Labeling and Criminology

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a critical analysis of the implications of labeling theory, both for the discipline of criminology and for policymakers today and in the future. The paper contends that the fundamental assumption of labeling theory is that perceived negative societal reactions will inevitably lead to the development of negative self-conceptions and greater criminal involvement. A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion.
Outline
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Labeling Theory
Implications for Criminologists
Implications for Policymakers
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"An increasingly common phrase being heard in America today is "Don't label me!" This reaction may be largely in response to the persistent and lingering aspects of a dangerous practice that has been proven time and again to be largely ineffective for criminal justice and policy-making purposes, but which does not seem to be going anywhere soon. According to Freilich, Raybeck and Savishinsky (1991), George Herbert Mead and his colleagues at the Chicago School were among the first sociologists to emphasize both social process and the role of individual perception in the construction of social life. "Their influence is reflected in a recent, major treatment of deviance, namely, labeling theory, which is largely the work of Howard Becker (1963), Albert Cohen, (1962), Edwin Lemert (1967) and others. In sum, labeling theory maintains that deviance is a social construct. Freilich et al. note, "The members of society decide what they mean by the term and then label individuals whose behavior is perceived as departing from accepted norms. The labelees, in turn, find themselves marginalized, prevented from engaging in certain forms of social participation, and encouraged to conceive of themselves as deviant" (20)."

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