DRAMATIZATION OF EVIL (FROM CRIME AND DELINQUENCY, A READER, 1970 BY CARL A BERSANI - SEE NCJ-06248)

• NCJ Number: 10209
• Author(s): F TANNEBAUM
• Date Published: 1938
• Length: 3 pages
• Corporate Author: Macmillan
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM CRIME AND COMMUNITY, BY FRANK TANNENBAUM, COLUMBIA UNIV PRESS, 1938

Annotation

THE YOUNG DELINQUENT BECOMES BAD BECAUSE HE IS DEFINED AS BAD BY THE COMMUNITY WHICH DEMANDS CONSISTENCY IN CHARACTER, AND HE IS NOT BELIEVED IF HE IS GOOD.

Abstract

ONCE REPUTATION IS ESTABLISHED, ALL AGENCIES UNCONSCIOUSLY COMBINE TO MAINTAIN THIS DEFINITION EVEN WITH AN APPARENT AND CONSCIOUS ATTEMPT TO DENY THEIR OWN IMPLICIT JUDGMENT. THE PROCESS OF MAKING THE CRIMINAL IS A PROCESS OF TAGGING, SEGREGATING, EMPHASIZING, AND EVOKING THE VERY TRAITS THAT ARE COMPLAINED OF. THE FIRST DRAMATIZATION OF THE EVIL WHICH SEPARATES THE CHILD OUT OF HIS GROUP FOR SPECIALIZED TREATMENT PLAYS A GREATER ROLE IN MAKING THE CRIMINAL THAN PERHAPS ANY OTHER EXPERIENCE. THE DRAMATIZATION TENDS TO PRECIPITATE THE CONFLICT SITUATION WHICH WAS FIRST CREATED THROUGH SOME INNOCENT MALADJUSTMENT AND THE CHILD'S ISOLATION FORCES HIM INTO COMPANIONSHIP WITH OTHER CHILDREN SIMILARLY DEFINED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)