In order to discuss how the Interactionist theory can be used to explain deviance, it is necessary to understand the historical development and approach of this theory.

The Interactionists firstly believe that there are no behaviours that are intrinsically deviant. Secondly, Deviant actions are simply those which are defined as deviant within a certain culture or setting. Therefore Interactionists focus on social processes by which certai

The Process of identifying deviant behaviour is offcourse effected by the type of audience involved. An audience could be one particular individual or a group of people observing and evaluating a certain deviant act. "The critical variable in the study of deviance... is the social audience rather than the individual actor, since it is the audience which eventually determines whether or not any episode of behaviour is labelled deviant" (Goode, 1990, pg 61)

The Process of identifying deviant behaviour is offcourse effected by the type of audience involved. An audience could be one particular individual or a group of people observing and evaluating a certain deviant act. "The critical variable in the study of deviance... is the social audience rather than the individual actor, since it is the audience which eventually determines whether or not any episode of behaviour is labelled deviant" (Goode, 1990, pg 61)

In order to discuss how the Interactionist theory can be used to explain deviance, it is necessary to understand the historical development and approach of this theory.

Interestingly the origins of the Interactionist approach go back as far as 18th century Philosophers, arguing with Positivist's about how to best explain social behaviour. In 1938, professor, Frank Tannenbaum first observed the actual reactions to certain behaviours, rather than on behaviours themselves. Furthermore, there were a number of sociologists around the 1930's whom more formally commenced what is known today as the 'Interactionist perspective of Deviance'. Charles Cooley and the 'looking Glass Self', William Thomas and the 'Definition of the situation', George Herbert Mead and the 'Development of the self.' (Aggleton, 1987, chpt 4)

Interactionist theorists, in particular Howard Becker, argue that people who are stigmatised as both socially and morally unacceptable will have a tendency to turn to further rule breaking in the future. (Traub, 1994, pg 290) This is particularly noticeable in cases of Juvenile delinquency such as Aaron Cicourel's 1976 study. This study focused on what kind of juveniles would be brought to court and treated as a delinquent. Cicourel found that there was an obvious emphasis on certain stereotypical expectations such as their physical image. furthermore "Being labelled may intensify one's commitment to a deviant identity and contribute to further deviant behaviour" (Goode, 1990, pg 66)

Some common words found in the essay are:
Howard Becker, Label' Goode, Aaron Cicourel's, Furthermore Interactionists, Social Delinquent, Labelling Theory, Stigma Reflexivity, Glass Self', Charles Cooley, Charles Cooley's, deviant behaviour, 1990 pg, aggleton 1987, aggleton 1987 pg, 1987 pg, interactionist perspective, interactionist theory, deviant act, goode 1990, howard becker, goode 1990 pg, traub 1994 pg, 1994 pg, 'looking glass self', george herbert mead,
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Approximate Pages = 18 (250 words per page double spaced)