Labeling Theory in Relation to the Criminal Justice System.

Criminal Justice Theories

Tina Okun

Cultural Diversity in Criminal Justice CRJS410-1501B-02

Professor Gray

March 27, 2015

Abstract

This essay will explore the Labeling Theory in relation to the Criminal Justice System.  The essay will further explore the Cultural Deviance Theory in relations to gangs.  The Strain Theory will be discussed as another theory to avoid stereotyping individuals within the Criminal Justice System.  Gangs will be discussed in their position within the Cultural Deviance Theory.  Furthermore, a case scenario will be presented in retrospect to the theories mentioned above.

Introduction

     There are numerous reasons why individual commit crime – situations, environment, societal pressures and learned behaviors are some of those reasons.  For decades theorists have developed their theories on why individuals choose crime. The majority of these theories focus on individuals that are considered lower class, uneducated and even minorities in some cases.  The Labeling Theory, for instance, labels individuals as criminals who were arrested, prosecuted and punished.  The Strain theory, however, does not discriminate against the individuals in the criminal justice system as it views all individuals.  

General Strain Theory

     General Strain Theory or GST has been used to explain variations in crime and delinquency by examining the effect of strains on individuals and groups (Peck, 2011).  GST argues that several strains or stressors increase chance of criminal activity.  These strains are divided into three different types, including: (1) the failure to achieve positively valued goals, (2) the removal or threat of removal of positively valued stimuli, and (3), the presentation of noxious or negatively valued stimuli (Peck, 2011).  Agnew also believed that certain strains were more likely to cause crime than others such as parental rejection, divorce, death of a family member, child abuse and neglect, negative school experience, residing in low socioeconomic status communities, abusive peer relations, criminal victimization, homelessness and experiences with prejudice (Peck, 2011).  There has been much empirical research done testing the overall theory, including international studies, decreased efforts have been made to explain how strain differentially affects certain racial and ethnic groups.  In fact, only ten studies have been conducted that connect GST, race, and deviant coping (Peck, 2011).

     Strain theories suggest that individuals commit crime and delinquency due to a variety of pressures and strain.  These types of theories are distinct from other types of theories because they argue that crime results from strain, instead of other factors such as biological or psychological.  Traditional anomie and strain theories utilized the historical work of Durkheim and the term anomie to describe a lack of social regulation (or normlessness) in society (Peck, 2011).  Merton described that anomie is produced from the imbalance of social structure and/or culture.  More specifically, the dissociation between legitimate social means and valued cultural goals resulted in anomie in industrialized societies.  From this, it was believed that strain is produced from the imbalance of social structure and culture resulting in more crime.           Anomie was described primarily on a macro-structural level, Merton described that social structure and culture can affect individual behavior as well.  He described five individual adaptations (conformity, innovation, and ritualism, and retreatism, rebellion) to strain based on the goal of economic success and lawful means of obtaining the goal.  Later, he considered other measures of strain (aspirations, expectations, perceptions of blocked opportunities, relative deprivation, and dissatisfaction with monetary situation) still based on economic success (Peck, 2011).  In conclusion, GST remains a non-stereotypical theory within the criminal justice system.