Part 9 - Theories of social reaction, influence of symbolic interactionism, Lemert studies, Becker and labeling theory

Theories of social reaction (1960—>) general

“a copernican revolution” - a reaction against traditional criminology.

• crime only exists because there is a law that was created

• laws are created by the powerful in society to define behaviors of weaker subjects

Hence - deviance is created by society

Theories of social reactions - key ideas

• our actions = reactions to how other react/define us

• deviance is created by social powerful groups that controls the laws

• deviance arises from the label that these powerful groups apply on weaker subjects - its not something natural or inherent

Theories of social reaction - assumptions

• construction of delinquency by mechanisms of social control (crime = constructed)

• Independent variable vs dependent variable: crime described as a dependent variable - social control generates crime

• labels have massive impacts on peoples lives - risk of more deviance

• qualitative methodologies (observation) is the most appropriate way to study these lables

• conversion of individuals into delinquents - need to understand how someone becomes viewed + views themselves as delinquent.

Influences if symbolic interactionism (G. Mead) - general

people create meaning and build their identities through symbols and social interactions. - how we see ourselves and the world based on relationships with others. Our behavior depend on interactions/reactions from others

Influence of symbolic interactionism (G. Mead) explain how our behavior depend on reactions of others

Action - reaction - pro-reaction

• one individual performs an action,

• recieves a reaction from another individual (positive/negative)

• the first individual then acts based on that reaction

influnence of symbolic interactionism (mead) - definition of crime and deviance

reactive (not normative) - how justice system/individuals react

deviance:

• crime + deviation promotes negative social reactions - defines the individuals

  • definitions of crime vary (time, culture) - criminalization/decriminalization - no universal consensus

• criminal behavior is shaped by how individuals react to it

influence of symbolic interactionism (mead) - studies of self image

Self-definition and action

• people act based on the meanings they attribute to themselves (smart, cowardly)

• If labeled as deviant - they might act in alignment to that label (Vold)

• Cresseys findings; many criminals don’t lable themselves as deviant, their self-image is not in line with the societal label

influence of symbolic interactionism - Techniques of neutralization (Zykes & Matea) (5)

Delinquents justify their actions and reject the “criminal” label through:

1. denial of responsibility

2. denial of harm

3. denial of the victim

4. condemnation of the condemners (everyone commits such acts, not my fault but society’s fault)

5. Appeal to higher loyalties - justifies behavior

Lemert’s studies (1967) - view on deviance

It’s not deviance that leads to social control, it’s social control that leads to deviance

• primary deviance

• secondary deviance

Lemert’s studies - explain primary deviance and secondary deviance

Primary:

• if someone breaks law/rule, not always notices (not deviant behavior). But if faced with negative reaction (if noticed) . labeled by others as deviant

Secondary:

• If someone is caught making criminal act + labeled as deviant, they might accept that label, and change how thet see themselves and act according to this new self image.

Society’s reaction to deviance can lead to more deviance!

Becker and labeling theory 1963 - role of the justice system

• role of the justice system in process of accepting deviant label

• criminal justice systems contributes through trials (ceremonies of degradation - can be informal social control as well)

• the individual must assume the role of the deviant in front of an audience

Becker and labeling theory 1963 - more about labels (4)

• Overlapping of the delinquent label - it overshadows all othe labels (regardless if good student, good parent etc)

• Public stereotypes

• Association with individuals with similar labels (can lead to recidivism)

• formal + informal control can enhance criminal behavior