Interactionism

What does interactionism refer to?

How people in society interact with one another

Who is a notable interactionist?

Howard Becker

What theory does Howard Becker use to explain criminality?

Labelling theory

How do interactionists view official statistics on crime?

Socially constructed

What do interactionists believe about crime?

It is a social construction

What is the argument Becker puts forward regarding crime?

Crime is a subjective concept

Who are considered agents of social control?

• Police

• Judges

What are the two types of deviance referred to by Edwin Lemert?

1. Primary deviance

2. Secondary deviance

What is primary deviance?

An act of deviance not socially labelled

What is secondary deviance?

An act that has been labelled as deviant

What happens when a person is labelled as deviant?

They start to view themselves as deviant

What is a 'master status' in the context of labelling?

A label that defines a person's identity

What is a self-fulfilling prophecy?

Internalising a label and acting accordingly

How does the media contribute to labelling?

By demonising labelled individuals

What is moral panic in society?

A heightened fear of deviant individuals

What are 'folk devils' in the context of labelling?

Individuals portrayed negatively by society

What is deviancy amplification?

It makes it harder for deviants to change

What is the impact of labelling on public opinion?

It can lead to stereotyping