Download Labelling Theory: Evaluation

Labelling Theory: Evaluation.
When labelling theory first emerged in the 1960s it quickly became very influential
and many sociologists began to apply to a wide range of areas within sociology.
Goffman used it to study mental illness, Lemert applied to the phenomenon of stuttering. However it has not been without its critics. Some of the main criticisms of this
approach are:
Criticisms
1. Their definition of crime states that crime is socially constructed and depends on
societal reaction. However Taylor, Walton and Young point out that this is not the only
defining feature. It is possible to talk about deviant "acts" or "crimes" since most social rules are given. We have no choice how to interpret acts such as murder or the
deliberate taking of life for personal gain.
2. The origins of crime. Labelling theory fails to explain why people commit deviant
acts in the first place. according to Lemert it is not necessary because everyone commits deviant acts therefore it is only those to whom rules are applied that we need to
consider. But:
 Not every one commits the same deviant act. Therefore different forms of rule
breaking need to be explained.
 Deviants are aware that their law breaking activities are against the law whether or not they are labelled.
 It is wrong to think primary deviance will have no effect on the deviant’s selfconcept.
3. Labelling is deterministic. It appears as though once labelled, the deviant has
little choice but to continue along a deviant career path.
4. Labelling theory fails to explain why:
 The police etc., see particular groups as a problem. (E.g. why so often black
people and working class people.)
 We have some laws and not others.
5. Interactionism has been accused of being only concerned with trivial or exotic
forms of deviance such as marijuana users, rent boys etc.
6. Gender. Like other areas of the sociology of deviance, labelling theories are only
concerned with male deviance.