Sociology and Labeling Theory Essay examples

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Crime/criminal behavior
Larry Gyll
Indiana Wesylan
CRJ/SOC 246
Nneka Bey
August 05, 2013

I have read and understand the plagiarism policy as outlined in the syllabus and the sections in the Student Catalog relating to the IWU Honesty/Cheating Policy. By affixing this statement to the title page of my paper, I certify that I have not cheated or plagiarized in the process of completing this assignment. If it is found that cheating and /or plagiarism did talk place in the writing of this paper, I understand the possible consequences of the act/s, which could include expulsion from Indiana Wesleyan University.
One may ask them self why we do not have more crime and criminals in today’s society. Is it due to the large amount of laws and ordinances for people to live by? If you feel that is the reason why, then you are referring to the social control theory. Unlike most other theories that describe why we commit crimes, the social control theory explains why we obey rules (www.oxfordbibliographies.com). The social control theory is somewhat like the time and energy you have invested into your education, job or extracurricular activities. It focuses on techniques and strategies that regulate human behavior and lead to conformity, or obedience to society’s rules (Adler, Mueller, & Laufer, 2008).
The concept of the social theory began to flourish during the 1960’s. It was during this period that Travis Hirschi put forth his innovative rendering of control theory, a theory built upon existing concepts of social control ("Social Control Theory," n.d.). During this period, Hirschi wrote a book in where he used the model of family, friends, moral values and even government beliefs as the outside influences as to why we do not commit crimes. He summarizes these to what he called the social bond. He further broke this social bond component of the theory into four categories: 1) Attachment, which causes people to have a sense of affection and sensitivity towards others; 2) Commitment, investment in conventional society or stake in conformity; 3) Involvement, being busy, restricted opportunities for delinquency and 4) Belief, degree to which person thinks they should obey the law. The social control theory basically describes why people do not commit crimes.
In society we like to label everything, including criminals. This is what we refer to as the labeling theory. Within this theory we label our people as criminals, delinquents and deviants. The labeling theory claims that deviance is not inherent in any action, but is created when rules and sanctions are applied to behavior considered to be offending. Thus, behavior only becomes deviant when it is labeled as such. To Becker, the relationship between definers and the defined is conceived of as procession from which the application of a ‘deviant’ label has certain psychological and societal impacts. Impacts of Labeling Theory Psychological, Becker believed that those who were labeled as something by the definers may come to see themselves in terms of the label. It also has social implications in that such labeling is likely to mean that those individuals labeled as ‘deviant’ reinforce the self-conception by knowingly (or unknowingly) acting in accordance to the label. So, perhaps if we as a society were to eventually get away from the labeling theory, would we see a reduction in crime, or would crime spike because now those who would be labeled have no fear because they know society will not know them as a label.

Although the labeling theory has both its pro and cons I for one would have to vote on the side of the pros. As a society we should be aware of those around us who in fact deviant or in other words criminally capable. Could you imagine living next to a serial child molester and never knowing about it? Sure, you would live your life day to day until that one tragic day the unthinkable happens to your child. Then whom would you blame? I would
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