SOC-3340 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Symbolic Interactionism, Labeling Theory, 18 Months

• School: App State
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC-3340
• Professor: Kenneth Sanchagrin

Document Summary

Labeling theory and shaming theory (group conflict theory: group conflict assumptions: law reflects conflict; behavior is relative; delinquency is motivated, labeling theory. Symbolic interactionism is focused on how people respond in a certain social situation. 1) social situation : enact behavior imagine how we appear to others . Interpret the reactions of others refine behavior : the self develops. Taking the role of the other : think about peoples reactions. Labeling theories view delinquency or criminality as a concept of self that some people obtain through interactions. Labels help to define how we see ourselves. Those labeled as criminal/delinquent (rightly or wrongly) may begin to act according to their labels (act more like criminals/delinquents). Tannenbaum"s dramatization of evil: normal kid behavior viewed as a problem , community attitudes toward the child harden . 3: kid is labeled as deviant by the community and self-stigmatization.