Assess the contributions that labelling theory has made to our understanding of crime-21marks
Apart from Marxists, most approaches to the understanding of crime accept the difference between offenders and non-offenders. However, one group of sociologists have questioned this approach. They argue that the approach’s assumption that lawbreakers are different from the law-abiding is incorrect. The Labelling theory, however, suggests that most people commit criminal acts, but only a number are caught and stigmatised for it. This approach to the understanding of crime has faced many criticisms, unlike other theories, it suggests that focus should be on understanding the reaction to, and definition of, crime instead of the causes of the act itself. …show more content…
The act itself is not as important as the way society react to it therefore, agreeing that crime is a social construction. Becker’ studies show that having the criminal label can have major consequences for an individual’s identity. If the label of criminal is successfully applied, it becomes a master status, cancelling out the other statuses the individual has even if they are positive. Labelling could result in social exclusion (work) or any other mainstream society. This leaves the deviants little choice but to seek support from others in similar situations, supporting a deviant lifestyle which could lead to further criminal acts and even a criminal career. This could eventually lead to the development of criminal sub-cultures. Criticisms of Becker’s theory includes that it doesn’t explain why people commit crimes and neglect power and social structure and therefore cannot explain why certain individuals are regularly and repeatedly identified as criminal, although labelling theorists claim they offer a voice for the underdog (those labelled as …show more content…
It suggests that once someone has been labelled as an offender then a deviant a career is inevitable. However, it is fact that some people are more powerful and can reject the labels. This is shown in Ress’ study on young male prostitutes. Although they had sexual relations with other men, they regarded it only as work and maintained an image of being ‘heterosexual’. Another criticism this theory faces is that it implies that without labelling, deviance would be non-existence, leading to the conclusion that an individual who commits a crime but isn’t labelled has not deviated. This theory also implies that deviants aren’t aware of their deviancy until they are labelled, yet most are aware that they are going against social norms.
Although there are many criticisms of the labelling theory, it has made major contributions to our understanding of crime. It has provided a substitute understanding towards the nature of crime and deviance, while also helping to develop an understanding of society’s reaction to it, and the labelling of criminals. Although understanding crime through labelling theory does not hold a complete answer, it does provide a great and convincing argument of what crime and deviance essentially is, and why society labels some people or acts as
Apart from Marxists, most approaches to the understanding of crime accept the difference between offenders and non-offenders. However, one group of sociologists have questioned this approach. They argue that the approach’s assumption that lawbreakers are different from the law-abiding is incorrect. The Labelling theory, however, suggests that most people commit criminal acts, but only a number are caught and stigmatised for it. This approach to the understanding of crime has faced many criticisms, unlike other theories, it suggests that focus should be on understanding the reaction to, and definition of, crime instead of the causes of the act itself. …show more content…
The act itself is not as important as the way society react to it therefore, agreeing that crime is a social construction. Becker’ studies show that having the criminal label can have major consequences for an individual’s identity. If the label of criminal is successfully applied, it becomes a master status, cancelling out the other statuses the individual has even if they are positive. Labelling could result in social exclusion (work) or any other mainstream society. This leaves the deviants little choice but to seek support from others in similar situations, supporting a deviant lifestyle which could lead to further criminal acts and even a criminal career. This could eventually lead to the development of criminal sub-cultures. Criticisms of Becker’s theory includes that it doesn’t explain why people commit crimes and neglect power and social structure and therefore cannot explain why certain individuals are regularly and repeatedly identified as criminal, although labelling theorists claim they offer a voice for the underdog (those labelled as …show more content…
It suggests that once someone has been labelled as an offender then a deviant a career is inevitable. However, it is fact that some people are more powerful and can reject the labels. This is shown in Ress’ study on young male prostitutes. Although they had sexual relations with other men, they regarded it only as work and maintained an image of being ‘heterosexual’. Another criticism this theory faces is that it implies that without labelling, deviance would be non-existence, leading to the conclusion that an individual who commits a crime but isn’t labelled has not deviated. This theory also implies that deviants aren’t aware of their deviancy until they are labelled, yet most are aware that they are going against social norms.
Although there are many criticisms of the labelling theory, it has made major contributions to our understanding of crime. It has provided a substitute understanding towards the nature of crime and deviance, while also helping to develop an understanding of society’s reaction to it, and the labelling of criminals. Although understanding crime through labelling theory does not hold a complete answer, it does provide a great and convincing argument of what crime and deviance essentially is, and why society labels some people or acts as