Interactionist Explanations of Crime

A perspective that emphasizes the role of social interactions and meanings in shaping our understanding of crime.

The idea that crime is not an objective fact but rather a social construct, defined and made meaningful through social processes.

The process by which individuals are labelled as deviant or criminal, often leading to further deviance.

Deviant acts committed by a person before they are labeled as deviant. This deviance is often minor and undetected.

Deviant acts that occur after a person has been labeled as deviant. It is a response to the label.

The power structures and individuals who define what is deviant and criminal. This can include the police, courts, and media.

The view that social policies should focus on addressing the social and environmental factors that contribute to crime, rather than focusing solely on punishment.

The sociologist who developed labelling theory and is considered a key figure in interactionism.

Individuals with the authority to label others as deviant, such as teachers, police officers, or judges. They initiate the labeling process by publicly identifying an activity as criminal or deviant.

The process where a label, even if inaccurate, becomes accepted by an individual, influencing their self-perception.

A status that dominates all other aspects of an individual's identity, often due to a negative label.

When a label leads to behavior consistent with the label, essentially fulfilling the expectation.

The ability of an individual to reject a label and maintain their own self-image.

The process of attempting to change the perception of a label, often through negotiation with agents of social control.

The act of making something illegal or unacceptable.

The process of influencing public opinion and official policy to achieve a particular goal.

The process of negotiation and interaction that occurs between individuals and institutions, particularly in the context of law enforcement.

The assumptions and interpretations that police officers hold about what constitutes suspicious or criminal behavior.

The idea that interactions between individuals and institutions, such as the police, can influence the way in which someone is labeled as a criminal.

The process of defining and labeling someone as a criminal, which is often influenced by social factors and prejudices.

The stereotype or mental image that police officers have of a typical criminal, which can bias their actions.

The ability of individuals, especially those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, to influence the legal process in their favor.

The idea that social class plays a significant role in how the law is applied and enforced.

The practice of using racial or ethnic stereotypes to determine who is likely to be involved in criminal activity, disproportionately impacting certain groups.

The argument that police actions targeting specific groups may contribute to mistrust and resistance within those communities, leading to further interaction and potential escalation of conflict.

The viewpoint that police activities reflect a consensus about which groups require more policing, implying that these groups pose a greater threat to society.

The idea that the justice system is flexible and can be influenced by social factors like class, leading to different outcomes for different groups. This means that 'justice' is not always fair or equal.

A sociologist who criticized Cicourel's work, arguing that his analysis didn't explain why police had those particular views of delinquent youth.

A situation where the media increases public concern about a social issue, often leading to more police attention and stricter law enforcement, potentially exaggerating the problem.

The term used to describe a group or individual blamed for social problems or disorder. These individuals are often stereotyped and demonized by the media.

The process where media coverage and public attention amplify deviance, often leading to more social control and a widening gap between the 'deviants' and the rest of society.

A classic study of cultural phenomena in Mods and Rockers subcultures where Cohen investigated how moral panic and deviance amplification created exaggerated social problems.

Cohen argued that the media's focus on Mods and Rockers led to increased social control, making the problem worse. He suggested that the police's heightened attention, in response to the media's portrayal, further exacerbated the situation.

McRobbie and Thornton challenged the idea that media could control how we define deviance, arguing that contemporary media is too diverse to create lasting folk devils.