Crime : Becker

• Becker believed social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance and by applying those rules to particular people and labelling them as outsiders. For Becker, there is no such thing as a deviant act - it only becomes deviant when others perceive and define it as such.
• Whether a label is applied depends on HOW the act is interpreted by the audience. In turn, this depends on WHO commits the act, WHEN and WHERE the act is committed, WHO observes it and the negotiations between the various actors involved in the process.
• A brawl in a low-income neighbourhood might be seen by the police as deviance. If it occurred in a middle class suburb it might be seen by the police as horse-play. In both cases the acts might be the same but the meanings placed on those acts vary. Those who commit the act might view it one way (e.g. as defending territory), the police another.
• Who is seen as a deviant depends on the POWER one has. The mass media, police, courts, politicians etc. have the power to make the label stick.
• The label takes MASTER STATUS, pushing all other considerations of the individual into insignificance. Others will see and respond toward the person regardless of any other considerations they once had of him/her as neighbour / friend / worker / father / mother.
• Becker uses an example of an individual being publicly labelled a drug-taker. This could lead to rejection by family thus the individual turns to further crime to support his/her habit before possibly joining a subculture based around drug - use. Becker stresses that none of these stages are mechanical - in fact if the societal reaction is positive then the deviance might stop there.
• Becker claimed that the label can lead to a 'career' in deviance or crime - once the label has been applied, an individual may face rejection from many social groups and becomes an 'outsider'. This will lead the person to act in a way that is even more deviant as their normal way of life has disappeared or diminished.
• If an individual is sentenced to prison, the label of 'ex-con' will certainly stick and the master status of an ex-offender will prevent them from returning to the life they may have held before. This could close off legitimate opportunities to make a living, leaving only illegitimate opportunities such as further crime. The ex-con may then join with an organized deviant group who face similar problems, which provide support and understanding for the deviant identity. The deviant career has now started.
• Becker says none of these stages are mechanical or deterministic. Moral entrepreneurs ; police, mass media have the power and resources to create or enforce rules.
• Becker claimed that labelling can lead to a career in deviance or crime. Once a label is applied, an individual may face rejection from social groups and become an outsider. So the person will act in a way thats even more deviant; their normal way of life has disappeared.
• If sentenced to prison, the label of ex-con will stick and become their master status which will prevent them from returning to their previous way of life, closing off legitimate opportunities to make a living, leaving only illegitimate means. They may then join an organised deviant group who face similar problems, providing support and understanding for the deviant identity, starting the deviant career.