Interactionist

• What is the interactionist theory of crime?


  No act is inherently criminal or deviant but it becomes so when it as labeled as such
• What does Becker say about crime?


  An act becomes deviant when it is labels as so and is applied depending on social reaction. Moral entrepreneurs can create, enforce and impose definitions of crime
• What does Becker say about the labelling process?


  Labels can be applied depending on who committed and observed the act and negotiation with social actors
• What did Cicourel say about labelling?

  Peoples subjective perceptions and stereotypes can affect criminal labels meaning it is socially constructed. The halo effect has an impact on police views of classes and consequences given
• What did Lemert say about labelling?

  There is a distinction between primary and secondary deviance

  Primary = deviance that is not publicly labeled

  Secondary = labeled publicly and impacts the individual (self-fulfilling prophecy)
• What are the consequences of labelling?


  Deviance can be amplified

  Master status is gained

  Deviant becomes stigmatised

  Self-fulfilling prophecy - deviant career
• What is the master status?


  A criminal or deviant label that shapes the way others see the individual and is difficult to get rid of
• What are the strengths of interactionist approach?


  Shows importance of the views in others for defining and creating crime and deviance

  Shows labelling can lead to self-fulfilling prophecy and deviant careers
• What are the weaknesses of interactionist approach?


  Assumes an act isn't deviant until labelled

  Doesn't explain causes of behaviour

  Too deterministic - doesn't account free will
• How can labelling have the opposite effect?


  Deviance and crime resulted in an increase due to increased stigmatisation of young offenders and labelling