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Labeling and Conflict Theory
Conflict theory is largely based upon a Marxist conception of human relations. It suggests that the definition of crime is created by social elites to bolster their social position. For example, for many years within the criminal justice system, the crime of using crack cocaine was penalized significantly more than the use of powder cocaine. Not coincidentally, a Marxist theorist would note, people living in the inner city were more likely to use the cheaper, crack alternative. Both drugs were equally dangerous and deleterious to society yet based upon social class, abusers were punished very differently. Conflict theorists regard crime as a subjective, class-based notion -- hence, an African-American person sitting at a 'whites only' lunch counter was considered a criminal in the south during the 1950s, despite the fact that such a law clearly violated the African-American's constitutional rights. Many actions considered crimes may actually have positive benefits. "Certain types of crime take on a different character. Stealing can be seen as an attempt to take away from the rich…like...
Protest-related violence may actually be the start of proto-revolutionary movements, ultimately leading to a worker's revolt and the establishment of a just society" (Greek, 2005, Conflict Theory).
Labeling theory similarly suggests that definitions of crime are used to retain established hegemonies. "[Howard] Becker (1963) criticizes other theories of deviance for accepting the existence of deviance and by doing so, accept the values of the majority within the social group. According to Becker (1963), studying the act of the individual is unimportant because deviance is simply rule-breaking behavior that is labeled deviant by persons in positions of power. The rule breaking behavior is constant; the labeling of the behavior varies" (Greek, 2005, Labeling theory). Why is white collar crime considered less bad than stealing, for example, even if it accomplishes the same ends? And why are corporations given greater leeway in the tax code to hide their assets than ordinary tax payers -- someone who dodges his taxes is caused a cheat; a corporation which moves offshore like Apple…
References
Greek, C. (2005). Conflict theory. Criminological Theory. Retrieved from:
http://criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/conflict.htm
Greek, C. (2005). Labeling theory. Criminological Theory. Retrieved from:
http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/becker.htm
Marxist ideas have also provided as a starting point for many of the modern feminist theorists. Despite these applications, Marxism of any variety is still a minority position among American sociologists (Conflict Theory, 2000). Marx's sociology state that: 1. Particular forms of property, slavery, feudal landholding, and capital are upheld by the coercive power of the state. Thus classes formed by property divisions, slaves and slave-owners, serfs and lords, capitalists and
Criminology Theories and Theorists Theorists in the field of criminal justice: Howard Becker and Robert Agnew The field of sociology has been extremely influential in shaping our concept of criminal justice in the 20th century. Rather than focusing on biological or moral theories of why people commit crimes, criminology has begun to place more emphasis on how social pressures may shape the decision of an individual to engage in criminal behavior or to eschew
CONFLICT Our interpretations, Mediation Strategies and Communication Types The Nature of Conflict -- an introduction What is Conflict? Conflict as Perception Conflict as Feeling Conflict as Actions What causes conflict? Communication Emotions Values Structure Positive Communication Interpersonal Conflict Intrapersonal Conflict Link between Interpersonal Conflicts and Effective Communication Mediation and Dispute Resolution The Nature of Conflict -- An introduction: Conflict is a naturally existing problem in our society and the world as a whole. Conflict exists at all levels and it is so a certain extent quite natural and
Criminal Justice Theories Labeling theory suggests that criminal behavior can be the result of a person being considered a criminal. "People become stabilized in criminal roles when they are labeled as criminal, are stigmatized, develop criminal identities, are sent to prison, and are excluded from conventional roles. Reintegrative responses are less likely to create defiance and a commitment to crime" (Patchin, 2011). Anyone who has ever filled out a job application
Consensus vs. The conflict model Consensus and Conflict Models Compare and contrast the consensus model and the conflict model: And how do both fall short? The 'conflict'-based model of criminal justice theory views all of human society as inherently gripped by conflict, with a specific emphasis on class-based conflict. Marxism is the economic theory primarily associated with the conflict theory. Marxists take a broad, sweeping view of all of human global history as an
This is a difficult task because at some level because every crime, or action for that matter is driven by both self-interest and environmental factors. Perhaps a new viewpoint is needed that includes both the individual and community responsibility to help fight and prevent criminal behavior. Each human being is blessed to have both types of skills that help map and order our world and daydream and create new solutions.