Compare and contrast the labelling perspective and rational choice theory.

Context

Labelling perspective initially emerged in the 1960's and early 1970's (Young, 1981:286; Lilly, Cullen & Ball, 2002:105). This perspective was greatly influenced by the libertarian currents which were widespread within western capitalist societies at this time (Young, 1981:286). In contrast the rational choice theorists were influenced by the politics of control. Within the 1980's and 1990' many old theories were revitalised in a period of rising conservatism, which represented principles of individual responsibility, yet often turned a blind eye to social circumstances (Lilly, Cullen & Ball 2002:201).

Origins

Rational choice This earlier approach is usually referred to as the Classical Approach (1).

Procedded on similar assumptions as benthams

Perspective

Labelling

Social labelling theorists are adults who can no longer be taken in by the childish belief that 'sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me'.

Source:Stephen Box, Deviance, Reality and Society.

Traditionally deviant activity means those actions contrary to the norms whether discovered or not. Labelling draws a distinction between rule breaking and deviance with deviance being that rule breaking that is discovered and labelled.

Labeling departs from the view above. This for the most part is a departure from positivism, a suspicion of 'social facts' and a denial that human behavior is totally determined by society. The social action approach in sociology, of which labeling is a part, is much more concerned with meaning(why questions) rather than with positivism's concern with the extent of phenomena(what, or how much questions).

Labeling theorists tend to be uninterested in what 'causes' a person to act in a way defined as deviant. They are more interested in what happens when a person is perceived as a deviant-the focus is on the interaction between the deviant and those who define him/her as deviant.

"Social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance, and by applying those rules to particular people and labeling them as outsiders. From this point of view, deviance is not a quality of the act the person commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an offender. The deviant is one to whom that label has successfully been applied, deviant behavior is behavior that people so label". (Becker,"Outsiders")

Rational choice

Favoured by many economists

Based on expected utitlity

Explanation of individual action

Rational choice theory is based on the idea that individuals act for a particular purpose, that is to maximize their utility. In its simplest form rational choice theory states that given a number of options people do what they believe is likely to have the best overall outcome.

There is [... an] intrinsic, connection between the notions of rational choice and of risk (Sparks, 1997). Maximize the expected utilities' whilst minimising the risks (Sparks, 1997). Almost never have perfect information about risk (Sparks, 1997).

Policy

helps justify get tough policies

after all if it pays to commit crime

increase punishments, cost of commiting crime increases

legitimate get tough policies

Critiques

We may need to know more about the agent's wants and desires (cf. Stones, 1996, 40) than rational choice theories generally promise to tell us (Sparks, 1997).

Contribution

Crime, shame and reintegration

Reintegrating law breakers by shaming the offence without permanently stigmatizing the offender (Baumer, Wright Kristinsdottir & Gunnlaugsson, 2002)

Conclusion

Although both rational choice and labelling are primarily considered agency perspectives there are stark differences between them, showing how much diversity can be found in concepts human interaction and agency.

To consider these perspectives on their own may not really have great use when studying crime and criminology as a whole. Their real importance is as foundation for further study their biggest contribution is when they are incorporated into other theories such as Braithwaite's theory of crime, shame and reintegration.

The labelling theory perspective is indicative of a change of thought in the sixties and such is crucial to the field of criminology as it may have stagnated without it. It is of course imperative to see theories or perspectives within their historical and political perspectives. Both these perspectives are obviously child of their times.

Bibliography

http://www.crimetheory.com/TSC/sc.htm