SOCI 2445 Lecture Notes - Frank Tannenbaum, White-Collar Crime, Labeling Theory
19 Apr 2013
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Document Summary
According to labelling theory, we should focus on the interaction between the supposed deviant and other conventional people. According to labelling theory, the meaning that people attach to an act is much more important than the act itself. Labelling theory (a version of symbolic interactionism) in short says that deviance is a dynamic process of interaction between both deviants and non-deviants. According to labelling theory people who represent the forces of law and order (police officer, parole officers, judges) typically apply the deviant label to those who have allegedly violated the law. Edwin lamert furthered a theory developed by frank tannenbaum, and created primary and secondary deviance. Primary deviance- a matter of value conflict, a behaviour that society considers deviant, but the individual doesn"t. Secondary deviance- behaviour becomes secondary deviance when the individual comes to agree with society"s label, and sees the behaviour as deviant.
