interactionist theories of crime

• Becker - labelling theory

  points out that people react differently to the same act depending on the social context and this influences the label that is placed on the act
• Becker - our self concept

  how we see ourselves

  becker argued that this is created by recognising how others see us : being aware of how we are labelled
• effects of being labelled as deviant - Becker

  being labelled as deviant can lead to deviance amplification because this label can become our master status
• who spoke about folk devils and moral panics ?

  Cohen (1972)
• Cohen - moral panic and folk devils


  researched the fights that took place in mainly English seaside towns between the two youth subcultures : the mods and rockers
• folk devils

  cohen argued that when the media reports on deviant behaviour they construct a clear villain : the folk devil

  the creation of folk devils can kickstart moral panics
• moral panics

  any over the top reaction to an issue that appears to relate to right or wrong
• result of the moral panics

  the minor conflict between the two subcultures meant that the media created a larger story that exaggerated what happened

  the reaction meant that police responded to future conflict more forcefully
• evaluation of the interactionist approach

  realists question whether these theories are any use to policymakers

  Becker's argument can be seen as abstract - crime isn't just a label

  similar to classical marxism interactionists cast the criminals as victims of labelling by society rather than help the real victims