Labelling Theory Analysis
Violence is a considerable political and social issue in Australia; however this is due in large part to media misrepresentation and is not supported by crime statistics. This statement will be contextualised using statistics from appropriate government departments before providing evidence of the ways in which the media present this data in a disproportionate manner. Finally, the essay will introduce two criminological theories, more specifically, the labelling theory and the heredity theory with a focus on the Monoamine oxidase A gene. In doing so, it will become evident that these theories, despite any shortcomings, provide a considerable explanation as to why violent crime occurs.
Social issues exist where there is a condition which the …show more content…
Confidence in the criminal justice system could be undermined if genetic information is used as a mitigating factor in sentencing until such a point as there has been formal scientific acceptance and verification (Price & Whatmore, 1967; Jewell, 2013).
Labelling theory is a sociological theory which starts with an assumption that no act is inherently criminal and that criminality is relative and varies from one location to another as it is defined by those in power; whether through the formation of law or the interpretation of those rules by enforcement bodies such as police and the courts. Under this assumption, the deviant label is a product of society as it is not established through the act itself, but through the reaction of society to the act (Reeves, Albert, Kuper, & Hodges, …show more content…
This is referred to as secondary deviance whereby the individuals self-perception has been altered by the stigmatising label placed on them by society (Bernburg, Krohn & Rivera, 2006; Wiley & Esbensen, 2016). Part of this can be attributed to a lack of afforded opportunities following the application of the label. This theory is supported by recorded crime statistics published by the ABS, which show that in the 2014-2015 period, there was an increase in the proportion of offenders proceeded against more than once in four of the six states and territories included in the data set (Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics. , 2016).
It could be said that the labelling theory is subject to several limitations and shortfalls, the largest of these is that it does not account for the initial motivation towards deviance. Further to this, this theory may be better placed to explain certain types of crimes more convincingly than others. An example of this would be theft as once an individual has been convicted and subsequently labelled as a criminal, they would find it significantly harder to find employment resulting in an increased likelihood of subsequent
Social issues exist where there is a condition which the …show more content…
Confidence in the criminal justice system could be undermined if genetic information is used as a mitigating factor in sentencing until such a point as there has been formal scientific acceptance and verification (Price & Whatmore, 1967; Jewell, 2013).
Labelling theory is a sociological theory which starts with an assumption that no act is inherently criminal and that criminality is relative and varies from one location to another as it is defined by those in power; whether through the formation of law or the interpretation of those rules by enforcement bodies such as police and the courts. Under this assumption, the deviant label is a product of society as it is not established through the act itself, but through the reaction of society to the act (Reeves, Albert, Kuper, & Hodges, …show more content…
This is referred to as secondary deviance whereby the individuals self-perception has been altered by the stigmatising label placed on them by society (Bernburg, Krohn & Rivera, 2006; Wiley & Esbensen, 2016). Part of this can be attributed to a lack of afforded opportunities following the application of the label. This theory is supported by recorded crime statistics published by the ABS, which show that in the 2014-2015 period, there was an increase in the proportion of offenders proceeded against more than once in four of the six states and territories included in the data set (Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics. , 2016).
It could be said that the labelling theory is subject to several limitations and shortfalls, the largest of these is that it does not account for the initial motivation towards deviance. Further to this, this theory may be better placed to explain certain types of crimes more convincingly than others. An example of this would be theft as once an individual has been convicted and subsequently labelled as a criminal, they would find it significantly harder to find employment resulting in an increased likelihood of subsequent