Critically evaluate the contribution that the Labelling theory has made to our understanding of the nature of Crime and Deviance.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Critically evaluate the contribution that the Labelling theory has made to our understanding of the nature of Crime and Deviance.

Most approaches to the understanding of crime and deviance, (except Marxism) accept there is a difference between those who offend and those who don't. However, one group of sociologists, influenced by symbolic interactionism, have questioned this approach, arguing that the approach is mistaken in the assumption that lawbreakers are different from the law-abiding. The Labelling theory is greatly influenced by symbolic interactionism and instead suggests that most people commit deviant or criminal acts, but only some people are caught and stigmatised for it. This approach to the understanding of crime and deviance is an opinion dividing one, facing many criticisms. It is unique in that, unlike other theories on crime and deviance, it argues that it is pointless trying to search for the differences between deviants and non-deviants and instead, suggests the stress should be upon understanding the reaction to, and definition of, deviance rather than on the causes of the initial act.

Howard Becker made, arguably, one of the most important contributions to understanding crime and deviance through the development of labelling theory. Becker states that