Role-Taking, Role Commitment, and Delinquency: A Theory of Differential Social Control

Heimer, Karen; Matsueda, Ross L.

doi:10.2307/2095939

Cited by 181 publications

(155 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…It is also not clear whether the labeling reported by the young offenders in our study came from formal or informal sources, with some researchers reporting that family and peers, rather than criminal justice workers, could be the primary "labelers" (Adams et al, 2003;Heimer & Matsueda, 1994;Matsueda, 1992). We found no differences in the reported familial history of imprisonment between the labeled and unlabeled young offenders in this study.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 62%

“…According to this theory, it is at this stage that young offenders become secondary deviants: their criminal behavior is no longer generated by various social, psychological and other factors, but directly by the acceptance of the delinquent label (Burke, 2001;Vold et al, 2002). Thus, the key assumption of the labeling perspective is that societal reaction to people as "criminal" may unintentionally deepen their criminality by increasing the likelihood that they will perceive themselves to be criminal and hence behave as "criminals" (Adams et al, 2003;Burke, 2001;Chassin, Presson, Young & Light, 1981;Heimer & Matsueda, 1994).…”

Section: Perceived Delinquent Label and Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, young offenders who believed that others labeled them as "rule-violators" were found more likely to engage in self-reported delinquent behavior than those who did not view themselves as such (Adams et al, 2003;Heimer & Matsueda, 1994;Matsueda, 1992).…”

Section: Perceived Delinquent Label and Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, negative informal labeling by family and peers appears to be more influential to young offenders' self-perceptions than formal labeling by the legal system (Adams et al, 2003;Heimer & Matsueda, 1994;Matsueda, 1992).…”

Section: Perceived Delinquent Label and Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Relationship Between Neutralizations and Perceived Delinquent Labeling On Criminal History in Young Offenders Serving Community Orders

Cechaviciute

Kenny

2007

Criminal Justice and Behavior

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This study examined the associations between young offenders' justifications for delinquent behavior, their perceptions of being labeled “delinquent,” and criminal history. Young offenders ( N = 153) serving community orders completed a questionnaire that assessed their use of justifications for offending (neutralizations) and their perceptions of being delinquent. More than half did not believe that others labeled them as delinquent. Those who did believe so self-reported more delinquency and other problem behaviors but did not a have more serious official criminal history than “unlabeled” offenders. Factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure (minimization and rationalization) for the neutralization items. Neutralization factors were weak predictors of official criminal history but were stronger predictors of self-reported delinquency and other problem behaviors. Findings are discussed with reference to the implications for risk and responsivity principles in the treatment of young offenders.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 62%

Section: Perceived Delinquent Label and Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Perceived Delinquent Label and Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Perceived Delinquent Label and Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Relationship Between Neutralizations and Perceived Delinquent Labeling On Criminal History in Young Offenders Serving Community Orders

Cechaviciute

Kenny

2007

Criminal Justice and Behavior

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“…Stryker and Burke 2000). As persons identify and commit to such roles, they become subject to informal social controls (Heimer and Matsueda 1994). To explain changes in offending with age, symbolic interactionists look to the different deviant and conforming roles that individuals are likely to take at each life-course stage -the 'socially recognized and meaningful categories of persons' it is possible to be at a particular age (Cohen 1965: 12).…”

Section: A Life-course Model Of Role Transition and Desistance From Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

After Crime and Punishment

2013

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Previous research in life-course criminology has shown how desistance from crime is linked to the successful transition to adult roles (Sampson and Laub 1993;Uggen 2000). In particular, offenders who establish a stable work history and a strong marriage appear to have better postrelease adjustment than those who have yet to enter such work and family roles. More generally, the transition to adulthood is characterized by the assumption of age-graded roles and the attainment of specific behavioural markers. Completing formal education, obtaining a fulltime job, marrying and voting are all markers signalling adult status, although their sequence and timing may vary over time and space (Shanahan 2000). Specifying the social-psychological process underlying role transition among offenders has therefore emerged as a critical question for theory and empirical research on the desistance process (Shover 1996;Maruna 2001).In this chapter we unite and extend these lines of research in two ways. First, in addition to work and family, we suggest that civic reintegration represents a third important reintegrative domain, one not examined by previous researchers. Following Maruna's contention that desistance is only possible when ex-offenders 'develop a coherent prosocial identity for themselves' (2001: 7), we specify the varieties of civic participation that contribute to such an identity and their subjective meaning to ex-felons. Secondly, building on the work of Matsueda and Heimer (1997), we show how a symbolic interactionist theory of role transition across socioeconomic, familial and civic domains is especially useful in explaining identity shifts over the life course. Although we do not attempt a rigorous empirical test of this theory in this chapter, we

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Labeling Theory

and¹,

Upton²

2015

The Handbook of Criminological Theory

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Role-Taking, Role Commitment, and Delinquency: A Theory of Differential Social Control

Cited by 181 publications

References 45 publications

The Relationship Between Neutralizations and Perceived Delinquent Labeling On Criminal History in Young Offenders Serving Community Orders

The Relationship Between Neutralizations and Perceived Delinquent Labeling On Criminal History in Young Offenders Serving Community Orders

After Crime and Punishment

Labeling Theory

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