SOC205H5 Study Guide - Final Guide: Marxist Feminism, Critical Race Theory, Structural Marxism
Document Summary
Labelling theory: rather than focusing on the individual, labeling theory focuses on a different set of questions which is more structural. More of a meso/macro level theory: labelling theory (critical theory) is different from positivist theories because: Positivist looks at criminals as determined behaviour from birth. Positivist sees offenders as fundamentally different than non- criminals. They were born that way and cannot change. Positivist looks at the purpose of punishment as retreat and reform. Positivist theory attempts to explain all crime which 1 single theory cannot do. Criminal behaviour is way too complex for 1 theory to explain everything. It ignores the question of y some behaviours were defined as criminal. It ignores the reason y some cities regulate it harsher than other cities: ex. Brampton punishment for a small amount of weed is punished harsher than it would be in toronto. Focus on individual factors rooted in biological, psychological or social explanations.
