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Interpretive Approaches. Phenomenology is a view that emphasises the subjective and introspective nature of our experience. Mainly developed through the work of Schutz it has led to such developments as symbolic interactionism and ethnomethodology.
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Interpretive Approaches Phenomenology is a view that emphasises the subjective and introspective nature of our experience. Mainly developed through the work of Schutz it has led to such developments as symbolic interactionism and ethnomethodology. These approaches are generally referred to as interpretive and see the deviant as no different from other people .
Interpretive Approaches • Labelling Theory • Interactionist approaches have been developed into Labelling Theory by Howard Becker in the 1960’s. • The basic ideas of Labelling Theory:-
Interpretive Approaches The basic ideas of Labelling Theory:- • Deviance (and crime) have to be witnessed by others • Certain perceptions of the act have to be made • It has to be seen by others as ‘deviant’ and hence labelled • The ‘deviant’ has to accept the act and the label • Others see the person committing the act as deviant
Interpretive Approaches Marijuana Users – Becker 1963 Using Marijuana involves one in the process of learning appropriate behaviour How to hold it, draw on it etc. Because it is illegal it has to be done in secret Users are therefore marginalised from the ‘straight’ world If caught and prosectuted - could lead to losing jobs etc Lemert says before being caught -this is primary deviance - only a few know After being caught - secondary deviance - this could lead to a ‘master’ status… ‘Addict’ .. ‘Druggy’ etc
Interpretive Approaches Criticisms Of Labelling Theory • Doesn’t explain why some of us are deviants and others aren’t - why do some take drugs in the first place? • Ignores the power of some groups to label others - Young (1971) drug users in Notting Hill were seen as dirty, lazy, idle scroungers by the Police who represented the establishment Glamorises deviance
Interpretive Approaches Ken Plummer’s Defence Of Labelling Theory (1979) Others fail to see that labelling is about examining social processes - How labels are applied and their consequences etc Power is not ignored - Becker says we need to look at who makes the rules and how labels are applied in different circumstances Labelling theory never set out to be a universal explanation Becker himself feels that it has become higher profiled than he meant it to be
Interpretive Approaches Ethnomethodology Ethnomethodologists follow the interpretive line of looking at how deviant and criminal acts come to be defined as such. Cicourel 1976 looked at juvenile deviants passing through the police and court systems in California. He referred to a ‘negotiation of justice’ process at each stage. I.e. some were sent on to the next stage of the system while others were let off with warnings etc. He found that MC youths were more likely to be let off with cautions as the Police believed their parents would help to get them back on ‘the right track’
Interpretive Approaches Ethnomethodology Atkinson 1978 found a similar process of negotiation going on when he looked at how coroners made decisions about whether to classify a death as suicide or not Such research again shows that statistics in such areas need to be taken with care. They are social creations.
Women and Crime • Upto the 1970’s it could be argued that women were ignored in any sociological analysis of crime. • Carol Smart was one of the first sociologists to apply a feminist perspective in this area and once again we have mainly female sociologists looking at a female issue.
Women and Crime • The most consistent and dramatic finding …is not that most criminals are working class but that most criminals are….men! Cain 1989 • For every 1 woman in prison there are 24 men • Men commit more crime? • Men commit different types of crime? • Women are treated more leniently by the courts? • These are some of the issues for sociological analysis
Women and Crime The Chivalry Factor Some argue that women basically get away with more with the Police and the Courts. Mott 1983 found that females were more likely to only get cautions when men received more serious punishments for the same crime. • Feminist sociologists have argued that women are treated more harshly, particularly with regards to sex crimes. Female criminals – Hindley, West etc. are seen as much worse than their male counterparts.
Women and Crime Heidensohn 1985 – gives reasons for women being ignored • Vicarious Identification Crime and deviance has been glamorised by male sociologists Seen as an exciting area to study - captures the imagination - secret admiration for deviants Male Dominance Of Sociology Males dominate the subject and have monopolised this area
Women and Crime • Lower recorded levels of female crime Less female crime so seen as less important Most funding has been given to research on males • Malestream theories Of Deviance And Research Stereotypical views of women Place in the home, little girls are made of ‘sugar and spice’ etc.
Women and Crime Pat Carlen 1985– Female Criminality Carlen et al carried out a study of 39 female prisoners aged 15-46 (mainly WC) who had carried out a range of offences including – theft, fraud, arson, burglary and violence. Women who break the law come from all types of backgrounds But those in prison (like men) are mainly from poorer socio-econ groups The more women deviate from their ‘natural roles’ of good mothers etc - the more they are harshly treated by police and courts Women are convicted more for prostitution But same as men for shop lifting Women do more theft - linked to poverty More single women parents - theft is for others - children etc rather than for themselves (unlike men)
