Crime and Deviance

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of guessling theory as an explanation of pervert behaviour. (40 marks) Labelling theorists such(prenominal)(prenominal) as Becker and Lemert argue that because of the diversity of different set in society, at that place can never be a universally agree definition of what contri simplyes normal or deviate behaviour. What is deviant for adept person may not be deviant for another. An spokesperson of this would be consumption of alcohol, as it is legal in the westernmost but against the law in Saudi Arabia due(p) to their religious beliefs. Deviance, thusly is a mater of interpretation requiring not one but two kneadivities: gathering or soulfulness must lay out in a particular behavior and another group or individual with different values and more reason label the initial activity as deviant. Therefore the act only becomes deviant via interpretation or cordial reaction. As Becker notes, social groups create deviance by m aking the rules whose intrusion constitutes deviance, and by applying those rules to particular people they label them as outsiders. In other words, the powerful, by making the rules/laws, restrain what counts as deviance. For example, the bosom illuminate forge rules for the working class; men make rules for women etcetera

Labelling theory has tended to focus on societal reactions to deviance. In particular, they have focused on the role of agents of social control, e.g. the law and media who they suggest label on behalf of the powerful. Numerous studies of the law of nature from a labelling perspective (e.g. Cicourel, Holdaw ay, etc.) betoken that stereotyping or labe! lling by near police mat result in some groups (i.e. the childly and blacks) existence over-proportionately represented in the criminal statistics. Studies of the media by Cohen, Young, etc. indicate that media societal reaction may result in groups such as gays being labelled folk devils (such as back up carriers, child molesters, etc.) and moral panics being created around them. much(prenominal) societal...If you want to fit a full essay, order it on our website: BestEssayCheap.com

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