Labeling Theories and the Meaning of Crime

1. Labeling Theories and the Meaning of Crime

2. Meaning of crime to the self • Symbolic interactionism – our self-image is shaped by social interaction • Labeling theory – we think of ourselves as others define us • As children grow older and engage in increasingly adventurous activities, their labels can change from “just being a kid,” to “a good kid acting badly”, to “a bad kid” • Lemert- general theory of deviance • Criminal behavior starts due to other factors (biological, sociological, social learning, etc.) • If bad behavior persists outsiders may label someone as “delinquent” and attach the social meanings of the label • Those who continue behaving poorly adopt the self-image of a delinquent, as such are defined by society • This “redefinition of self” persists independently of the original causes of the behavior

3. Meaning of crime to oneself –Labeling process • BUT many who commit crime don’t consider themselves “criminals” • Maintaining a non-criminal self-image is important • Justifications and neutralizers used to excuse conduct • “Just borrowing the money” “They can afford it” “They had it coming” • To make labels stick society applies threats and sanctions • Criminal law is the ultimate threat to one’s identity • Criminal processing is a “degradation ceremony” • Sticky labels – such as convictions and imprisonment – can make it difficult for those so labeled to reform • Redefinition of self (justifications no longer work) • Violator ostracized from conventional society • Cannot obtain legitimate employment • Must turn to deviance to satisfy social and material needs

4. Arguments against labeling... • Labeling theorists overemphasize its power • Labeling does not automatically lead to deviancy • Some deviants may actually seek out the label • Typical law-abiding persons are law-abiding because they want to avoid being labeled • Reducing the stigma may INCREASE criminal behavior • Juveniles may be more affected by what others think of them, especially their parents, than what society or the authorities think • If thought of as “rule violators” may choose to live up to these expectations

5. A different approach:What crime “means” to criminals • Katz – “Seductions of Crime” • Crime cannot be explained by “background variables” (race, class, gender, demography, etc.) • Crime best explained by examining “foreground” variables: • What does it feel like to commit a crime? • What are criminals trying to accomplish? • Crime motivated by the need to transcend “moral challenges” • Passion killers: escape humiliating situation • Delinquents: demonstrate personal competence • Gang members: response to “humbling” by conventional society • Crime reinforced by the “thrill” of its commission • “Lived meanings” of organized and white collar crime • Satisfaction of “getting it over” on “marks” • Joys of thumbing one’s nose at conventional society

6. Zimbardo:Why good people turn evil • Evil defined in non-legalistic terms as intentionally harming or degrading others • No “following orders” excuse • Moral imperatives to “defend the homeland” give acts legitimacy • Stereotyping and dehumanizing others removes them from the actor’s “moral sphere” • Heavy situational pressures on people’s behavior blurs line between criminals and non-criminals • Effect of individual traits is questioned • But why do some act badly, while others resist?

7. Meaning of crime to society • Societies “create” crime by passing laws • Campaigns against crime are in everyone’s name, but can benefit only select groups • Economically • Law against vagrancy used to create pool of cheap labor • Defining drug users as criminals creates a demand for law enforcement, prosecutors, etc. • Symbolically • Temperance movement reasserted Protestant values • Groups must gain power to define who’s deviant

8. Controlology • Criminal justice only one of many mechanisms used by State to control “problem” populations • Education, mental health, mass media (?) • Purpose of these mechanisms is more than just control -- it’s “to manifest state power” • Over time rationale has shifted from crude to sophisticated excuses • Public executions  rehabilitation • Iron fist remains hidden in the “velvet glove” • Much in common with Marxist and critical criminology