Labelling Theories' Contribution to the Sociological Understanding of Crime and Deviance
Becker is the main sociologist studying labelling theory on deviance,
he argues that 'social groups create deviance by making the rules
whose infraction constitutes deviance.' Meaning acts only become
deviant when observers perceive it and define it as deviant. An
example of this would be the act of nudity, it is accepted in the
bedroom between husband and wife or on a nudist camp, but when a
stranger was to enter the bedroom, or someone was to streak across a
sporting event, others would usually see this as deviant, and this
deviancy would become a label on the individual.
Several factors affect what the audience would perceive as deviant,
such things as, who commits the act; when and where it is committed;
who observes the act; and negotiations between those in the act.
It is often those who respond to the acts who label the act deviant
rather than the behaviour of the individual. To stress this, Becker
uses the example of a brawl between youngsters, in a working-class
area police would see the act as sign of delinquency whereas if it was
to occur in a wealthy neighbourhood it would just be classed as
youthful high spirits.
Because Becker concentrates on the interaction between the potential
deviant and the agents of social control (observers) he is following
the interactionist perspective.
Due to the fact that individuals usually find their self-concepts
through the responses of others, it is likely according to Becker,
that after the individual has been labelled as deviant, they progress
down the path of a 'deviant career' and it...
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...being committed.
Becker also outlines moral problems He questions where the researchers
sympathies should lie, should they side with the 'underdog' or should
they judge criminal behaviour as wrong?
To evaluate the contribution of the labelling theorists to the study
of the sociology of deviance, it can be said that it depends on how
the theory is viewed. If the theory is seen as ' a theory with all the
achievements and obligations that go with the title' then it has many
flaws. But if, as Becker suggests, we attempt to consider the theory
as just a way of looking at deviance, then the contribution can be
great, as it opened up a study of the individual after he has
committed an act of deviance.
It can be concluded that labelling theory continues its usefulness, as
long as deviant behaviour continues to exist.
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Within this essay there will be a clear understanding of the contrast and comparison between left and right realism, supported by accurate evidence that will support and differentiate the two wings of realism.
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A strong example of this would be the recent exploits at the Woodstock 99 music festival.
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...or employment in food science, medicine, pharmacy, optometry, public health, epidemiology, nutrition science research, or nutrition policy.