Labeling Theory l Review of Classic Labeling l
Labeling Theory l. Review of “Classic” Labeling l. Reintegrative Shaming l. Defiance Theory
The Classic Labeling Process Formal Sanctions Primary Deviance • Most engage in this • Typically sporadic, not serious • Degradation ceremony • Stigmatizing Change in Self-Concept • looking glass self • hard to resist formal label Secondary Deviance • Caused by new self-image as criminal or deviant
Criticisms of Labeling 1. Typically history of antisocial behavior prior to formal labeling ¡ Society doesn’t “identify, tag, and sanction individuals as deviant in a vacuum. ” 2. Controlling initial levels of deviance, formal sanctions have little (no? ) effect. 3. No “negotiation, ” obsession with “formal” sanctions. . .
John Braithwaite l Austrailian Criminologist l Crime, Shame, and Reintegration l Pretty complex theory (Not parsimonious) ¡ BUT, Central concepts are not that complex Reintegrative Shaming vs. Stigmatization l Interdependency l Communitarianism l
What is “shaming? ” l Behaviors (from others) that induce guilt, shame ¡ snide comment, verbal confrontations ¡ stocks/pillory, the “scarlet letter” ¡ Naval tradition of “captains mask” l In Western society, shaming has become uncoupled from formal punishment ¡ Offenders privately sent away to warehouses by corrections or court “officials”
Braithwaite II l Interdependency ¡ “attachment” with social others (indirect control at micro level) l Communitarianism ¡ l similar to “collective efficacy” (control at macro) In communities that lack collective efficacy, and among people who are less bonded, stigmatizing punishment is likely.
Types of “Shaming” l Reintegrative ¡ ¡ Love the sinner, hate the sin Spank the child, but tell them that you still love them l Stigmatizing ¡ ¡ ¡ no effort made to reconcile the offender with the community offender as outcast, “criminal” as master status degradation ceremonies not followed by ceremonies to “decertify” deviance
Examples of Shaming l Stigmatizing ¡ United States ¡ Court, prison, etc. (remove and shun from community) l Reintegrative ¡ Japan ¡ Ceremonies to shame and welcome back
The Model Interdependency Communitarianism (MICRO) (MACRO) Type of Punishment • Reintegrative Shaming • Stigmatizing Legitimate Opportunities Criminal Subculture High Crime
Evidence for Reintegrative Shaming? l Japan vs. U. S. crime rates ¡ Since WWII, Japan U. S. (others) l Why? ¡ High Interdependency and Communitarianism ¡ Reintegrative Shaming emphasized ¡ Community has duty to shame and welcome back transgressors
Implications of Braithwaite? l Restorative ¡ Emphasis on “repairing harm” l l ¡ Justice Punishment alone is not effective in changing behavior and is disruptive to community harmony and good relationships Restitution as a means of restoring both parties; goal of reconciliation and restoration Community involvement l l Crime control the domain of the community Community as facilitator in restorative process Crime has social dimensions of responsibility Victims are central to the process of resolving a crime
Lawrence Sherman “Defiance Theory” l Defiance ¡ “the net increase in the prevalence, incidence, or seriousness of the future offending against a sanctioning community caused by a proud, shameless reaction to the administration of a criminal sanction. ”
What causes defiance? l Sanctions are defined as “unfair” ¡ ¡ Sanctioning agent behaves with disrespect for the offender or his/her group The sanction is actually unfair (discriminatory, excessive, undeserved) Offender is poorly bonded to sanctioning agent or community l Offenders defines sanctioning as stigmatizing (reject the person) l Offenders denies or refuses to l
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