Sociology Interactionists explination of crime

• Who are the key theorists in interactionist explanations of crime and deviance?

  Becker, Lemert, and Cicourel
• What do interactionists focus on regarding crime and deviance?

  How and why actions are labelled as deviant
• How do interactionists view the nature of meanings in society?

  Meanings are modified through interaction
• What do interactionists reject about deviance?

  Positivist ideas of external causes of deviance
• What does Howard Becker's labelling theory state?

  Deviance is created by social groups making rules
• What factors influence whether a person is labelled as deviant?

  Interactions with social control agencies
• What did Piliavin and Briar (1964) study reveal?

  Agencies of social control label certain groups more
• What was Cicourel's focus in his study of justice?

  The role of law-enforcers in interpreting situations
• How does Cicourel view justice?

  Justice is negotiable, not fixed
• Why should crime statistics be viewed with caution according to Cicourel?

  They reflect processes of labelling and enforcement
• What does Lemert's concept of primary deviance refer to?

  Deviant acts before public labelling occurs
• What is secondary deviance according to Lemert?

  Response to societal reactions to deviance
• What is a master status in the context of labelling theory?

  A label that dominates an individual's identity
• What options does an individual have after being labelled?

  Reject or accept the label imposed on them
• What did Jock Young study in relation to deviance?

  The deviant career of hippies in Nottinghill
• What does the deviance amplification spiral describe?

  Control attempts increase levels of deviance
• What was Stan Cohen's focus in his study of Mods and Rockers?

  The media's role in creating moral panic
• What did Cohen conclude about media labelling?

  It generates more deviance than it condemns
• What are 'folk devils' in the context of labelling theory?

  Individuals or groups labelled as deviant by society
• How can interactionist views inform criminal justice policy?

  By developing policies that reduce labelling effects
• What is a consequence of harsh treatment of young offenders?

  It leads to increased rates of crime
• What does reintegrative shaming involve?

  Labeling the act, not the offender
• What does labelling theory challenge about deviants?

  The idea that deviants are inherently different
• What is a criticism of labelling theory regarding deviance?

  It does not explain initial deviant acts
• What do Taylor et al (1973) argue about deviance?

  It should be defined by actions, not reactions
• What is a limitation of interactionist definitions of deviance?

  They fail to explain why some are labelled
• What does the conclusion of labelling theory highlight?

  The complexity of defining deviance in society
• What is a major source of inspiration from labelling theory?

  New Left Realism in sociology
• What is one difference between Becker and Lemert's labelling theories?

  Becker focuses on rule-making, Lemert on reactions
• How do interactionists view the role of agents of social control?

  They socially construct crime through enforcement
• What are the key concepts of interactionist explanations of crime and deviance?

  • Labelling theory
  • Primary and secondary deviance
  • Deviancy amplification spiral
  • Role of societal reactions
  • Negotiation of justice
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of labelling theory?

  Strengths:

  • Highlights societal reactions to deviance
  • Challenges the notion of inherent deviance

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Lacks explanation for initial deviance
  • Can be deterministic in nature
• How can criminal justice policies be improved based on interactionist views?

  • Reduce harsh treatment of offenders
  • Implement reintegrative shaming
  • Focus on societal reactions to deviance