Chapter 5

Page 1

Introduction

• Overview of the chapter on Social Interactionist Theories of Delinquency.

Page 2

Social Interactionist Theories

• Four perspectives explained under social interactionist theories derive power from interactions between social groups and individuals.

Page 3

Labeling Theory

• Also known as interactional theory or social reaction perspective.

• Premise: Society brands individuals as deviants when apprehended, affecting their identity and behavior.

• Emphasis on social audience responses to norm violations leading to deviant involvement.

Page 4

Dramatization of Evil (1 of 2)

• Tannenbaum: Analyzed the process of labeling juveniles as different upon arrest.

• Hypothesis: Labeling affects justice system treatment and the individual's self-perception.

Page 5

Dramatization of Evil (2 of 2)

• The labeling process involves tagging, defining, and emphasizing deviance.

• The less dramatized the evil, the lesser chance youths will engage in deviance.

Page 6

Primary and Secondary Deviation (1 of 3)

• Lemert's focus: Interaction between social control agents and rule violators.

• Primary Deviation: The behavior of the individual.

• Secondary Deviation: Society's reaction to the behavior.

Page 7

Primary and Secondary Deviation (2 of 3)

• Social reaction to deviance (disapproval or stigmatization) is crucial to understanding deviance development.

• Social Reaction: Summarizes moral indignation and actions towards deviance.

Page 8

Primary and Secondary Deviation (3 of 3)

• Social reaction also implies organizational responses, influencing the deviant's behavior through treatment or punishment.

Page 9

Deviant Careers

• Social groups construct deviance by defining rules and labeling individuals as outsiders.

• Deviance isn't inherent to the act but a result of societal rules.

• Labeled individuals become outsiders with a new social identity.

Page 10

Figure 5-1 General Assumptions of Labeling Theory

• Representation of different influences on delinquent behavior and self-image based on labeling.

Page 11

The Juvenile Justice Process and Labeling (1 of 2)

• Edwin Schur: Many delinquent acts are minor; unnecessary punishment can exacerbate situations.

• Arrest leads to stereotyping and deeper involvement in the justice system.

Page 12

The Juvenile Justice Process and Labeling (2 of 2)

• Schur advocates for radical nonintervention-policy to leave youths alone as much as possible.

Page 13

Table 5–1 Summary of Labeling Theory (1 of 2)

• Tannenbaum: Youths processed, labeled, seen as different; leads to deviancy.

  • Introduced labeling concept.

• Lemert: Focused on identity changes and primary/secondary deviations; significant role but overlooks secondary deviations.

• Becker: Explained the relationship between societal rules and outsider status.

Page 14

Table 5–1 Summary of Labeling Theory (2 of 2)

• Schur: More formal processing increases likelihood of deviant behavior; supported by research.

• Triplett and Jarjoura: Examined formal/informal labelling effects; expanded understanding but neglected secondary deviations.

Page 15

Conflict Theory

• Defines social control as resulting from unequal economic/political power distribution.

• Laws viewed as tools for powerful to maintain control.

Page 16

Socioeconomic Class and Radical Criminology (1 of 2)

• Radical criminology connects Marx's views on societal structure and change.

• Split between bourgeoisie and proletariat under capitalism leads to class conflict.

Page 17

Socioeconomic Class and Radical Criminology (2 of 2)

• Bourgeoisie's control over wealth leads to proletariat oppression.

• Crime arises from poverty and disenfranchisement fostered by capitalism.

Page 18

Power and Authority Relationships

• Conflict criminology emphasizes power dynamics.

• Weber's framework includes economic context, power, and prestige in social hierarchy formation.

Page 19

Power-Control Thesis

• Gender delinquency linked to familial power dynamics; fathers' control affects boys and girls differently.

• Authority at work influences paternal control in households.

Page 20

Theory of Differential Oppression

• Children's oppression by adults as a foundational social dynamic.

• Authority misuse leads to childhood adaptation to adult norms; children experience varied degrees of oppression.

Page 21

Group and Culture Conflicts (1 of 2)

• Culture conflict theorists Sellin and Vold argue for norms understanding to grasp crime causes.

• Individual conduct norms across different social groups influence crime reactions.

Page 22

Group and Culture Conflicts (2 of 2)

• Primary culture conflict arises from interactions lacking normative compatibility.

• Secondary culture conflict occurs within societies with diverging subcultures.

Page 23

Table 5–2 Comparisons of Conflict Perspectives

• Summarizes varying legal definitions and purposes of conflict across different perspectives (Marxist, power relationship, culture conflict).

Page 24

Restorative Justice and Peacemaking

• Focus on teaching empathy in youthful offenders via feedback and validated relationships.

Page 25

Restorative Justice

• Framework for community reestablishing bonds with youth; emphasizes inherent value in everyone.

Page 26

Community Conferencing and Sentencing Circles

• Community conferences allow direct engagement between victims, youths, and community to address offenses.

• Process includes healing circles followed by collective determination of actions through a sentencing circle.

Page 27

Exhibit 5–1 Restorative Justice and Related Treatment Interventions (1 of 2)

• Overview of restorative justice interventions encompassing community conferencing, treatment options for offenders, and family group models.

Page 28

Exhibit 5–1 Restorative Justice and Related Treatment Interventions (2 of 2)

• Continued focus on reparations, restitution, and victim-offender reconciliation programs.

Page 29

Figure 5–2 Restorative Justice Practices by State, 2022

• Visual representation of restorative justice applications across various states.

Page 30

Delinquency and Social Policy: The Conflict Perspective (1 of 2)

• Conflict perspective insights on addressing youth crime stressing human rights, influences of societal constructs on juvenile potential.

Page 31

Delinquency and Social Policy: The Conflict Perspective (2 of 2)

• Notion of social injustice within juvenile systems; disparities in treatment between socio-economic classes.

Page 32

Figure 5–3 Contributions of Conflict Perspective to Social Policy

• Summarizes contributions made by conflict theory to social policy.

Page 33

Copyright Notice

• Legal implications and restrictions concerning the dissemination of the text.