Labelling Theory And Criminal Behavior In Society Criminology Essay

Labelling Theory And Criminal Behavior In Society Criminology examineLabelling surmise is very designful in explaining brutal behavior. Labelling guess is mavin of the theories which explain the causes of degenerate and un equityful behaviour in order. It gives an insight on what could make an individual be attr serveed to criminal behavior as impertinent to clean-livingly desirable behavior. This is very all- fundamental(a) for criminologists, uprightness enforcement bodies and health billing professionals who try to rehabilitate criminals. This paper leave discuss the give chaseing opening with honour to detestation. Various theorists who discuss this conjecture will be studied in order to better understand criminal behaviour. A summary of issues discussed will also be given at the end.This theory was advanced by Becker and it explains the causes of criminal and degenerate behaviour in partnership.1This theory emphasizes that criminal behaviour occurs as a re sult of the rife genial radical labelling minority sort outs who are ideaed to be committing acts which are against social norms. The theory discusses how the behaviour and egotism identity of an individual locoweed be influenced or de preconditionined by diametric terms which the dominant population uses to classify or spot them. According to this theory, when the monastic order gives forbid con nonations to an individual, this influences the individual to adopt the labels which are tie to them.When the corporation labels a soulfulness as deviant, such(prenominal) people attribute the negative label and after time, they adopt the genius of a deviant person so as to conform to societys expectations. Every person knows how early(a) people tag them through previous fundamental interactions with other members of society. The egotism smoke be said to be moulded tally to this perception by society. When the society qualifys the perception which it has on an individu al and sees them to be deviant, an individual whitethorn re-evaluate their self depending on the authority of other peoples judgement.The society or dominant group has the power to decide what constitutes difference. This group defines departure and explains the levels which can be tolerated by society.2When this group labels someone as deviant, they may change their treatment of the individual. This change usually depends on the extent of deviance exhibited by the individual. The change in treatment of the individual affects their self image. The higher the change, the higher their image is affected. In some cases, especially when the self image is greatly affected, the individual changes their nature to conform to the labels which are given to them.Becker identifies two groups in society territory makers and rule breakers. Rule makers and breakers are seen to be two different groups which are in state of contrast. The rule breakers perceive themselves to be in contrast with ru le makers as far as moral values are concerned. Rule breakers thusly detach themselves from society and bring to pass forthsiders. However, there is a bond which exists within rule breakers, and they may perceive themselves to be the mainstream society and the rest of society to be outsiders.It is fundamental to note that Becker did not support any deviance theories which were advanced as explanations for causes of crime. Various theories such as differential association, strain theory, control theory and others attempt to explain the causes of crime. However, Becker was opposed to these theories since he was of the opinion that deviance does not exist. The dominant social group was seen by Becker as imposing their view of deviance, and featureing deviance would be accepting the views shared by this majority. elemental winding feather and unessential devianceBecker explains that there are two levels of deviance primary and sustainary deviance. Primary deviance is the initial level of deviance which is pull by a person. This deviance may either be unknowledgeable or intentional.3Many people fantasize or think of committing deviant actions and this may trigger the commission of deviance. Secondary deviance is the deviance which is committed after the labelling by society. The labels which societies give to a person trigger indirect deviance. There are various steps in which secondary coil deviance is achieved. The first step is world seen committing a deviance act and being labelled a deviant by society. Accepting the deviant label is the second step towards achieving secondary deviance. Some people may accept the deviant label and begin committing deviant acts as opposed to their form mode of aliveness. The third s check offe is commission of acts which are consistent with those of a deviant. This occurs after a rule breaker has accepted the deviant tag and they begin practicing a culture which is consistent with that of deviants.Beckers case s tudyBecker carried out a case study in which he attempted to get hold out how ganja came to be associated with deviants in the United States. During the late 1930s, the part of Narcotics began campaigns against marijuana use in the US. Since the bureau was new, it began these campaigns as a focus of justifying its existence. The ethnic Protestants were the prevailing religion during this time and they despised actions taken strictly for achieving ecstasy. The Protestant group can be said to be the dominant group as discussed earlier. This group preached of the need to free people from the thraldom of drugs. The bureau then began explaining the adverse effects of drugs, including showing the public tell from Mexico, which had one of the highest rates of drug abuse in the world. As a result, legislation was passed to discourage the vice. However, in spite of the legislation, the abuse of marijuana has continued. This can be explained by the labelling theory. The dominant group , the Protestant, branded people who use marijuana deviants. Many of them accepted the tag and continued abusing the drug since this was perceived to be the expectation of the society which branded them a deviant.Another case, which was observed by Thomas Scheff relates to people with mental illnesses. close to people who the society brands as mentally unstable usually begin acting according to how the media portrays the mentally ill.4Once they do so, they own access to professionals in mental illnesses. Most people act like the mentally unstable to at a point in life. However, not all are branded mentally unstable and only those who society perceives as weak are. This is consistent with the labelling theory in which the dominant group labels the minority group.Erving Goffman and labellingGoffman explains the concept of labelling through the use of social stigma. Stigma is behaviour, reputation or attribute which discredits a person or group. Goffman describes it as the difference between actual and virtual social identity.5Goffman explains that people often make certain assumptions based on interaction with other people. These assumptions often translate to expectations and people are expected to cause in certain ways based on these assumptions. These expectations gradually become demands and everyone demands that certain people act in a certain way based on the initial assumptions. When we begin analysing whether out expectations will be met we realise that all along we had been making assumptions.There are sextette levels of stigma which were associated with Goffman. The first is concealment and this is the index of one to hide stigma.6The second is disruptiveness and this is the ability of stigma to affect social relations. Aesthetics is the reaction by other people to stigma. Origin relates to the beginning of stigma and can either be deliberate, accidental or by birth. Course is the fifth chance and it relates to the progression of stigma over time . The sixth aspect is peril and this is the ability of stigma to pose as a danger to other people.Goffmans contributions to the theory of labelling are important. They explain what may make the dominant social group label the minority group. This also explains why the minority group may be under pressure to change their normal way of life and adapt to the labels which have been given to them. In order to reverse the adverse effects of labelling, stigma should be eliminated through avoiding assumptions about people. People should judge others through long term interaction rather than short term or casual interaction.Importance of labelling theory in understanding crimeLabelling theory has been seen to alter the normal actions performed by actors who the society has branded or labelled. The labelling makes them alter their actions and adopt those which are consistent with the labels which are attached to them. This is important in understanding crime since criminal behavior can be exp lained by this theory. When a person commits a criminal act, this is primary deviance and it may be unintentional or intentional. However, when the society brands that person a criminal, this may alter his or her self and they may start committing criminal activities. This is secondary deviance since it is influenced by the label which the society has given the person. Gradually, such people form groups in which they seek identity. They perceive the law permanent citizens to be a threat to their existence and they target them in their criminal activities.In order to reverse the criminal behavior and reduce crime, the society should avoid giving negative connotations to people, and see criminal behaviour as a mistake which can be rectified through rehabilitation. The society should understand the adverse effects of giving labels to people, since instead of being a deterrent to crime, it becomes a catalyst to crime. Labelling theory, amongst other theories serves to inform the public , law makers, law enforcers and health practitioners of the ineffectiveness of labelling minority groups.Criticism of labelling theoryOne of the criticisms of the theory is that it is impractical. Empirical tests have not been tested on the population and it therefore cannot be taken to be accurate. It is difficult to test and many sociologists do not perceive it to be a true theory. Another impuissance of this theory is that it does not explain primary deviance.7This theory only explains secondary deviance but does not explain what motivates one to commit primary deviance. It is therefore perceived to be inconclusive. Further research should be do on the labelling theory in order to determine whether it is accurate and relevant to the society today.Summary and conclusionDifferent aspects of the labelling theory have been discussed. Labelling has been seen to relieve crime and deviant behaviour through encouraging people to act according to labels which are attached to them. Init ially criminal activities may be unintentional or intentional depending on the actor, and this is the primary stage of deviance. However, sequent crimes may be committed as a result of labelling and this is the secondary stage of deviance. In order to reduce crime we should reduce the negative connotations which are given to people, especially criminals. The society should take crime as a mistake committed by a person, which should be change by reversal through rehabilitation, rather than admitting that crime is the nature of the person.Goffman has also been seen to discuss stigma, and this is important in explaining the labelling theory. Due to the assumptions discussed by Goffman, criminals are stigmatised and this encourages them to commit criminal acts according to labels designated to them. However, the research done on labelling theory is inconclusive due to the weaknesses which have been discussed. The absence of practical tests and inability to explain primary deviance sho ws that to a greater extent research is needed on the topic. This will prove whether labelling theory is applicable to the modern society. This paper is useful to sociology students, law makers, health care practitioners, law enforcers and the general public since it enables all these groups understand the nature of crime.