Becoming a Marihuana User

Becker, H. S. (1953). Becoming a Marihuana User. American Journal of Sociology, 59(3), 235–242. JSTOR - Journal Storage. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2771989

Observations and ethnography as qualitative tools are done through repeatedly analysing and viewing a certain scenario and situation over time to see the impact that one thing has on another. Howard S. Becker explores this effect through discussing the consequences of marijuana use when becoming a marijuana user. Becker presents two approaches into understanding effects on behaviour:

→ A behaviour that is being exhibited is the result of a trait (possibly genetically) that motivates, conditions, or predisposes said person to acting out that behaviour

OR

→ A behaviour that is being exhibited is the result of sequenced, continuous, adjacent social experiences that mould the person’s way of thinking, justification, and understanding of that behaviour, including the certain structures that make doing that behaviour possible and attractive to engage in.

It is noted that not any product or drug is addicting in itself; it only becomes addictive when the person subjecting themselves to it finds pleasure in consuming and acting out that behaviour. Some may consume drugs recreationally where no addiction is present and can stop at any time and some may consume drugs addictively due to the way they find pleasure in it.

As Becker conducted these interviews, it was ensured that participants from different classes, cultures, and social backgrounds were considered so a full scope of data could be collected. When conducting observational research and exploring the ethnography of a certain group, culture, community, or society, it is important that as many voices are heard so representation of the research data is valid. However, Becker states that his explanation of the order of changes in one’s attitude towards marijuana is one that “may be considered as an explanation for all cases of marihuana use for pleasure.” I disagree with that statement as no research is the final word on the topic, rather its a stepping stone in expanding the knowledge we have now and allowing for more research to be done upon it.

Observational research through qualitative methods often reveals a pattern or sequence of events regarding the changes in attitudes and behaviour. When studying a group of people, these patterns arise and can be used as a generalised explanation to give reason and justify their resulting behaviour. Much like observational learning (as a psychological term) where one copies another to learn, observational research is dependent on the researcher analysing and taking note of the practices done by the interviewee in order to gain an understanding.