Cicourel

Who is Aaron Ciccourel?

• He examined reactions to deviant behaviours in different areas of California

• Found the middle class were able to ‘negotiate the justice system’ better than the working class

• Impacts of stereotypes on police officers, juvenile officers and others in the justice system

What is the negotiation of justice?

• While there were similar rates of delinquency in different areas, Cicourel found more consistent in ‘bad areas’

• In these areas, delinquents were more likely to be arrested and charged with offences

• These were low-income areas with occupations in the lower strata of American society

What is a typical delinquent?

• In low-income areas, those arrested were more likely to fit into an image of a ‘typical delinquent’

• Both police officers and juvenile officers judged language, appearance, and attitude to be consistent with their image of delinquent

What is youthful high spirits?

• In middle-class areas, parents were able to convince those in the justice system that their child was ‘having a tough time’ and had a bright future

• The police were convinced parents could deal with the situation themselves, so they were less likely to be charged

• Reflected lower rates of middle-class delinquency

What is the case study to do with Cicourel?

• Brock Turner was found guilty of sexually assaulting a girl at Stanford University

• Her parents stood up in court and suggested his life should not be ruined for ‘20 minutes of action

• He received a 6-month sentence which he attempted to appeal (the maximum sentence was 14 years)

What are the evaluations of Cicourel?

• Evidence for different rates of offending by social class by ethnic group

• The assumption that all members of justice label delinquents in the same way

• Offers limited explanations of why crimes were committed in the first place