Topic Summaries

Interactionist perspectives of crime

A-Level > Sociology > AQA > A Level Sociology Topic Summaries > Crime and deviance > Interactionist perspectives of crime
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  • Labelling theory: (👤 Becker, 1963) deviance is created by societal reaction to an act. Moral entrepreneurs create laws that label certain behaviour as deviant.
    • Overemphasises labelling and ignores underlying causes of deviance.
  • Primary and secondary deviance: (👤 Lemert, 1967) primary deviance is unlabelled, secondary deviance results from societal reaction, leading to a deviant identity.
    • Not all labelling leads to a deviant career.
  • Negotiation of justice: (👤 Cicourel, 1970) police use typifications of the ‘typical delinquent’ based on class and ethnicity, influencing who gets arrested.
    • Ignores how law enforcement can act in more impartial ways.
  • Deviancy amplification: (👤 Wilkins, 1964) media and police reaction can increase deviance, as seen in the study of marijuana users in Notting Hill.
    • Cannot explain initial reasons for deviance.

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