Sociology & Criminology for a Changing World
Howard S. Becker (1928–2023) was an American sociologist whose work fundamentally shaped the sociology of deviance and qualitative research methods. A leading figure in the development of labeling theory, Becker emphasized the role of societal reactions in defining deviance. His seminal book Outsiders (1963) examined how deviant identities are socially constructed, challenging essentialist views of
Thomas J. Scheff is best known for his influential work on the sociology of mental illness and emotion. In his seminal book Being Mentally Ill (1966), he developed the labeling theory of mental illness, arguing that psychiatric diagnoses often reflect social reactions rather than objective medical conditions. Scheff emphasized the role of symbolic interactionism in
Edwin H. Sutherland is widely regarded as one of the founding figures of modern criminology. He revolutionized the field by shifting attention away from biological and psychological explanations of crime toward social and environmental factors. His differential association theory laid the foundation for sociological approaches to deviant behavior by emphasizing that criminal behavior is learned
Blumer played a key role in developing and formalizing the theory of symbolic interactionism, a perspective rooted in the work of George Herbert Mead. He emphasized the interpretive nature of human action and the importance of meaning-making in social interaction. Blumer argued that individuals do not simply react to external stimuli but interpret and define
Erving Goffman was a Canadian-American sociologist who became one of the most influential figures in 20th-century sociology. His work is known for its meticulous empirical detail, sharp analytical insight, and accessible language. Drawing on symbolic interactionism, Goffman developed a micro-sociological perspective that focused on everyday interactions and the presentation of self in social settings. His
Herbert George Mead was a foundational figure in American pragmatism and symbolic interactionism. Although he published little during his lifetime, his posthumously compiled lectures—especially Mind, Self, and Society (1934)—had a profound influence on the development of social psychology and interpretive sociology. Mead’s core contribution lies in his theory of the self, which he saw as