1. This week’s module readings were over labeling theories and conflict theories. Labeling theories are the theories that explain how societies reactions and beliefs about a crime labels it to the point of possibly causing it because of what you say, think, or belief about the criminal act. Reacting and labeling a person based on their actions can possibly increase criminal activity that you may try to stop (Lily, et, al.,
2020). Becker, Erikson, and Kitsuse believed that societies reactions and beliefs about criminal acts explain crimes and deviance. All of their beliefs followed Merton’s belief of self-fulfilling prophecy.
The self-fulfilling prophecy is the prediction that something is going to happen or be true as it leads to an expectation that of it being true. The two forms of deviance we discussed in our readings included primary and secondary deviance. Conflict theory is the theory that explains and summaries the struggles that occur between a person or groups due to different issues that may cause conflicts that can lead to crimes or deviance. This theory looks at social disparities that causes a person to go against authority and commit crimes. This week’s video shows Hirschi as he talks with a student panel about his beliefs on social control theory and his example and beliefs on it. Mass incarceration and differential opportunity structures greatly influence coerced mobility theory because mass incarceration in itself I believe that conflict theories have more relevance today because there are so many conflicts that cause individuals to commit or want to commit crimes.
There are so many peer pressures, actions, beliefs, and things that can cause a person to commit a crime in today’s society.
2. The video “Student Panel with Travis Hirschi” revolves on a group of students interviewing a well-known criminologist. Hirschi has penned many well-known works containing ideas on social control of others, self-control, and criminality. Speaking on the general theory of crime and the social bond theory, he looks sensibly at how best to conduct research and how things truly run in criminology.
In Chapter 7 of “Causes of Delinquency,” Travis Hirschi (2002) investigates extensively labeling theory and argues-based on government engagement in the life of teenagers and young adults-that unexpected results may follow. Labeling theory holds that those branded as deviants or criminals could absorb these labels and begin behaving in ways that match them. Hirschi disputes the simple approach of labeling
theory since the type of action and past conduct of the person defines the more
complex link between labels and crime and depends on many elements. He
emphasizes the need of having full understanding of how labels influence
undesirable behavior since different persons emphasizes the need of having full understanding of
how labels influence
undesirable behavior since different persons depending on the surroundings and
how easily they are influenced by labels.
Hirschi
tackled conflict theory in the ninth chapter 2002.
This point of view says that
numerous groups in society battle over power and hence produce crime. Strong
people establish what crimes are and how the criminal justice system functions
such that they may retain their own interests and influence over lower groups,
according to conflict theorists. Hirschi discusses how conflict theory reveals how
social inequality and power influence criminal activity as well as how often
justice is delivered. He considers how conflict theory might help one to grasp.
