labelling

• what is labelling?

  general and broad terms used to describe members of a group
• process of labelling?

  • label is given by powerful majority
  • person is treated according to the label
  • label becomes the master status, overlooking other forms of status the person has
  • self concept changes and person accepts label NOTE: listing features of labelling theory, 1. behaviour 2. label given 3. person treated given master status 4. self concept
• Besemer (2013)?

  looked into extent which children of convicted parents had a higher risk of conviction due to official bias (criminal justice system focusing on certain families with high levels of criminal behaviour and low income levels)

  • findings show families labelled as criminal are paid more attention to, children can be labelled by powerful groups as criminal according to social circumstance and parental behaviour
• evidence supporting labelling theory?

  • Lieberman (2014), juveniles previously arrested were more likely to commit other crimes compared to juveniles who weren't previously arrested, which can be due to labelling
  • Chambliss (1973), observed 2 groups of high school boys (roughnecks and saints). found roughnecks more likely to be labelled as deviant by police and have legal action taken against them
• evidence against labelling theory?

  • Lemert (1962), cheque forgers had forged long before they were caught so were active in crime before label had taken place. self-image isn't affected by a label so how do people turn to crime in the first place?
  • role of nature is ignored, cannot explain all criminal behaviour