NCJ Number
29208
Editor(s)
W R GOVE
Date Published
1975
Length
313 pages
Annotation
COLLECTION OF ARTICLES PROVIDING AN OVERVIEW OF MAJOR THEORIES EXPLAINING DEVIANT BEHAVIOR FROM LABELING OR SOCIETAL REACTION PERSPECTIVE.
Abstract
THIS PERSPECTIVE ARGUES THAT THE KEY FACTOR IN DETERMINING THE ACQUISITION OF A DEVIANT LABEL IS THE PERSON'S LACK OF RESOURCES AND THAT THE ACQUISITION OF A DEVIANT LABEL IS THE MAIN DETERMINANT OF A CAREER IN DEVIANCE. HOWEVER, DESPITE ITS WIDESPREAD ACCEPTANCE AND USE BY SOCIOLOGISTS, CRIMINOLOGISTS, AND BEHAVIORISTS, THE LABELING PERSPECTIVE HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO VERY LITTLE EMPIRICAL EVALUATION. THIS BOOK PROVIDES A CRITICAL EXPLORATION OF THE EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE AVAILABLE TO DATE. CONTRIBUTORS THEN EXPLORE FACETS OF ITS APPLICATION IN SUCH NONCRIMINAL AREAS AS: ALCOHOLISM, PHYSICAL DISABILITY, MENTAL ILLNESS, AND MENTAL RETARDATION; AND IN SUCH CRIMINAL AREAS AS: ADULT CRIME, JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, DRUG USE, AND SEXUAL DEVIANCE. THE VOLUME CONCLUDES WITH A PAIR OF CRITICAL COMMENTARIES BY PROMINENT SUPPORTERS OF THE SOCIETAL REACTION PERSPECTIVE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)