Interpretivist Explanation

• What is the Interpretivist outlook on deviance?

  They question who has the power to define + label ppl as such.
• ______ ______ said that young WC males are more likely to be labelled as deviant by police, CSJ & the media.

  Howard Becker
• How can labelling impact individuals?

  On their future choices + behaviours
• What can labelling lead to the development of?

  Master status + self-fulling prophecy
• Who famously studied labelling?

  Aaron Cicourel
• What did Cicourel find about the way Cali police would arrest people?


  They were more likely to arrest ppl who SEEMED from a low-income bg, poor skl performance, ethnic minority etc.
• Cicourel: How differently would police treat different social classes?

  WC - more likely to be prosecuted

  MC - more likely to be counselled, cautioned + released
• What did Cicourel's study show about 'justice'?

  1. 'Justice' is negotiable
  2. Authority figures control the 'delinquent' stereotype
• What happened to the cannabis smokers in Notting Hill that Jock Young studied?


  Pre-being caught: Casual activity

  Being caught: Labelled by police + courts. Deviance intensifies.

  Post-being caught: Drug use becomes central, deviance is amplified.

  Labelling created a deviant sub.
• What theory did David Matza create?

  'Drift'
• What does Matza's 'Drift' refer to?

  Us 'drifting' between conforming + deviant behaviour is a skill we learn to control our behaviour
• Which sociologist argued that there aren't any deviant youth subs and instead we all share subterranean values that we control apart from during leisure times?

  David Matza, 'Drift'
• Consider 3 advantages of Labelling theory?

  • Raises issue of power
  • Highlights police bias
  • Considers societal reaction + impact on individuals
• Consider 3 disadvantages of Labelling theory?

  • Over-romantic
  • Ignores origin of these deviant acts
  • Doesn't explore capitalism enough