In an attempt to explain its method, Labelling theory mainly focuses on three central concerns, firstly, why some acts become deviant, criminal, etc, and others do not.
The second realises that there are certain members of society who are more likely than others to attract the labels of deviance.
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The third concern assesses the experience of being labelled, for the recipient of that label.
It was born out of a theory developed by George H Mead, and what mead and sociologists call symbolic interactionism. Its emphasis is in exploring the meanings that are involved in our every day social interactions, so as we are better able to make sense of our behaviour. People will behave in the way that they perceive or define that a given situation expects them to behave, and they are given these definitions by the every day signs and symbols they encounter. (A)
What symbolic interaction theory also states is, “that when enough people agree that a certain idea is true then it becomes true and is understood as real”. What this means is that, if a person commits a crime, every one must agree it’s a crime for them to be defined a criminal, only then will society react to that person as a criminal. This will in turn require him to act as a criminal and take on that label. This is known as Deviance amplification and may have begun at school by the child being labelled troublemaker, which in turn encourages them to hang out with the other kids that are getting into trouble, which goes on to confirm his deviant image to himself, They may then go on to pursue a deviant career to further confirm the label. (E)
As he or she grows up and continues to engage in deviant acts, she or he is then segregated from society and may be labeled, “untrustworthy” thief," "slag" ""nonce," "junkie," or the like. The label may even be a hidden one, which the person giving it may or may not choose to reveal. The label may become the master status of that person. This means that once people become aware of it, they assume that the person has all the characteristics that are associated with that label, this can happen through stereo typing. What Becker noted was that this process of segregation creates "outsiders", who are outcast from their society; they then begin to associate with other individuals who have also been cast out. When more and more people begin to think of these individuals as deviants, they respond to them as such; thus the deviant reacts to such a response by continuing to engage in the behavior society now expects from them. (B) This is what is known as primary and secondary deviance. If the person that has been so labeled, draws their self concept from the reactions they receive from others. What Lemert called the
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Looking glass self (or your image reflected through others) He or she will take on those characteristics, and initiate what is known as a self fulfilling prophecy. (C) That is, they become what every one expects or thinks them to be, this is because we do not all share the same definition of a situation in the same way. It doesn’t matter what the situation is, it’s how we define that situation that will decide the consequences of the outcome. (E)
What labelling theory also says is that, who and what is considered deviant is constantly changing, and that no behaviour is naturally deviant or criminal; it only becomes so when other people give it that label. Becker 1963 argues that the deviant is merely one to who the label has been successfully applied, (B) the successful labeling will then in turn require them to act as a criminal. On the other hand if another person commits the same crime and society defines the behavior as a "mistake". That person is not seen as a criminal and as such is not required to be a criminal in return. Rule breaking behavior is simply that which is labeled deviant by persons in positions of power, and what counts as a crime depends on who is doing the labelling. Deviant behaviour is behaviour that the people with the most power or control so label. The rules (including criminal laws) are made by people with power, and enforced on those who are without or have very little power. (B)
Not every one agrees However that labeling cause’s further deviance. Aaron Cicourel for example does not see labeling as simply as a process where some one is given a label and they then act accordingly. Rater he describes the process as a series of complex interactions between the delinquent person, and the authorities. He also suggests that when the judicial authorities interact with young people, they do so, because of misconceptions and stereotypical views. (B) When interaction takes place with the system, those who understand least about how the system operates are most likely to become victims of it.
What this means is where middle class kids will define themselves to the authorities as basically good, admitting they acted foolishly and who are remorseful, they are more often let of with a caution and treated with courtesy. If they are argumentative or confrontational however, this is likely to produce an aggressive and authoritarian attitude toward them from the
Student Id no. 2304279
Student Id no. 2304279
Police or probation officer, who will perceive that the offender is just a typical delinquent.(D)
In Conclusion, if labeling theory is correct then the way to lower the crime rate is found in changing how society interacts with criminals to avoid labels. (This can be seen though as being soft on the offender.) Becker's theory of labeling, while maintaining a great deal of popularity today, does encounter several criticisms. Many sociologists view labeling theory as un-testable, and fails to explain why some members of society are labeled rather than others. Another major criticism of labeling theory is its failure to explain primary deviance. Both Lemert (1951) and Becker (1963) believe that primary deviance is influenced by many different and changing variables and the research into causes of primary deviance is unproductive. It is very common and has no influence on a persons self concept. This is not accepted however by many sociologists. Thirdly the theory is criticized for being to deterministic and argues that as soon as that person receives their label, from then on their deviance will escalate and inevitably become worse, the labeled person has no option but to get more and more involved in deviant activities.
Bibliography
(A) Introduction to crime theory > Auth, R H Burke. Pub, Mcmilan
(B) Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance. Becker New York: Free Press, 1963.
(C) Crime and society in Britain > Auth, H Croall. Pub, Longman
(D) Active sociology > Auth, S. Best & J. Griffiths. Pub, Longman
(E) Crime and Criminology > Auth, R White & F Haines. Pub, Oxford Press
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