Labeling Theory

Review of “Classic” Labeling Reintegrative Shaming

Defiance Theory

The Classic Labeling Process

Primary Deviance

•Most engage in this

•Typically sporadic, not serious

Formal Sanctions

•Degradation ceremony

•Stigmatizing

Change in Self-Concept

•looking glass self

•hard to resist formal label

Secondary Deviance

•Caused by new self-image as criminal or deviant

Criticisms of Labeling

1. Typically history of antisocial behavior prior to formal labeling Society doesn’t “identify, tag, and sanction

individuals as deviant in a vacuum.”

2. Controlling initial levels of deviance, formal sanctions have little (no?) effect.

3. No “negotiation,” obsession with “formal” sanctions...

John Braithwaite

Austrailian CriminologistCrime, Shame, and Reintegration

Pretty complex theory (Not parsimonious) BUT, Central concepts are not that complex

Reintegrative Shaming vs. Stigmatization Interdependency Communitarianism

What is “shaming?”

Behaviors (from others) that induce guilt, shame snide comment, verbal confrontations stocks/pillory, the “scarlet letter” Naval tradition of “captains mask”

In Western society, shaming has become uncoupled from formal punishment Offenders privately sent away to warehouses

by corrections or court “officials”

Braithwaite II

Interdependency “attachment” with social others (indirect control at

micro level)

Communitarianism similar to “collective efficacy” (control at macro)

In communities that lack collective efficacy, and among people who are less bonded, stigmatizing punishment is likely.

Types of “Shaming”

Reintegrative Love the sinner, hate the sin Spank the child, but tell them that you still love them

Stigmatizing no effort made to reconcile the offender with the

community offender as outcast, “criminal” as master status degradation ceremonies not followed by ceremonies to

“decertify” deviance

Examples of Shaming

Stigmatizing United States Court, prison, etc. (remove and shun from

community)

Reintegrative Japan Ceremonies to shame and welcome back

The Model

Interdependency

(MICRO)

Communitarianism

(MACRO)

Type of Punishment

•Reintegrative Shaming

•Stigmatizing

Legitimate Opportunities

Criminal Subculture

High Crime

Evidence for Reintegrative Shaming?

Japan vs. U.S. crime rates Since WWII, Japan U.S.(others)

Why? High Interdependency and Communitarianism Reintegrative Shaming emphasized Community has duty to shame and welcome

back transgressors

Implications of Braithwaite?

Restorative Justice Emphasis on “repairing harm”

Punishment alone is not effective in changing behavior and is disruptive to community harmony and good relationships

Restitution as a means of restoring both parties; goal of reconciliation and restoration

Community involvement Crime control the domain of the community Community as facilitator in restorative process Crime has social dimensions of responsibility Victims are central to the process of resolving a crime

Lawrence Sherman “Defiance Theory”

Defiance “the net increase in the prevalence, incidence,

or seriousness of the future offending against a sanctioning community caused by a proud, shameless reaction to the administration of a criminal sanction.”

What causes defiance?

Sanctions are defined as “unfair” Sanctioning agent behaves with disrespect for the

offender or his/her group The sanction is actually unfair (discriminatory,

excessive, undeserved)

Offender is poorly bonded to sanctioning agent or community

Offenders defines sanctioning as stigmatizing (reject the person)

Offenders denies or refuses to