SOCS100 Assessment 2
Social interactionists argue that ‘crime’ and ‘deviant behaviour’ are subject to, and outcomes of, a
labelling process. Discuss how the process of labelling a group of people or an individual as
‘deviant’ comes about, with reference to a case study of one group of people.
In our society, there are particular ‘norms’, behaviours and actions of individuals that are
considered to be standard rules to be followed to ensure the conserving and sustainability of a
fully functioning and positive environment in society. If those particular rules are not
followed, society as a community will diminish and fall apart. The process of labelling an
individual as ‘deviant’ or ‘criminal’ comes about when a person or group of people in society
rejects those norms or customary rules. When the label of being ‘criminal’ or ‘deviant’ is
assigned and associated with a particular group of people or individual, the attachment may
adhere to that particular group or individual regardless of their true actions and behaviour
(Cengage, 2014). In other words, people labelled as ‘deviant’ or ‘criminal’ may not be
committing acts that are in fact dreadful; it more so is a foreground of the beliefs of the
society as a whole. This can be further seen when exploring the labelling process that is
evident with a group of homosexual individuals in society. Are homosexuals ‘deviant’ or
‘criminal’ beings? Do they reject customary rules of society? Should they be punished or
banished from society? Since the process of labelling in society is determined by the
individuals within that particular society, it can be perceived as somewhat outdated,
particularly in traditional and conservative societies. This stereotypical labelling of ‘criminal’
and ‘deviant behaviour’ are, in fact, subject to and outcomes of, a labelling process in society.
Many social interactionalists and sociologists claim there to be several alternative and
contrasting perspectives when exploring the different types of deviance that exist in society
and how certain theories can work and perform to shape and contour a functioning and
sustainable modern society. These theories and perspectives, such as the motivational
theories and constraint theories, in turn, outline how the labelling process comes about.
Crime is considered to be any deed which interferes with the laws of society. A crime may
include an act of online fraud, identity crime, household crimes (vandalism, housebreaking or
, theft) or personal crimes such as physical assault or face-to-face threatened assault. (Best,
2005). Same-sex marriage was considered to be a crime in Australia until 2017, when it was
made legal in all states and territories. Smith (2014) views society as thriving when social
order is maintained through the enforcement of laws and police interaction. He also believes
that crime can heighten social bonds and in turn, assert values and social norms as it guides
right acts from wrong. Deviance is considered to be any behaviour that violates or rejects
what is deemed to be acceptable behaviour in society. Individuals conforming to deviant
behaviour go against society’s customary rules. Deviant acts of behaviour may include
picking one’s nose in public or coughing without covering one’s mouth. Deviance is not
necessarily an illegal felony or crime; it is more of a misdemeanour of society; however, an
act can be both deviant and criminal. Individuals of society behaving intimately with others
of the same sex was considered to be deviant behaviour in the mid 19th to the 20th century but
homosexuality is becoming more normalised in society. However, in many countries or
traditional societies homosexuality is still prevailed as being deviant and as a paraphilia, even
though it has become more common. Social interactionalist John Hagan (1973), believes
there are four different types of deviance within society. These include; social diversions,
social deviation, conflict crimes or offences and consensus crimes or offences. Social
diversions are harmless, minor deeds which may include wearing no shoes in public. Social
deviations are considered more serious acts that are slightly harmful to individuals in society,
for example road rage. Hagan’s idea on conflict offences or conflict crimes are seen as illegal
deviant acts such as the killing of animals, and lastly; consensus offences are universally
known to be severely dangerous, which may include acts of murder or torture. Sociologists
claim many reasons as to why deviance and crime occur in society to which are grouped into
either Motivational Theories or Constraint Theories.
Motivational theory outlines what might be the cause of an individuals’ motivation to
committing a crime or deviant acts of behaviour within society, with reference to their social
and environmental factors. Richard Rosenfeld (1989) outlines Merton’s belief that people act
in deviant ways when they feel they are unable to uphold social achievements. This may be
prevalent for homosexual individuals if they feel as if they are not accepted by society or
Social interactionists argue that ‘crime’ and ‘deviant behaviour’ are subject to, and outcomes of, a
labelling process. Discuss how the process of labelling a group of people or an individual as
‘deviant’ comes about, with reference to a case study of one group of people.
In our society, there are particular ‘norms’, behaviours and actions of individuals that are
considered to be standard rules to be followed to ensure the conserving and sustainability of a
fully functioning and positive environment in society. If those particular rules are not
followed, society as a community will diminish and fall apart. The process of labelling an
individual as ‘deviant’ or ‘criminal’ comes about when a person or group of people in society
rejects those norms or customary rules. When the label of being ‘criminal’ or ‘deviant’ is
assigned and associated with a particular group of people or individual, the attachment may
adhere to that particular group or individual regardless of their true actions and behaviour
(Cengage, 2014). In other words, people labelled as ‘deviant’ or ‘criminal’ may not be
committing acts that are in fact dreadful; it more so is a foreground of the beliefs of the
society as a whole. This can be further seen when exploring the labelling process that is
evident with a group of homosexual individuals in society. Are homosexuals ‘deviant’ or
‘criminal’ beings? Do they reject customary rules of society? Should they be punished or
banished from society? Since the process of labelling in society is determined by the
individuals within that particular society, it can be perceived as somewhat outdated,
particularly in traditional and conservative societies. This stereotypical labelling of ‘criminal’
and ‘deviant behaviour’ are, in fact, subject to and outcomes of, a labelling process in society.
Many social interactionalists and sociologists claim there to be several alternative and
contrasting perspectives when exploring the different types of deviance that exist in society
and how certain theories can work and perform to shape and contour a functioning and
sustainable modern society. These theories and perspectives, such as the motivational
theories and constraint theories, in turn, outline how the labelling process comes about.
Crime is considered to be any deed which interferes with the laws of society. A crime may
include an act of online fraud, identity crime, household crimes (vandalism, housebreaking or
, theft) or personal crimes such as physical assault or face-to-face threatened assault. (Best,
2005). Same-sex marriage was considered to be a crime in Australia until 2017, when it was
made legal in all states and territories. Smith (2014) views society as thriving when social
order is maintained through the enforcement of laws and police interaction. He also believes
that crime can heighten social bonds and in turn, assert values and social norms as it guides
right acts from wrong. Deviance is considered to be any behaviour that violates or rejects
what is deemed to be acceptable behaviour in society. Individuals conforming to deviant
behaviour go against society’s customary rules. Deviant acts of behaviour may include
picking one’s nose in public or coughing without covering one’s mouth. Deviance is not
necessarily an illegal felony or crime; it is more of a misdemeanour of society; however, an
act can be both deviant and criminal. Individuals of society behaving intimately with others
of the same sex was considered to be deviant behaviour in the mid 19th to the 20th century but
homosexuality is becoming more normalised in society. However, in many countries or
traditional societies homosexuality is still prevailed as being deviant and as a paraphilia, even
though it has become more common. Social interactionalist John Hagan (1973), believes
there are four different types of deviance within society. These include; social diversions,
social deviation, conflict crimes or offences and consensus crimes or offences. Social
diversions are harmless, minor deeds which may include wearing no shoes in public. Social
deviations are considered more serious acts that are slightly harmful to individuals in society,
for example road rage. Hagan’s idea on conflict offences or conflict crimes are seen as illegal
deviant acts such as the killing of animals, and lastly; consensus offences are universally
known to be severely dangerous, which may include acts of murder or torture. Sociologists
claim many reasons as to why deviance and crime occur in society to which are grouped into
either Motivational Theories or Constraint Theories.
Motivational theory outlines what might be the cause of an individuals’ motivation to
committing a crime or deviant acts of behaviour within society, with reference to their social
and environmental factors. Richard Rosenfeld (1989) outlines Merton’s belief that people act
in deviant ways when they feel they are unable to uphold social achievements. This may be
prevalent for homosexual individuals if they feel as if they are not accepted by society or
