Labelling Theories of Crime and Deviance

Social Construction

  • Social phenomena are created by society, not naturally occurring through evolution.

Relativity of Crime and Deviance (Becker)

  • Contextual: Nudity varies; acceptability depends on the situation.

  • Historical Period: Homosexuality and opium use have varied in acceptance over time.

  • Cultural: Drinking alcohol has different acceptance levels in Saudi Arabia and the UK.

  • Generational: Ideas of what is normal change between age groups.

Moral Entrepreneurs

  • Individuals who decide what is morally acceptable within society.

  • Examples include:

    • Ruling Class

    • Governments

    • Lawmakers

Labelling Process

  • Thinker: Lemert

    • Primary Deviance:

      • A person commits a deviant/criminal act that is unknown to others, so no label is attached.

    • Secondary Deviance:

      • The deviant act is witnessed, and a label is attached to the person committing the act.

Cicourel

  • Labelling leads to selective law enforcement and negotiation of justice.

  • When a group is labelled as deviant/criminal, the police are likely to focus on that group, reinforcing the stereotype.

  • Typifications: Common sense theories and stereotypes of what is a “typical criminal”.

Agencies of Social Control

  • Formal:

    • Police

    • Criminal Justice System

    • Courts

  • Informal:

    • Peers

    • Society

Consequences of Labelling

  • Self-fulfilling prophecy:

    • Once labelled as deviant, a person internalises the label and acts accordingly.

  • Deviancy Amplification:

    • Attempts to control deviance lead to greater amounts of that deviance.

      • Examples:

        • Stan Cohen’s Mods and Rockers

        • Jock Young’s study of cannabis smokers in Notting Hill

  • Master Status:

    • The individual is identified by a particular aspect, like being a criminal.

    • This can lead to a deviant or criminal career as the label prevents access to legitimate means of achieving social goals.

Evaluation of Labelling Theory

  • Strengths:

    • Emphasises the social construction of crime and deviance.

    • Identifies the role of the powerful in defining crime and deviance.

    • Shows how deviant careers can be established.

  • Limitations:

    • The deviant becomes the victim and is not to blame for the behaviour.

    • Deterministic (assumes labelling inevitably leads to deviance).

    • Doesn’t explain why people commit the original act of deviance.

    • Doesn't explain where stereotypes come from.