SOC 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Pedophilia, Corporate Crime, Labeling Theory
Document Summary
Blumer: sociologists stressed the particular meanings individuals bring to their actions, rather than the broader social structures of which they are unwittingly a part. Macro theories use generalizable trends, global or national forces, and broad social structures. Micro theories zoom in on the individual. Symbolic interactionism micro-level theory where shared meanings, orientations, and assumptions form the basic motivation behind people"s actions. The belief that individuals subconsciously notice how others see or label them, and their reactions to those labels, over time, form the basis of their self-identity. Individuals don"t commit crimes, social groups create deviance. Set the rules for what"s right and wrong and label wrongdoers as outsiders. Social groups create rules about what is a deviant act. Becker and marijuana: chronic marijuana use results from a process of social learning. Smoking is pleasant through social process and an object of desire. Similar to drinking alcohol and the social allure it has. Pseudo-patients admitted as insane but then acted normally.
