Key Features of Interactionism
• A micro level perspective
• Social Action, rather than social structure
• Focuses on how we interpret the social world, and give meaning to action
• Importance of Social Context
• The “Self”
George Mead and “The Self”
• Our self-conceptions are a combination of – “I” : spontaneous action; observing– “Me”: aware of how others see me; reflecting a
censored and partial role played for others
• Together these form the Self
Interactionism and Deviance
• “Crime” and “criminal” are not clear, unambiguous categories
• People can technically break the law without undermining their self-image
• Social Construction of Deviance: different actions can result in punishment or not, dependent on different circumstances
Source Becker (1963) Outsiders Obedient Behaviour Rule-Breaking Behaviour
Perceived as Deviant Falsely Accused Pure Deviant
Not Perceived as Deviant
Conforming Secret Deviant
“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 the label has successfully applied; deviant behaviour is behaviour that people so label.”
Howard S. Becker “The Outsiders”
Task: How are the following actions responded to differently?
• Killing
• Swearing
• Drinking
• Speeding
Different behaviour can be perceived and interpreted differently
Edwin Lemert• Primary Deviancy: may be temporary
experimentation: does not result in a changed self-conception
• Secondary deviancy: results when labelling has established a deviant self-identity– May result in acceptance of deviant status, and
reorganisation of life to preserve “Self”
• The societal reaction may, or may not be triggered by primary deviancy
Howard Becker: “The Outsiders”
• Focused on the process by which individuals achieved a marijuana smoker
• Stigma attached to the deviant label changed individuals behaviour
• Individuals deviants relocate themselves entirely within the subcultural groups: master status as deviant
Deviancy Amplification
• (Unintended) consequences of labelling– Adaptation of deviants “master status”– Copycat behaviour– Application of label to a growing and less well defined
range of situations– More stringent prioritisation of problems
• Targeting the groups• Reduced levels of discretion• Stricter Sentences• Changing Interpretation of Labels
What determines the application of the “deviant” label?
• Power : Groups which have the ability to make and enforce laws
• Ideology : the identification of the behaviour which is to be criminalized
Key Groups in the Labelling perspective
• Law Makers
• Law Breakers
• Law Enforcers
• The Reactors (i.e. the public), and those who influence them
Moral Panics
• An exaggerated, simplified, media reaction to a threat to societal values, calling for greater social control, but producing a spiral of reaction
Folk Devils and Moral Panics
• Stan Cohen’s classic study of the press coverage of Mods and Rockers “Riots” in the 1960s
• Sensationalised distortion of events• Predictions of future conflict and violence: self-
fulfilling prophecy• Symbolic deviance: “Folk Devils”• Moral entrepreneurs calling for greater social
control, resulting in marginalisation
Policing the Crisis
• Stuart Hall (et al): moral panic around ‘mugging’
• Discourse around themes of youth, crime and race used to shape the debate, and reinforced the New Right political project (hegemony) of authoritarian populism
Weaknesses of the Labelling Perspective
• Relativist definition of crime• Lack of focus on causes of primary
deviance: does unobserved deviance exist? • Only successfully applied to certain types
of crime• Difficult (impossible?) to show evidence, as
primary deviance is hidden• Ignores social structure, power, etc.
Strengths of the Labelling Perspective
• Importance of self-perception
• Leads to a shift away from the focus on the offender– The beginnings of criminology considering the
role of law enforcers (e.g. the police) in criminological explanation
– Some aspects of labelling still influential in areas of criminological debate
Enduring Influences of Labelling
• Resettlement of offenders
“Did you know many prisoners are homeless and unemployed after they are released from prison? Given this fact, it's not that surprising that many ex-prisoners drift back into crime. We make sure that prisoners get the support they need to lead law-abiding lives and play a
meaningful part in society.” NACRO Website
Reintegrative Shaming
• Policies aimed at reintegrating offenders back into ‘mainstream’ society– Societal disapproval, coupled with gestures of
re-acceptance: aim to avoid stigma– Aimed at re-orienting the offender’s sense of
“Self” by appealing to their conscience
Summary
• Individuals make sense of the world according to the way people react to them
• 2 aspects to personality: Id and Ego• Labels threaten the sense of self (the id)• 2 choices
– cease behaviour causing label– seek out norms, values and behaviour that support/ condone
deviant behaviour• Deviancy Amplification• Deviant labels not just the result of crime• Public discourse development and shaping of a deviant
“phenomenon”
Top Related