What is the difference between the Labelling theory and conflict theory?

Both conflict theory and labeling theory play into society's efforts to respond to criminal behavior in terms of prevention and punishment by serving as an explanation for the cause of crime. Each of these theories also overlaps criminology, sociology and psychology in its explanation of the cause of crime. Historically, sociological theories of crime that view crime as the result of social forces "have dominated American criminology since the 1920s" (Brown, Esbensen, & Geis, 2001, p. 283). Despite this similarity, conflict theory and labeling theory are vastly different. The former maintains that a small number of wealthy and powerful individuals control a disproportionate share of society's resources and control the institutions that reinforce their own power and wealth. This causes marginalized groups that are denied access to such resources to turn to crime seeing no route of conventional access to upward mobility.

In contrast, labeling theory maintains that most efforts to control crime actually increase crime. This is because individuals who are arrested, prosecuted, and punished are labeled as criminals. As one sociologist explains, "Other then view and treat these people as criminals, and this increases the likelihood of subsequent crime" for a number of reasons like employers being unwilling to hire a "criminal" (Crime, 2009, p. 1). This analysis will compare and contrast these two theories of crime and criminal activity. A conclusion will address which theory seems more valid as an explanation from crime and criminal behavior.

The social conflict theory of crime maintains that a small group of wealthy and powerful individuals control not only the majority of resources in society but also social institutions that reinforce the power and wealth of the status quo at the expense of less powerful groups. This leads to inequalities that are inherent in such a class oriented system in the vi...

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Schur’s radical nonintervention

training schools were closed in Massachusetts in early 1970s

Diversion programs

Vision Quest, Outward Bound, wilderness programs, and Police Athletic League

Conflict theorists focus on

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Many have attempted to explain gang involvement in today's society. However, there is an underlying activity of youth joining gangs that does not seem to have enough media coverage or thorough explanations. As the name suggests, youth gang membership is about the juvenile population creating and joining gangs. Research indicates that youth gang membership exists in contemporary north America (Bernburg et al. 2006; aLilly et al. 2011; Maclure and Sotelo 2004; Sims 1997; Wiley et al. 2013; Yoder et al. 2003). This paper will examine the factors associated with youth gang membership using Karl Marx's conflict theory and labeling theory in comparison. Although conflict theory helps explain why a troublesome economy and coming from a low-socioeconomic status contributes to gang involvement, the theory has its limitations. On the other hand, labeling theory is unable to fully explain youth gang involvement based on the aforementioned factors. That being said, it can give a better explanation based on the factor of government intervention in the lives of citizens such as the context of stop-and-frisk which lead to unwarranted searches.
As mentioned in lecture, labeling theory asks two critical questions: what is crime, and who is criminal? This is the central tenet of labeling theory because the focus is on what activities constitute criminal behaviour within the context. This means that over time, the general perspective changes in regards to what can be labeled 'crime.' For instance, society is known to react negatively towards prostitution in the past; whereas the contemporary reaction is primarily to legalize it. That being said, labeling is more than a reaction to an activity. To elaborate, labeling is also about the government i... ... middle of paper ... ...heory." Pp 166-199 in Criminological Theory: Context and Consequences (5th Edition) Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications. 3. Maclure, Richard, and Melvin Sotelo. 2004. "Youth Gangs in Nicaragua: Gang Membership as Structured Individualization." Journal of Youth Studies 7:417-432. 4 Sims, A. Barbara. 1997. "Crime, Punishment, and the American Dream: Toward a Marxist Integration." Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency 34:5-24.

5. Wiley, Ann Stephanie, Lee Ann Slocum, and Finn-Aage Esbensen. 2013. "The Unintended Consequences of Being Stopped or Arrested: An Exploration of the Labeling Mechanisms Through Which Police Contact Leads to Subsequent Delinquency." American Society of Criminology 51:927-966.

The current criminal justice policy exercised in the United States and across the globe arises from the processes of labeling, social reaction, and state intervention. The responses and measures different states implement tend to be counterproductive when seeking to address the challenges of crime. For example, harsher and longer sentences were considered as the best strategies for discouraging offenders from repeating their offenses in the 1960s (Abrah, 2018). However, such measures proved ineffective since more people continue to commit additional criminal acts. Similarly, labeling is a notion that explains how community members identify and associate with individuals who commit offenses as criminals (Brookman & Copes, 2018). The “criminal” tag will become part of the offender’s life, thereby resulting in a unique social status. If the person decides to reform, such a label might remain and eventually compel him or her to engage in criminal acts.

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The social reaction is a process whereby members of the public will treat every offender as a criminal. When the individual chooses to pursue his or her entire life as a criminal, the level of deviance tends to increase significantly. However, changes in societal views about different practices will result in additional reactions (Brookman & Copes, 2018). Society will be in a position to dictate when a behavior could become illegal or acceptable in the targeted region. From these forces, it is evident that the reaction of the society, the power of labeling, and state intervention could result in unintended consequences, such as an increased rate of offending. Sometimes those who decide to reform might be unable to be reintegrated back to the respective communities. Professionals and policymakers should, therefore, consider this form of knowledge to implement new ways of improving the nature and effectiveness of this country’s criminal justice system.

Conflict Theory

Modern radical criminological theorists have been keen to examine the nature of crime and its connection with capitalism. Conflict theories try to explain how the existence of economic differences and reduced social mobilities force some people to engage in misbehaviors to improve their experiences (Salakhova, Bulgakov, Sokolovskaya, Khammatova, & Mikhaylovsky, 2016). According to Marxist concepts, the capitalist system focuses on the best strategies to maximize wealth and income. However, it fails to offer the best guidelines to achieve such aims while protecting the rights of the greatest majority. In communities that promote capitalism as the best economic system, individuals are expected to focus on their experiences and statuses without considering the welfare of their friends, neighbors, or even colleagues. This trend results in a more pronounced conflict that everyone sets the stage for increased cases of deviance.

Personally, I have studied various theories to identify the most appropriate and convincing that can explain this unique relationship between capitalism and crime. The outstanding model is string theory by Robert Merton who expanded Emile Durkheim’s notions. According to the concept, capitalistic societies require their members to pursue the best approaches to become successful and wealthy (Gallo, 2013). Unfortunately, such communities fail to present evidence-based opportunities to the majority of the citizens. Such gaps force them to play the role of laborers, thereby being unable to record positive social mobilities. This precarious situation compels them to consider illegitimate means that could make them successful. Consequently, the problems of deviance and crime continue to prevail in many states associated with capitalism (Gallo, 2013). This knowledge is capable of guiding policymakers and leaders to consider the best approaches to support the underprivileged members of society.

References

Abrah, P. B. (2018). Labeling theory and life stories of juvenile delinquents transitioning into adulthood. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 63(2), 179-197.

Brookman, F., & Copes, H. (2018). Visualizing crime and deviance: Editors introduction. Deviant Behavior, 39(4), 417-420.

Gallo, G. (2013). Conflict theory, complexity and systems approach. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 30, 156-175.

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Salakhova, V. B., Bulgakov, A. V., Sokolovskaya, I. E., Khammatova, R. S., & Mikhaylovsky, M. N. (2016). Substantive (content-related) characteristics of deviant behavior as a social and psychological phenomenon. International Journal of Environmental & Science Education, 11(17), 10609-10622.