Chapter 3
Constructionist Theories
Introduction
• Constructionist theories of deviance are less interested in causes –And concentrate on the meanings of
deviance • How people behave in keeping with those meanings
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Labeling Theory
• A version of symbolic interactionism; emphasizes importance of labeling
• Two central ideas:
– Deviance involves interaction between deviant and conventional people
– Interaction between the deviant and the conformists is governed by:
• The meanings that they impute (assign) to each other's actions and reactions
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Labeling Theory
Causes of deviant behavior are not important; only the labels are important•Labelers represent: law and order (police, judges, prison officials, etc.)
– And conventional morality; power (generally are rich and white);
– And have the ability to avoid negative labels despite engaging in deviant behavior
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Labeling Theory
• Deviance labels produce negative consequences for those receiving label:• Tendency to see themselves as deviant,
which leads to continued deviant behavior
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Labeling Theory
Lemert:
– Primary (initial act of deviance that occurs before a deviance label is applied/accepted)
• Vs. secondary deviation - deviance that results from deviance labels being applied and internalized by the social actor
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Labeling Theory
Erikson: deviance creates positive consequences for the:
– Community, group, or individuals that apply the label
– The most important being preservation and strengthening of social cohesion and social order.
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8
Labeling Theory
How did Howard Becker apply labeling theoryto the use of marijuana?
How does one become a marijuana user?
Labeling Theory
• Criticism of labeling theory:
– can’t explain causes of deviance
– deviant label does NOT encourage further deviance
– underestimates role of powerful
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Phenomenological Theory
• Delves into people's subjectivity, including: – Consciousness, perceptions, attitudes,
feelings, and opinions about deviance
• Critical of positivists – deviance based on their (the positivist’s) own: – Preconceived notions of morality and
understanding of deviance
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Phenomenological Theory
• Positivists: – Humans are passive objects whose behavior
is determined by forces beyond their control
• Phenomenologists: – People are active subjects capable of
intending and carrying out their own behavior
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Phenomenological Theory
• Positivists: objective view, based on abstract meanings
• Phenomenologists: – Study situated meanings and the subject's
interpretation of their own behavior
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Phenomenological Theory
Use of ethnography (applied phenomenology) –How deviants see and feel about themselves–Garfinkle: study of sex change patients–Katz: study of murders/robbers
• Criticism of phenomenologists:–Failure to develop a practical way to understand deviance–Influenced by own beliefs, judgments, ideas
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Conflict Theory
• Modern society is pluralistic, diverse, and full of conflicts
• Social conflict: incompatible interests, needs, and desires of diverse groups
• Cultural conflict: discrepant norms and values regarding right and wrong
• Both lead to crime
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Conflict Theory
• Chambliss: identified the difference between law on the books & law in action– Enforcement of law is often unfair– Interests of ruling class is strongly favored
• Quinney: blames unjust law on the capitalist system – Calls for political action against powerful class
who inevitably criminalizes the powerless
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Figure 3.1 Quinney’s Social Reality Theory
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Conflict Theory
• Feminist theory: theories of deviance are primarily about men and not women
• Power theory: emphasizes how power inequality (disparity) affects deviance
• Powerful are more likely to get involved in profitable deviance than the powerless – Engage primarily in less profitable deviance
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Conflict Theory
• Postmodernist theory:
– Criticizes the positivist search for objective truth and deconstructs
– Or analyzes phenomena to understand their component parts
• In the same way phenomenologists try to reduce subjective experiences
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Conflict Theory
• Criticism of conflict theory:
– Can’t explain common-law crimes and vices
– Wrong in assuming that a utopian, socialist society would be free of deviant behavior
© 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
© 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
© 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.