Interactionism: Labelling theory

Where does labelling theory stem from ?

Interactionism

What do labelling theorists argue ?

• Labelling theorists, like Becker argue that crime is a social construction

• He argues that individuals only become deviant when they are labelled as deviant by society.

Explain how the labelling theory can explain criminality.

• Once an act has been labelled as deviant, the person who commits this act is also viewed as deviant by society

• This becomes their master status meaning that the label they are given overshadows other parts of their identity + lack opportunities

• This leads to a self-fulfilling prophesy

What does a master status do to an indervidual?

• blocks opportunities for an individual, for example, job opportunities

Self-fulfilling prophesy ?

• They start to internalise the label given to them and act in ways that mirror it

How can social media contribute to labelling ?

• The media can label certain groups in society as deviant , which creates moral panic in society

• This makes those called deviant appear as folk devils

Folk devils

• A bad influence on society