Sociology & Criminology for a Changing World
Being Mentally Ill by Thomas J. Scheff is considered a key contribution to labelling theory and the sociology of mental deviance. Building on the theoretical insights of Howard S. Becker and Erving Goffman, Scheff argues that “mental illness” is not (only) a biologically or medically defined condition, but is significantly shaped by social processes of
Crime, Shame and Reintegration (1989) by John Braithwaite is a foundational text in criminology that builds on labelling theory, control theories, and social disorganization theory. Braithwaite’s concept of shaming analyzes the social processes that invoke shame as a form of social control. He distinguishes between two types: disintegrative shaming, which stigmatizes and excludes offenders, and
Lawrence W. Sherman’s Defiance Theory seeks to explain why punishment does not always deter crime. Instead of assuming uniform effects, Sherman argues that sanctions can produce three distinct reactions: Deterrence: Punishment successfully discourages further crime. Irrelevance: Punishment has no effect on future offending. Defiance: Punishment actually intensifies deviant behaviour. Key Points Defiance Theory Main Proponent: