Symbolic Interactionism and Labelling Theory

Dan Ellingworth

Tuesday, 2 December 2008

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”

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

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

Source Becker (1963) Outsiders Obedient Behaviour Rule-Breaking Behaviour

Perceived as Deviant Falsely Accused Pure Deviant

Not Perceived as Deviant

Conforming Secret Deviant

“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”

Task: How are the following actions responded to differently?

• Killing

• Swearing

• Drinking

• Speeding

Different behaviour can be perceived and interpreted differently

To understand crime, we need to therefore understand:-

• The Behaviour and

• The Reaction to it

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

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

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

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

Key Groups in the Labelling perspective

• Law Makers

• Law Breakers

• Law Enforcers

• The Reactors (i.e. the public), and those who influence them

Moral Panics

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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”