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Labelling theory emerged in the early 1960s challenging the positivist stance on criminology, thus creating a paradigm shift in the way that crime and deviance was viewed in society. Disparate from their positivist criminological predecessors, labelling theorists were solely interested in deviance, rather than crime (Coleman and Norris 2000). The willingly accepted, deterministic approach of traditional criminologists was highly contested by labelling theorists due to their recognition of temporal, situational and spatial variation. Consequently, labelling theorists claimed that deviance is merely a social construction, whereby no behaviour is intrinsically deviant (Becker 1963). Actions only become deviant as a response to the process of …show more content…
This essay will firstly explore how labelling theory derived from action theories, followed by the consequences for the individual as a result of labelling including the contributions of the most influential labelling theorists namely Becker (1963), Lemert (1961). Furthermore, the essay will then consider the consequences when labels are applied to groups of people, as well as whether there is a typical recipient of such deviant labels. Lastly, labelling theory will be critiqued, suggesting its limitations as proposed by contrasting sociological groups. Labelling theory derived from action theories; namely …show more content…
However it is important to recognise that the criticisms of labelling theory are not straight-forward. The complexity of criticism is due to the diverse range of theorists’ stances within the labelling theory (Heidensohn 1989). Such criticisms will now be identified and
“Labeling theory,” which states that our self-identity and behavior can be altered by the names or terms that people use to describe or classify us. Labeling is using descriptive terms to categorize or classify something or someone. Sometimes these labels can have positive impacts on our life or as Amanat’s mentioned that these labels can limit our full potential to do anything by believing that people’s expectation about us is how we should define ourselves. In doing so, we act against our true nature because we’re trying to live up to others expectations or deny their assumptions.
During the 1970’s to the early 1990’s there had emerged two new approaches to the study of crime and deviance. The discipline of criminology had expanded further introducing right and left realism, both believe in different areas and came together in order to try and get a better understanding on crime and prevention. There were many theorists that had influenced the realism approaches such as; Jock Young (Left Wing) and James Wilson (Right Wing).
Bohm and Brenda L. Vogel, the Labeling theory is used to explain why people commit crimes and conceive themselves as criminals. Overall the Labeling theory consists of social groups creating rules and then applying those rules to particular people and labeling them as outsiders. This theory is split into two types of deviances: primary deviance and secondary deviance. Primary deviance is the initial criminal act, for example, a man robs a bank. A secondary deviance is committing a crime after the first criminal act and accepting the label of a criminal. Following the previous example, after the man robs the bank, he decides to do it again because he now sees himself as a criminal bank robber and wants to continue doing it and is okay with being seen that
Labelling theory: The theory that the terms crime, deviance, or punishment are labels, variously applied by act of power and not some natural reflection of events – American criminologist Howard Becker
Labeling theory of deviance suggests that when one is labeled constantly on the basis of any minority it gives rise to deviant behavior in order to prove the strength of the minority. The minority has been labeled so by people for a long time. They have been labeled because of their race. The gang is labeled anti-social because of their criminal behavior which turns them further to deviance. The use of the labeling theory can be seen being implemented very judiciously
The power of labeling can be seen in the the name that we were given. The name we use affects the way people treat you. It can also affect the behavior of other and how you behave also. This concept is basically the reactions we get from people and ourselves aswell from just naming things.
As mentioned in lecture, labeling theory asks two critical questions: what is crime, and who is criminal? This is the central tenet of labeling theory because the focus is on what activities constitute criminal behaviour within the context. This means that over time, the general perspective changes in regards to what can be labeled 'crime.' For instance, society is known to react negatively towards prostitution in the past; whereas the contemporary reaction is primarily to legalize it.
Although we have a general definitions of crime, some criminologists argue that crimes is better placed within the concept of social harm, Stuart Henry and Mark Lanier (1998) as quoted in Muncie, Talbot and Walters (2010). pp 16-17 were leading authors who done just that. Criminologists such as “Tifft, 1995 an...
What are theories of crime? Why are they important? In this paper, will discuss two crime theories. Social learning theory and the labeling theory. We will compare both crime theories. It will also explain how these theories are related to specific crimes. The two theories discussed will also explain the policy implications. Finally, we will address what types of programs can be created to mitigate specific crimes related to the causation theories.
The labelling theory became dominant within society during the 1940’s and 1950’s, when a group of graduate students from the Chicago school tried a different approach to applying theory to deviant behaviour. Within this group was a highly influential young man, Howard S.Becker who became the person most recognised for his work with the labelling of crime (Williams.F. McShaneM. 2010.p110). Becker argued that labels could be applied through the social reaction of others when a deviant or criminal act had been committed he stated that “Labelling is the process of identifying, categorising and stereotyping social categories such as delinquents” (Davies.M.et.al.2010.p30). When an individual becomes labelled a criminal, people do not consider all the praiseworthy things they may have done previously, they just see that they have committed some form of deviance and are now judged within societ...
Labelling theory, stemming from the influences of Cooley, Mead, Tannenbaum, and Lemert, has its origins somewhere within the context of the twentieth century. However, Edwin Lemert is widely considered the producer and founder of the original version of labelling theory. This paper, not a summary, provides a brief history of labelling theory, as well as, its role in the sociology of deviance. It attempts to explore the contributions made by labelling theorists, the criticism towards labelling theorists, and the discussion surrounding its reality as an actual theory. In essence, the main focus of this paper besides proving an understanding of Howard Becker, is to describe and evaluate `labelling theory` to the study of crime and deviance, by way of an in depth discussion.
Therefrom, Becker (1963) notes ‘Social groups create deviance by creating the rules whose infraction [breaking] constitutes deviance, and by applying those rules to particular people and labelling them as outsiders.’ Implying that deviant individuals have accepted their given label of ‘deviant’ and therefore act upon this creating deviant acts. This is then why labelling theorists take a constructionist approach to crime and
Labelling theory was acknowledged and more commonly known during 1960’s yet towards the 1980’s it was seen as less supportive and was being critiqued by other scholars and theorists. One of the reasons to why labelling theory was becoming less supported and critiqued more frequently was due to lack of research being conducted in the field, however in recent years there has been an increased interest in labelling theory and its perspectives (Lopes and Krohn et al., 2012, pp. 457-458).
Others may treat them differently thus reinforcing the label. The individual may feel alienated, accepting the label and perceiving themselves as deviant, therefore fulfilling the expectations of the label, displaying deviancy amplification, and becoming the self-fulfilling prophecy. (Hectic Teacher n.d.) naming and shaming’ offenders is objected to within labelling theory as it creates a misconception they are different and can cause further deviance. Many youngsters engage in activities that break the law and do not grow up to be criminals (Robins, 1978) and labelling theory is clear that policies should attempt to prevent labelling minor delinquent acts.
The above mentioned incident is a very small example of how labeling ruins life if it is done wrongly. While labeling someone as ‘Champion’ might create a positive aura about them, naming someone as ‘Loser’ will cause the damage that might ruin his life. Labeling is just an inkling of imagination that is capable of spoiling everything about a human’s character and personality. Thus one should think considerably about this issue and before labeling someone they should think about all the factors of damage that it might bring with it. Perhaps then humanity will be free of labels that are so