1. Symbolic Interactionism and Labelling Theory Dan Ellingworth Tuesday, 2 December 2008

2. Key Features of Interactionism A micro level perspective Social Action, rather than social structure Focuses on how we interpret the social world, and give meaning to action Importance of Social Context The “Self”

3. George Mead and “The Self” Our self-conceptions are a combination of –“I” : spontaneous action; observing –“Me”: aware of how others see me; reflecting a censored and partial role played for others Together these form the Self

4. Interactionism and Deviance “Crime” and “criminal” are not clear, unambiguous categories People can technically break the law without undermining their self-image Social Construction of Deviance: different actions can result in punishment or not, dependent on different circumstances

5. Source Becker (1963) Outsiders Obedient BehaviourRule-Breaking Behaviour Perceived as DeviantFalsely AccusedPure Deviant Not Perceived as Deviant ConformingSecret Deviant

6. “Deviance is not a quality of the act the person commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an ‘offender’. The deviant is one to whom the label has successfully applied; deviant behaviour is behaviour that people so label.” Howard S. Becker “The Outsiders”

7. Task: How are the following actions responded to differently? Killing Swearing Drinking Speeding Different behaviour can be perceived and interpreted differently

8. To understand crime, we need to therefore understand:- The Behaviour and The Reaction to it

9. Edwin Lemert Primary Deviancy: may be temporary experimentation: does not result in a changed self- conception Secondary deviancy: results when labelling has established a deviant self-identity –May result in acceptance of deviant status, and reorganisation of life to preserve “Self” The societal reaction may, or may not be triggered by primary deviancy

10. Howard Becker: “The Outsiders” Focused on the process by which individuals achieved a marijuana smoker Stigma attached to the deviant label changed individuals behaviour Individuals deviants relocate themselves entirely within the subcultural groups: master status as deviant

11. Deviancy Amplification (Unintended) consequences of labelling –Adaptation of deviants “master status” –Copycat behaviour –Application of label to a growing and less well defined range of situations –More stringent prioritisation of problems Targeting the groups Reduced levels of discretion Stricter Sentences Changing Interpretation of Labels

12. What determines the application of the “deviant” label? Power : Groups which have the ability to make and enforce laws Ideology : the identification of the behaviour which is to be criminalized

13. Key Groups in the Labelling perspective Law Makers Law Breakers Law Enforcers The Reactors (i.e. the public), and those who influence them

14. Moral Panics An exaggerated, simplified, media reaction to a threat to societal values, calling for greater social control, but producing a spiral of reaction

15. Folk Devils and Moral Panics Stan Cohen’s classic study of the press coverage of Mods and Rockers “Riots” in the 1960s Sensationalised distortion of events Predictions of future conflict and violence: self- fulfilling prophecy Symbolic deviance: “Folk Devils” Moral entrepreneurs calling for greater social control, resulting in marginalisation

16. Policing the Crisis Stuart Hall (et al): moral panic around ‘mugging’ Discourse around themes of youth, crime and race used to shape the debate, and reinforced the New Right political project (hegemony) of authoritarian populism

17. Weaknesses of the Labelling Perspective Relativist definition of crime Lack of focus on causes of primary deviance: does unobserved deviance exist? Only successfully applied to certain types of crime Difficult (impossible?) to show evidence, as primary deviance is hidden Ignores social structure, power, etc.

18. Strengths of the Labelling Perspective Importance of self-perception Leads to a shift away from the focus on the offender –The beginnings of criminology considering the role of law enforcers (e.g. the police) in criminological explanation –Some aspects of labelling still influential in areas of criminological debate

19. Enduring Influences of Labelling Resettlement of offenders “ Did you know many prisoners are homeless and unemployed after they are released from prison? Given this fact, it's not that surprising that many ex-prisoners drift back into crime. We make sure that prisoners get the support they need to lead law-abiding lives and play a meaningful part in society. ” NACRO Website

20. Reintegrative Shaming Policies aimed at reintegrating offenders back into ‘mainstream’ society –Societal disapproval, coupled with gestures of re-acceptance: aim to avoid stigma –Aimed at re-orienting the offender’s sense of “Self” by appealing to their conscience

21. Summary Individuals make sense of the world according to the way people react to them 2 aspects to personality: Id and Ego Labels threaten the sense of self (the id) 2 choices –cease behaviour causing label –seek out norms, values and behaviour that support/ condone deviant behaviour Deviancy Amplification Deviant labels not just the result of crime Public discourse development and shaping of a deviant “phenomenon”