Labeling theory is among the most crucial slants to understanding criminal and deviant behavior. One of the basic and main argument of labeling theory is that there is no doing that is naturally felonious. Personalities in power define criminality by developing laws which are implemented by the law courts, police, and correctional bodies(Cullen, 1988).
It mainly argues that the strong define terms for the weak. For instance the rich for the poor, man to woman, aged people to younger ones, and the majority to the minority. Therefore, deviance is not defined by individuals’ characters, but by the interface of the non-deviant and the deviant as interpreted by the law.
The labeling theory gives an account of why crime occurs in the society. According to the theory, once individuals are labeled as deviant, they tend to accept the status and act in deviant ways. The people labeled as deviant are not accepted in their society which leads to cases of stigmatization and hence propagating crime(Lawrence & Felson , 1979).
The label affects the individuals even if they decide to conform to the norms of the society. An example is people with criminal records find it hard to secure job opportunities. This increases unemployment which plays a key role in increased criminal activity.
According to the labeling theorists, punishment is not a solution to reducing crime rate in a given society. In fact, they argue that punishment can escalate small crime issues into bigger ones. The theory shifts focus from the criminal to the reactor on the crime. It suggests that, for punishment to be effective, the wrong act should be condemned without condemning the personality of the criminal(Schmid & Jones, 1991).
The Term Paper on Theories Of Crime part 1
Theories of Crime Name Course Professor Date Theory can have different meanings depending on the field of knowledge that it is used as well as the kind of methodology and context of its discussion. Common usage defines theory as an opinion or a speculation. It may not be based on facts and may not even be a description of reality. There are several criteria for a good theory. In order to determine ...
However, deterrence theory gives a contradicting perception from that of the labeling theory on punishment. It believes that punishment helps the punished persons reduce their engagement in unlawful acts and instill fear to the rest of the population concerning crime.
Social learning theory postulates that individuals tend to learn criminal attitudes and practice from their peers practicing illegal deeds. People engage in crime if they believe they will reap more benefit compared to the adverse consequences involved. Therefore, punishment does not necessarily reduce the rate of crime in case the perceived benefits of crime outdo the consequences. This makes the criminal labeling theory related to the social learning as they both argue against punishment as the best form of crime reduction(Cullen, 1988).
Social control theory can also be related to the labeling theory. It is believed that all persons have the urge to commit a crime, however, the society bond and values help in killing such motives in many people(Lawrence & Felson , 1979).
The theory also assumes that building strong self-image among individuals helps to reduce their urge to commit a crime. Therefore, labeling the wrong doers adversely affects the self-image of affected individuals and hence increase their desire to commit a crime.
From a labeling perspective, some of the few policy suggestions include, equal application of law across the social class and other social differences, no stigmatization after punishment, and negative social labels should not be made before one is found guilty and the label should be removed once the victim has served his/her punishment. Labeling theory assumes that influential people in society make laws for the less influential citizens. A policy to make these laws applicable equally even to the law makers will enhance sound law making decisions. Social labels tend to stigmatize the victims even after they have turned away from criminal activities. Policies to avert such stigma will make punishments produce positive results and enhance values in the society.
The Term Paper on Social Theory Examination Paper
The way individuals learn to interact with society as children tends to predict how they will interact with society and respond to its environments as adults. There are social theories that help the understanding of why individuals choose deviant behaviors and how they progress through life. Social process theories view criminal and deviant criminal behaviors as evolving mechanisms learned through ...
References
Cullen, F. T. (1988).
Were Cloward and Ohlin Strain Theorists? Delinquency and Opportunity Revisited. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 214-241.
Lawrence, C., & Felson , M. (1979).
Social Change and Crime Rate Trends: A Routine Activities Approach. American Sociological Review, 588-608.
Schmid, T., & Jones, R. (1991).
Suspended Identity: Identity Transformation in a Maximum Security Prison. Symbolic Interaction, 4, 415-432.
