...Labelling theory and its theorists focus on the groups and/or individuals who were deemed to be criminal and labelled thus by society. Labelling theorists studied the various interactions between the ‘criminal' groups and individuals and the conformist society. Labeling theory was quite popular in the 1960s and early 1970s, but then fell into decline—partly as a result of the mixed results of empirical research. This essay will go on to show the origins of labelling theory, the theory itself and will show its strengths and weaknesses using various case-studies and examples. Tannenbaum (1938) is widely regarded as the first labelling theorist. His main concept was the ‘dramatization of evil'. He stated that if a person is described as being a criminal then he automatically becomes one. Erwin Lamert (1951) founded the “societal Reaction” theory. This theory is widely credited to be the forerunner of the present day labelling theory. His theory basically states that a person experiences social deviance in two phases. The first phase is known as the Primary deviance phase. The second is known as the Secondary deviance phase. According to Lemert, the primary deviance phase begins with a criminal act. He or she is then labelled criminal but has yet to accept the label. The main point of view is whether he or she has accepted the criminal label. If the person views themselves as a criminal then the secondary deviant phase has begun. The object of whether a person views himself or...
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...This highlights another weakness and/or con of the theory as not all of those who have been labelled resort to accepting a label and thus a life of crime. For most ‘offenders’ like Vusi, who was proven innocent or even those wrongly prosecuted, they would eventually want to continue with their lives without the critique and judgement from others who do not have a clear idea of the circumstances in their general lives. They would ideally choose to forget the ordeal. However, where there is a label and stigma in place; that proves to be difficult as they are constantly reminded of their so-called “wrong doing”. Employers favour those without any criminal records or history with the wrong side of the law” (Mingusa and Burchfield,...
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.... Effects of labeling on prosecution and society Probation officers are involved in supervising offenders that have been placed on probation by the courts. First time offenders who have been convicted of a crime are placed on probation rather than being sentenced to a prison term. The role of a probation officer is to monitor the behaviours of offenders so that they cannot engage in any further criminal activity. This is done by setting up regular meetings with the offenders and their family members. They work with other agencies that are community based to try and help offenders with a range of services such as employment, housing, and so on. A young offender is a young person that has been convicted or cautioned for a criminal offence. The criminal justice system often deals with young offenders to adult offenders. The term young offender is applied to different age group depending on the age of criminal responsibility. In the United Kingdom there are three separate and distinct criminal justice systems; in England and Wales the age set for young offenders is 10 years and in Scotland the age for criminal responsibility is set at 12 (need citation). II. In a study conducted by Brookins and Hirsch (2002) entitled “Innocence Lost: Case Studies of Children in the Juvenile Justice System” the two talks about how the juvenile justice system is ineffective in working with young juveniles in helping them integrate with their families and communities based on reports. They pointed...
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...Examine and asses the usefulness of a theory of crime and deviance in terms of explaining crime and or social problems in modern society. This essay is going to examine and asses the usefulness of labelling theory in our understanding of crime and social problems in modern society. This essay is going to firstly look at what labelling theory is and also look at the key writes that have influenced and help to develop the term labelling theory. The essay will then go on to look at empirical research that has been carried out such as Jock Young’s study of marijuana users and their experience of labelling which in turn led to further deviance and also different examples that will help illustrate the key points being put forward in the essay. Finally it will look at some of the criticisms labelling theorists face. This essay will draw information from academic books, websites and articles to illustrate and support the points of few being put forward in the essay. Interactionist generally sees society from the point of view of individuals. They believe that individuals are creative free thinking people who are able to choose their own behaviour and the also believe that behaviour is self-directed based on the interactions we have with one another. The labelling views on deviance is generally grounded in what is now known as labelling theory which emerged in the 1960’s from the work of American sociologist Howard Becker. Labelling theorists are mainly concerned with how and why certain...
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...Outline labelling theory and consider its usefulness in explaining crime and deviance. Labelling theory claims that deviance and conformity results not so much from what people do but from how others respond to those actions, it highlights social responses to crime and deviance. Macionis and Plummer, (2005) said deviant behaviour is therefore socially constructed. The labelling theory is used as a sociological theory of crime influential in challenging positivity criminology. The key people to this theory were Becker and Lement. The foundations of this view of deviance are said to have been first established by Lement, (1951) and were subsequently developed by Becker, (1963).As a matter of fact the labelling theory has subsequently become a dominant example in the explanation of deviance. The symbolic interaction perspective was extremely active in the early foundations of the labelling theory. The labelling theory is constituted by the assumption that deviant behaviour is to be seen not simply as the violation of a norm but as any behaviour which is successfully defined or labelled as deviant. Deviance is not the act itself but the response others give to that act which means deviance is in the eyes of the beholder. Actually the labelling theory was built on Becker, (1963:9) statement that "Social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitute deviance, and by applying those rules to particular people and labelling them as outsiders----deviance is...
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...confinement in Grand Valley Institution for Women in 2007. Smith was being supervised by prison guards at this time who were given orders not to intervene even though they saw Ms. Smith attempting to commit suicide. After her successful attempt, Ms. Smith was the headline of many major news stations, all of which painted Ms. Smith to be a “troubled” and “disturbed” young woman. This paper will discuss how the labelling theory causes stereotypes that are deeply rooted into our history and maintained today through mass media. I will be using this theory to show how one’s basic human rights can be stripped and justified by Canadian Law in the name of security. I will be using...
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...January 2012 Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess the usefulness of labelling theory in explaining crime and deviance. (21 marks) The Labelling theory plays a major role in explaining crime and deviance. It implies how actions become labelled as criminal or deviant in society and how its only deemed as such labels when society says it is. Since the early 1950s, one group of sociologists influenced by symbolic interactionism, questioned the approach that there is a difference from those who offend and those who do not, the sociologists argue that most people commit deviant and criminal acts, but only some people are caught and stigmatized for it, therefore it is pointless trying to search for the differences between deviants and non-deviants, instead, the stress should be on the reaction to and definition of deviance. “Deviant behaviour is behaviour that people so label” - Becker (1963). However, labelling theorists have also been criticized for presenting deviants as perfectly normal people and not acknowledging that there has to be a reason for the label to be placed on them. In 'The Outsiders', Becker gives a clear and simple illustration of the labelling argument, drawing up an anthropological study by Malinowski (1948/1982) of tradtional culture on a pacific Island, describing how a youth killed himself because he had been publicly accused of incest. On Malinowski's first inquiry about the case he saw the islanders digust on the situation however, on further...
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...Labelling Theory Intro: * Most approaches – except Marxism – accept difference between those who offend and those who don’t * One group – influenced by symbolic interactionism – questioned this approach – mistaken in assumption that lawbreakers are different from law abiding * Most people commit deviant or criminal acts – only some caught and stigmatized for it * Unique theories – as argues pointless trying to search for differences between deviants and non-deviants – stress should be upon understanding the reaction to, and definition of, deviance rather than on the cause of the initial act Becker: * No act is criminal or deviant until it has been labelled such by others * Criminal act in itself isn’t important – social reaction to act is * Agrees CD socially constructed * Becker studies – being labelled as deviant can have important consequences for persons identity * If label successfully applied – negative label becomes master status – cancels out any other statuses that indiv. has * Can result in excluding indiv from different social activities e.g. work and other mainstream society – left to find support with others in similar situations * Likely to reinforce deviant lifestyle – leading to dev of further deviant acts and career * Could ultimately lead to the creation of deviant subcultures * However – criticisms – fails to explain why people commit crimes and completely neglects power and social structure – cant...
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...evaluate one other explanation of criminal/anti-social behaviour. (12) * One other explanation for criminal behaviour is labelling and the self-fulfilling prophecy. Labelling theory states that criminal or anti-social behaviour is a consequence of the application of a criminal label given to the individual by others around them. * This explanation has four main stages. Firstly, a label is assigned to the individual by others around them; such labels are derived from stereotypes. For example, hoody wearers being labelled as troublemakers because of their physical appearance. * Secondly, the labelled individual will be treated according to their label by others around them. For example, if a crime such as graffiti occurs and a hoody wearer is nearby they will be blamed because their label is of a troublemaker. * Thirdly, the labelled individual reacts by starting to believe their assigned label. As a reaction to constantly being treated differently, the hoody wearer starts to believe that they are a bad person. * Finally, this results in the labelled individual behaving in line with the expectations of those around them which confirms the label. For example, the hoody wearer engages in criminal behaviour therefore a self-fulfilling prophecy (SFP) has occurred whereby the label has become true. * One example to illustrate how labelling and the self-fulfilling prophecy occurs is the naming of boys in the Ashanti tribe according to the day of the week they are born...
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...schools, the family and religion are there to encourage you to conform. They argue that white collar crimes (which tend to be committed by the more powerful in society) are ignored, while crimes committed by the less powerful in society such as burglary and street crime are focussed on and seen as more serious. Marxists would also argue that different social classes are policed differently, with the working class heavily policed in the expectation that they will be more criminal and therefore raising the chances of their crimes being detected. Classical Marxists argue that this fundamental fact of exploitation provides the key to unlock the explanations for the workings of society. They believe there are 5 main elements that make up such a theory. In this essay I will be looking at the usefulness of the Marxist...
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...How does labelling theory affect crime and deviance in society? (21) In sociology's study of crime and deviance, basically all of the theorists, excluding notably the Marxist theory, suggest that there is a difference between those who offend and those who do not, and search for key factors that lead people to offend. However, there are a group of theorists who reject this idea and instead suggest that most people commit deviant and criminal acts, but only some people are caught and stigmatised for it and that stress should be placed upon understanding the reaction to and definition of deviance rather than on the causes of the initial act. Although the labelling theory is quite prominent in the study of crime and deviance, there are still criticisers who both give valid accounts to why this theory should or shouldn't be taken as a valid theory. Firstly, Becker, one of the exponents of the labelling theory, who states that "Deviancy is not a quality of the act a person commits but rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an offender. Deviant behaviour is behaviour that people so label." The study was of a traditional culture on a Pacific Island conducted by Malinowski which describes how a youth killed himself because he had been publically accused of incest. When first asked about incest, the islanders had retorted in disgust, but when pressed on the matter, it was revealed that many had committed acts of incest and that it was not...
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...Cylinder Labeling and Storage 18 July 2014 In order to eliminate confusion and standardize the process, some guidelines for labeling and storing cylinders are below: Cylinders should be labeled with the entire Cylinder Set ID AND the date they are to be broken. An example of the Cylinder Set ID is: 1 RW09 AA – B 08JUL14 Where the first field is the Section number (1, 2, or 3), the second is the Structure, the third the concrete class (A, AA, DT51, 5545, GROUT, P, DT61, M), the fourth the set designation (A, B, C, ……) and the fifth the date the concrete was placed. The date placed is important because if the cylinder happens to be stored in a date that it should not be in the cure room, the person breaking cylinders can quickly check to find the proper set. The reason to put the date they will be broken is obvious. When labeling a 56 day cylinder, put both the 28 day and the 56 day break dates on the cylinder. For example, using the cylinder set from the example above, the 28 day cylinder would have 08/06 written on it and the 56 day would have 08/06 or 09/03 written on it. Here is a picture cylinders labeled in this manner, in two different configurations: These cylinders would be from Section 1, Structure RW10, Concrete Class A, Set A, Made on August 10, 2014, and to be broken September 7. Our designated primary concrete breaking person, Steve Grider, prefers that the 56 days and 28 days for a particular set be placed as close to each other as they can be...
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...Evaluate the usefulness of labelling theory to our understanding of crime and deviance (40 marks) Synopticity – Crime & Deviance and Theory Labelling theorists such as Becker and Lemert argue that because of the diversity of different values in society, there can never be a universally agreed definition of what constitutes ‘normal’ or ‘deviant behaviour’. What is deviant for one person may not be deviant for another. Labelling theorists argue that social reactions means labels are attached to certain people. For example, studies of the media by Cohen, Young etc. indicate that media social reaction may result in groups such as gays being labelled folk devils (such as aids carriers etc.). Fundamental to labelling’s traditional belief is that negative social reaction, in the form of labelling, causes an actor to become one with the deviant activity placed upon him, and, in many cases, leads to development of further deviance. Theorists believe that the stigma people feel from this labelling propels them toward, instead of away from, future deviance. Lemert made a distinction between Primary deviance and Secondary Deviance that labelling truly acquire prominence. Primary Deviance refers to an individual committing any norm-violating behaviour, usually without personal or social consequences. Secondary Deviation is deviant behaviour generated when one is placed in a deviant social role as a result of negative social reactions – having been processed and labelled as deviant...
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...and elsewhere, assess the usefulness of labelling theory in explaining crime and deviance’ (21 marks) Labelling theory is a micro approach that looks at how individuals construct society based on their interactions with each other (item). In terms of crime and deviance, labelling theory argues that most people commit deviant and criminal acts but only some are caught and stigmatised for it. So therefore, it is not useful to search for differences between ‘deviants’ and ‘non-deviants’ in society. Labelling theorists believe focus on crime should be understanding the reaction to and definition of deviance rather than the causes of the initial act. One labelling theorist, Becker, suggests the idea of crime as a social construct. He argues that an act only becomes deviant when it is defined as such by others, and that a criminal will only be labelled depending on society’s reaction to the crime. Becker argues that those people that have the power to create and impose their definitions on the rest of society such as the police are called moral entrepreneurs, reinforcing that crime and deviance is a construction of society. In addition to this, Becker argues that there is selective decisions as to whether to or how to deal with illegal or deviant behaviour. He calls this ‘selective law enforcement’ and suggests that police act on their own stereotypes and pre-conceptions on how to respond to the deviance and crime they come across. Labelling theorists are interested in who gets labelled...
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...Using material from Item A and elsewhere assess the usefulness of labelling theory in explaining crime and deviance. (21 marks) Labelling theory is a micro theory that explains how self-identity and behaviour of individuals may be determined or influenced by the terms used to describe them. As Item A states, it is a micro approach that examines how individuals construct society. Labelling theory is useful in explaining crime and deviance through the way in which Lemert distinguishes between primary and secondary deviance. However, the usefulness of labelling theory can be criticised as they fail to explain why individuals commit primary deviance. The usefulness of labelling theory in explaining crime and deviance will be explored. Labelling theory is useful in explaining crime and deviance as it distinguishes between primary and secondary deviance. Lemert (1972) makes this distinction, he argues primary deviance is a deviant act that has not been publicly labelled and has little or no significance, whereas secondary deviance is an act that gets a negative social reaction and consequently incurs a label. This implies that, as Item A states, that an action is criminal only when society views it as criminal. This is useful in explaining crime and deviance as it indicates how deviant acts can escalate from primary to secondary deviance and when this occurs how an individual is labelled and excluded from society. This progression is illustrated in Jock Young’s study of hippies who...
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