Criminology Unit 2-Socialogical Theories (Interactionism)

What is Labelling Theory?

Labelling Theory is the idea that no act is deviant or criminal until they are labelled as criminal or deviant.

What is an example of Labelling Theory?

Cannabis use is only considered illegal because it is labelled as illegal. In Canada, cannabis use is legal where as in the UK, it is illegal.

Describe Labelling Theory in law enforcement.

Certain agencies, such as the police, label certain groups as criminals. This results in differential enforcement where the law is enforced more against a certain group (black men are 9 times more likely to be searched than white men)

Describe self fulfilling prophecies in Labelling Theory.

Lemert said labelling is the cause of crime and deviance. People who get labelled as such are encourages to conform to this label

What are Lemert’s two types of deviance?

Primary and Secondary

What is Primary Deviance?

Trivial acts which may go unnoticed as they have not been publicly labelled. Those who do this often don’t see themselves as criminals.

What is Secondary Deviance?

Deviance which may happen as a result of labelling. People treat someone labelled as criminal or deviant differently. The label has become a controlling part of their identity.

Describe Deviance Amplification Spirals in Labelling Theory.

Groups that are labelled as criminal or deviant are cracked down on more which results in more deviance taking place.

Describe Interactionism and crime statistics

Interactionists reject the use of police statistics as they are a measure of ‘what the police do rather than what criminals do’. They argue that because the police focus on certain groups, the statistics produced are a social construction.