Labelling Theory and Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

This page delves deeper into labelling theory and introduces the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy in relation to crime and deviance.

Edwin Lemert developed the concepts of primary and secondary deviance:

Definition:

• Primary deviance: The initial act of deviance, often regarded as minor by the person
• Secondary deviance: When society's reaction to primary deviance leads to a person being labelled as deviant, becoming their "master status"

The page outlines different types of labelling:

1. Formal labelling (e.g., criminal record)
2. Informal labelling (by family and friends)
3. Projective labelling (using a deviant identity to predict future actions)
4. Retrospective labelling (interpreting past actions in light of present deviance)

Example: A person engages in a criminal act and is caught by police. They are then labelled as a "criminal," which becomes their master status. This label is reinforced, leading to difficulties finding employment and maintaining relationships, potentially pushing them further into criminal behavior.

The concept of self-fulfilling prophecy is central to labelling theory. It suggests that once a person is labelled as deviant or criminal, they may internalize this label and act accordingly, thus confirming the original label.

Highlight: The self-fulfilling prophecy cycle can lead to a person accepting the master status of "criminal," making it difficult to reintegrate into society after serving a prison sentence.

This sociological theory of crime emphasizes the power of social reactions and labels in shaping criminal behavior, offering a different perspective from the Marxist view on crime and deviance.

Evaluation of Marxism and Introduction to Labelling Theory

This page evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the Marxist perspective on crime and capitalism and introduces the interactionist approach of labelling theory.

Strengths of Marxism:

1. Explains how poverty and inequality cause working-class crime
2. Shows how capitalism promotes greed and corporate crime
3. Highlights differential law enforcement between street crime and corporate crime

Quote: Gordon (1976) points out "clear differences in how the law is enforced between street crime and corporate crime," calling this "selective law enforcement."

Weaknesses of Marxism:

1. Overpredicts working-class crime
2. Ignores links between crime and other inequalities (e.g., ethnicity, gender)
3. Doesn't account for low crime rates in some capitalist societies
4. Overlooks severe punishments for some corporate crimes

The page then introduces labelling theory, an interactionist approach that views crime as a social construction.

Definition: Social Construction - criminal acts are defined as deviant and illegal because society views them as such.

Howard Becker's labelling theory states that deviant behavior is behavior that people label as such. This leads to the concept of moral panics, where media exaggeration demonizes certain groups.