Interactionist Explanations of Crime
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of interactionist theories regarding crime?

  • Systematic patterns of criminal behavior
  • The influence of economic factors
  • Individual interactions and meanings (correct)
  • The structures of society

    • What does Becker's labelling theory suggest about deviant behavior?

  • It results from societal reactions and labels (correct)
  • It is inherent in certain individuals
  • It is a result of economic deprivation
  • It is only identified after a crime is committed

    • What distinguishes primary deviance from secondary deviance?

  • Primary deviance is never acknowledged socially.
  • Primary deviance occurs only among known criminals.
  • Secondary deviance is when an individual is labeled as deviant. (correct)
  • Secondary deviance is seen as a rare occurrence.

    • According to interactionist explanations, what role do institutions like the police and courts play in crime?

    <p>They serve to enforce social norms and labels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do interactionists view the concept of crime?

    <p>Crime is an evolving construct influenced by social interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the concept of a self-fulfilling prophecy as described by Philips and Bowling?

    <p>An incorrect assumption that leads to actions which confirm the assumption.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is credited as the founding figure of interactionism in relation to deviance?

    <p>Howard Becker</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of crime does interactionism emphasize compared to structuralism?

    <p>The significance of individual agency and interactions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Philips and Bowling, what is a consequence of the disproportionate stop and search of black men?

    <p>Development of a culture of distrust within black culture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do Functionalists view the stop and search rate policy suggested by Philips and Bowling?

    <p>It is justified as a reflection of the need for increased policing in certain groups.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can interactionist ideas influence social policy?

    <p>By promoting community engagement and rehabilitation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What rationale does Murray provide for the increased stop and search rates among black men?

    <p>They are statistically less likely to have a father figure present.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What criticism is directed at the views of Philips and Bowling?

    <p>They ignore the potential benefits of racial profiling.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are middle-class juveniles typically defined in the context of juvenile justice?

    <p>As ill and accidentally straying rather than committed to wrongdoing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What concept is associated with Stan Cohen's analysis of youth subcultures?

    <p>Deviance amplification.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Marxists, what role do the police play in the context of social control?

    <p>They are instruments of the bourgeoisie to target the working class.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What criticism do McRobbie and Thornton have about Cohen's ideas?

    <p>They think multiple media outlets dilute the creation of folk devils.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one key characteristic of how moral panics can be formed, as described in Cohen's analysis?

    <p>They can intensify as a result of sensationalized media reports.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best explains Cicourel's perspective on juvenile justice?

    <p>Justice outcomes are influenced by social negotiations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do folk devils represent according to Cohen's framework?

    <p>Groups that are misrepresented and stigmatized by society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of modern media does Castells suggest reduces the likelihood of moral panic?

    <p>The availability of personal video recording devices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first stage of the labelling process identified by Becker?

    <p>A moral entrepreneur tries to attach a label to an act of secondary deviance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can a label become a master status according to Becker?

    <p>It overshadows all other statuses held by the individual</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might happen as a result of a self-fulfilling prophecy in the labelling process?

    <p>The individual may start exhibiting deviant behaviors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way can individuals assert their identity according to Becker?

    <p>By rejecting the label and negotiating their identity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What led to the successful outlawing of cannabis in the USA according to Becker?

    <p>A campaign that appealed to common societal values</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a belief that was leveraged in the campaign against cannabis?

    <p>That people must control their actions and decisions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following reflects a misconception about labelling in Becker's theory?

    <p>A person cannot reject a label once assigned</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do moral entrepreneurs play in the labelling process?

    <p>They label activities as deviant or criminal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term did Becker use to describe the campaign related to moral movements?

    <p>Moral Crusade</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Cicourel, what role do police play in the labelling of youth?

    <p>Moral Entrepreneurs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first stage in the process of defining a young person as delinquent according to Cicourel?

    <p>Police interrogation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factors influence the police's decision to label a young person as suspicious?

    <p>Geographical location and Appearance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Cicourel's findings showed that middle-class juveniles were less likely to be charged with an offense because:

    <p>Their backgrounds did not fit the delinquent stereotype</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Cicourel discover about the relationship between social class and delinquency?

    <p>Working-class youth are more likely to be defined as delinquents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do middle-class parents influence the labelling process of their children?

    <p>By negotiating on behalf of their child</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the 'meanings' held by police in the context of delinquency?

    <p>They influence arrest decisions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Interactionist Explanations of Crime

    • Interactionism contrasts with structuralist theories (functionalism, Marxism, feminism)
    • Interactionists focus on the micro-level interactions between individuals rather than large-scale social structures
    • Crime is socially constructed, meaning it's not inherently fixed, but relative and influenced by time and culture
    • Crime and criminals are created through social interaction with the police, courts, and media
    • Howard Becker's labelling theory: deviancy isn't inherent in the act, but results from the application of rules and sanctions by others
    • Primary deviance: most people commit deviant acts, but only some are labelled
    • Secondary deviance: the process of being labelled and having a deviant identity reinforce further deviance, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy

    Howard Becker (1963)

    • Identified a five-stage labelling process:
      • Moral entrepreneurs attempt to label an act as deviant
      • The labelled person may accept the label
      • The label can become a master status overriding other aspects of their identity
      • A self-fulfilling prophecy might occur, where the label leads to further deviance
      • A person can reject the label or negotiate meaning, influencing their self-concept
    • Becker's example of cannabis use in the USA illustrates how a moral crusade can lead to criminalization.

    Cicourel (Negotiation of Justice)

    • Cicourel studies how police practices affect labelling
    • Police have pre-conceived notions about what constitutes suspicious/criminal behavior in specific areas, influencing their interactions with people and their potential arrest
    • Interactions are influenced by the appearance, communication style, etc. of the individuals, creating a 'negotiable' justice system.
    • Interaction between the police and individuals influences the outcomes for those interactions.
    • The outcome is affected by social factors and social class.

    Criticisms of Becker

    • Akers criticizes Becker for failing to explain why particular groups are labeled as deviant.
    • Functionalists argue that Becker neglects that some individuals commit crimes for specific reasons.
    • Neo-Marxists argue that labelling of certain groups serves to distract from broader societal issues (e.g. capitalist economic problems).

    Cohen's Deviance Amplification

    • Cohen's study of Mods and Rockers highlights moral panics and how media can amplify deviance.
    • He explores the creation of a 'folk devil' image, and how media coverage creates fear and social concern, in turn amplifying the problem
    • Criticism- media coverage is now more varied, including user-generated content, meaning that deviancy amplification may not be as effective

    Philips and Bowling (racial profiling)

    • Philips and Bowling argue that the police disproportionately target ethnic minorities, particularly black men, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy
    • They suggest racial profiling contributes to higher arrest rates in these groups
    • This issue also raises concerns about the fairness and equality of policing practices.
    • Criticism- Functionalists believe that this unequal police approach is necessary for certain social groups and is justified for societal purposes.

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    Interactionist Explanations PDF

    Description

    This quiz explores the interactionist perspective on crime, focusing on how crime is socially constructed through micro-level interactions between individuals. It examines Howard Becker's labelling theory and the concepts of primary and secondary deviance, highlighting the roles of social institutions like the police and media in defining deviance.

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