CRM 2302 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Law Abiding Citizen, Mass Murder, Consumerism
CRM2302 | Adina Ilea | ailea028@uottawa.ca
Pluralist theories: the idea that the world is composed of many different theories. How we
interpret the world forms opinions
Can you think of something that was once considered criminal that is not anymore?
OR
Can you think of something that was considered normal and is now considered normal and is now
considered criminal?
Do you think all individuals have the same chance of being found guilty of a crime? No
What effective do race and class have on this? Both factors greatly impact this (i.e., Brock
Turner, Justin Trudeau’s younger brother -was found possessing marijuana, former PM Pierre
Trudeau made the charge go away)
January 11th
Societal reaction theory
What constitutes deviant or criminal is socially constructed
Individuals in society hold different interests, values and views
Society is characterized not by consensus but by differences.
Labelling theory (related to symbolic interactionism), symbolic interaction, conflict theory are
main theories that we will be focusing on
Symbolic interactionism
Human actions are best understood in terms of the meanings that those actions have for
actors
1st, individual defines the meaning of situations
Symbolic interactionism was developed by Mead
People experience the same situation differently
The interaction comes from the interactions from other people
We do not construct these identities on our own, but only through interactions with others
To claim an identity is an interactional process
Four general areas in symbolic interaction theory
The meaning of crime to the self: labelling theory
The self is very important in symbolic interactionism. Beginning in the 1930s, there was focus on
why society labels some people as criminals. This also focuses on how the label will affect future
behaviours. In the 1960s, theorists who picked up labelling theory wanted to see how the
criminals psychologically interpreted their criminality, and labelling theory contradicted this.
I the 1960s there was a wave of social movements that questioned authority and societal
constraints. More emphasis placed on minorities within the population. This was a natural
answer to why some people are unfairly targeted by the CJS
Self image= the meaning people give to themselves
“The youth saw themselves as participating in play groups” The young people were just acting as
their peers, and adults interpreted their actions as deviant. Because of this label, some youths
began viewing themselves as deviant due to their actions being labelled as Deviant.
Lemert. Primary and Secondary Deviance. Primary deviance they do not believe they are a
criminal. A defense mechanism. Similar to Doughboy in Boyz in the Hood. He shifts to
Secondary Deviance where he knows he is deviant and is aware of their criminal self image.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
When one believes people view them as criminals, they are more likely to fulfill this expectation
and actually act deviant.
The formal and informal processes of social control can increase criminal behavior because the
labelling process increases the likelihood that the person will develop a criminal self image.
Critiques of labelling theory:
Some people reject the label, plus you do not need the police to intervene and say that you are
bad for you to acknowledge that you are
The meaning of crime to the criminal: Katz’s Seduction of Crime
What are people trying to do when they commit crime?
Katz wanted to understand the meaning of crime. What are they trying to accomplish? He
believes that people are engaging in a project. Involves an emotional base with a strong moral
component. ie) Adolescents shoplifting= demonstrate competency.
ie) cold blooded killer
How do they perceive their specific situation. Not based on biological factors, linked to how they
interact within society.
The meaning of crime to the large society:Deviance and Social Reaction
How does the person react when they are labelled?
How does society react?
Society reacts to crime by creating laws. Society labels certain behaviours as deviant then
attempt to minimize these behaviours by creating laws. Not only are the acts themselves being
labelled deviant, but also the people committing them. The meaning that act is given by society at
large.
This also allows people in society to accept things that the government does as acceptable even if
they are not moral or legal.
Process of having “crimes” and “scapegoats” which is important for social solidarity.
Us vs them/Good vs evil simplified.
This process by which society deems something as bad or criminal. Acts aren't important, but the
process for which this happens. “ I don't engage in behavior that those people do”
The meaning of crime within the context of state power: Contrology(Social Control)
Focus on the actual groups who define people as deviant. Issues of power, who has the power to
control other people. More like Social Control theory.
Criminal Justice Agencies= Welfare systems, education and other state agencies to control “
problem “ populations.
Foucault purpose is so power can be seen who is in control. Public Spectacle. State for way to
show its power.
Directed at the soul of the person rather than their actual body.
Questions whether what the state does is benign or natural. Also shows how the state aims to
control these problem populations. These control mechanisms are reasonable, humane, and
necessary.
Howard Becker article-How to become a Marihuana User (1953).
Piano player who achieved his PHd at the age of 23, became interested in how people
make sense of their day to day life. Associated to labelling theory and social
interactionism.
Becker states his hoped accomplishment from this article was to limit drug use in general
Marijuana smoking is a learned activity and social game
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
If you are smoking pot, there must be something in you biologically or psychologically to
allow you to participate within this escapism.
Becker work shows how certain people within society are following different kinds of
rules.
He was interested in finding out what one who is considered deviant did.
Certain Criminological theories about why people behave in certain ways.
At that time, drug use was private and convulsive.
He interviewed people who smoke pot to figure out why they were smoking pot- was a
big deal. Was not pleasurable at first, certain steps one must due for that behavior to
stick.
You must learn how to correctly smoke weed, and if they don't get high/don't feel an
effect, they won't do it again
Interpreting the feeling is actually associated with the marijuana of actually being high.
This is an interactional process.
Smoking pot is a social activity, and something people will enjoy.
January 16th
Symbolic Interactionism
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM: basic understanding, very simple
Also known as the Chicago School or Interactionist perspective
Sociologists: Cooley; Mead; Blummer; Goffman(2 readings); Becker; Tannenbaum;
Lemert.
Terms:
Labelling
Looking-glass self concept (Cooley): one's perspective of themself is found through
others perspective of them
Dramatization of evil; tagging (Tannenbaum)
Primary & secondary deviance (Lemert): primary is when they choose not to reject the
label of criminal, secondary is when they accept it and act accordingly
Stigma; Presentation of self (Goffman)
Master status (Becker)
VIEW OF PEOPLE & SOCIETY (1)
Human beings are social creatures or actors
Human behaviour is the product of purely social symbols communicated between
individuals- communicate through language and symbols
The mind and the self are not innate but are products of the social environment
Through the process of communicating (or symbolizing), humans come to define
both themselves and others
View of people and Society (2)
Cooley’s (1902) “looking-glass self”
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Pluralist theories: the idea that the world is composed of many different theories. Turner, justin trudeau"s younger brother -was found possessing marijuana, former pm pierre. What constitutes deviant or criminal is socially constructed. Individuals in society hold different interests, values and views. Society is characterized not by consensus but by differences. Labelling theory (related to symbolic interactionism), symbolic interaction, conflict theory are main theories that we will be focusing on. Human actions are best understood in terms of the meanings that those actions have for actors. The interaction comes from the interactions from other people. We do not construct these identities on our own, but only through interactions with others. To claim an identity is an interactional process. The meaning of crime to the self: labelling theory. The self is very important in symbolic interactionism. Beginning in the 1930s, there was focus on why society labels some people as criminals.
