialism is the solution to crime.

Currey’s Crime in a Market Society

Stated “harsh” capitalism (which is in the U.S.) leads to exceptional crime rates. This is because harsh capitalism individualizes a person and removes social safety nets. Therefore, the solution to crime is to tone down capitalistic extremes.

Colvin’s Crime and Coercion

Four types of coercion in society lead to crime (or non-crime). These four are; non-coercive consistent control, non-coercive inconsistent control, coercive consistent control, and coercive inconsistent control. The most criminogenic of these is coercive inconsistent control.

Core Questions in Feminist Criminology

How can we explain female crime?

How can we explain the gender gap in crime?

What role does gender play in male crime generation?

Liberalization Hypothesis

Stated that equality in socialization and opportunity for women would lead to equality in crime rates. Supported by the massive rise of criminality of women from 1960-1972.

Adler’s Sisters in Crime

Stated that female offenders are not pathological, but a result of differences between males and females on a number of factors. Some of these were; strength, size, aggression, and social positions and roles occupied by men and women.

Radical Feminist Perspective:

Gender-specific, not gender-neutral. Place male-female relations at the center of its analysis, as well as the patriarchy. Stated that justice reinforces the patriarchy. Existing theories of crime cannot explain female crime according to this theory. Stated that the origins of female crime were; escaping male abuse, family and school settings, intersections of poverty and race, and officials’ reactions to female delinquency.

Messerschmidt’s Masculinities and Crime

Stated that many feminist theories ignored the relationship between masculinity and crime, as well as the variabilities within masculinity that can lead to different predispositions towards crime. Posited crime as a resource of masculinity. Since masculinity is accomplished and constructed within social situations, crime is often used as proof or defense of masculinity.

Theory of Race, Crime, and Urban Inequality

Known as the “racial invariance” thesis. States that extreme and concentrated disadvantage and social/spatial isolation alter the cultural landscape of cities. This creates ecologically-structured norms and standards within the communities where violence is not in itself valued, but it is tolerated.

Code of the Street

A street code that governs public interaction in disadvantaged, isolated neighborhoods, where violence is a quick way to gain respect.

The New Jim Crow

Book by Michelle Alexander. States that the criminal justice system is legalized racism. It uses control, disenfranchisement, and discrimination in order to uphold racism.

Collateral Consequences

Proposed by Todd Clear. States that families, the economy, and political structures are harmed through mass incarceration.

Perceived Discrimination

Unnever and Gabbidon, a theory of African American offending. A race-specific, not a general theory. Has a theoretical emphasis on the unique worldview of black people, where the unique mechanism is real and perceived discrimination. Compared to other racial groups, this theory posits that black people; perceive that they live in a world that is rigged against them, believe they will encounter racial prejudice and discrimination, and have a unique racial bias that informs their beliefs and behaviors. This worldview takes a mental and physical toll on black people, and one way to cope with this is racial socialization.