Alcoholic Alcoholic Thief Labelling theory and crime LO

‘Alcoholic’ Alcoholic ‘Thief’ Labelling theory and crime LO: To examine the labelling theory in relation to crime Grade C – describe how a criminal or deviant is someone who has been labelled as such and give examples. Grade B – explain the labelling theory, selffulfilling prophecy and master status. ‘Druggie’ Grade A/A* - explain how the labelling theory is different to other explanations of crime and evaluate the explanation

What is labelling? • The names attached to an individual or group. • Labelling theory does not try to explain why someone commits crime, but looks at how people respond to deviance. • Some people are labelled as deviant by others, and other people are not. �A criminal/deviant is someone who has been labelled as such. ‘Druggie’

Who labels? Who gets labelled? • EVERYONE labels e. g. the public, peers, even the police… • Cicourel: police have a stereotype of what the typical young offender was likely to be: � Black, GLOSSARY: Stereotypes are narrow, fixed ideas about what certain people are like. from a working class area and with a ‘negative attitude’ towards authority. � Those who fit this stereotype are more likely to be arrested than those who don’t.

‘Hoodies’ banned • Bluewater shopping centre has banned youths from wearing hooded tops to stop anti-social behaviour. • Shoppers complained about groups of teenagers hanging around in baseball hats and clothing which covered their faces. WHY? What could this lead to?

What are the effects of labelling? Labelling can lead to: • A self-fulfilling prophecy – this is when a person accepts his/her label and acts accordingly. � For example, a students who tries and drug, then gets labelled as a ‘druggie’ accepts the label and engages in more drug abuse. ‘Druggie’

Don’t talk to him he’s an ‘alcoholic’ What are the effects of labelling? Labelling can lead to: • A master status – this is when a label becomes the most socially visible thing about a person. � For example, a man labelled as an ‘alcoholic’ – believes this AND those around him only see him as an ‘alcoholic’.

Evaluate • Come up with TWO limitations of the labelling theory? Remember to point, explain and provide an example/evidence Consider the following to help you … • Does everyone accept their labels? • What does this explanation fail to consider compared to the four other explanations we have looked at ? (relative deprivation , opportunity structure, inadequate socialisation and peer group )

Plenary • What is the labelling theory of crime and deviance? • What is the difference between a ‘master status’ and a ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’? • How is theory different to other explanations of crime?