Comparing The Labelling Theory And Symbolic Interaction Theory

Functionalism and symbolic interaction theories understand deviance in society differently. Deviance refers to groups of individuals diverging from usual expectations and standards of society (Clinard 1962). The functionalist theory understands society on a macro-level perceptive, allowing it to see deviance from a holistic viewpoint with the effects it has on society, creating a system working together to maintain sustainability, and to prevent social conflict. On the other hand, symbolic interaction displays how the view of society may be the cause of social conflict. An example of this can be seen from the labelling theory. For the purpose of this essay, exclusion of youth in society will be focused on as a case study to demonstrate the

One of the main perspectives of symbolic interactionism, is the labelling theory by Becker which discusses how individual's behaviour is formed by how others perceive them. Labelling theory is the social reactions, which identifies and interprets activities or individuals as deviant, not only the person who violates the norms. The youth then acts upon how they are perceived, (Bernburg, Krohn & Rivera 2006) which makes them more likely to commit crimes (Sherman & Berk 1984). The outsiders (1963) a book written by Howard Becker a sociologist mentions that social groups create deviance by creating the different rules and norms, and then applying those rules to a particular group of people and labelling them as outsiders. For instance, economic inequality plays a huge role as it is a disadvantage to low-socioeconomic youth which leads them to be deviant against social norms, as they are excluded from society (Baron 2006). An example being, youth from a low socioeconomic background are seen as all lazy with no goals or aspirations and try to find the easy way out. Though it's the situation they are put in and the way society perceives that particular group, which forces them to act deviant, to fill that gap in society. Some deviant labels are really strong, which makes It really hard for society to change a view on a social group (Crossman 2018). The rejection by others in society, might leave no choice for the individual, but to form into groups with others, that have similar deviant status, especially for the falsely accused. Edwin Sutherland (1939) developed the differential association theory, which refers to individuals being around and interacting with deviance, individuals tend to learn the attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behaviour (Hoffmann 2003). An example would be an adolescent having to be deviant to gain reputation as the 'tough' one, to prove themselves to others to