The+sociocultural+level+of+analysis-poverty-labeling+and+self-fulfilling+prophecies

= Poverty and Labeling and Self-fulfilling Prophecies:  The Sociocultural Effect on Criminal Behavior =

Key Terms:
Structural Poverty - a holistic view on poverty. Encompasses single-parent, education level, infant mortality rates, and social mobility.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy - Living up to a given label or expectation.

Poverty
Much Research has been done on the effects of poverty on criminal behavior. Many assume that poor people are more likely to commit crimes. However, research conducted has been inconclusive. Messner (1988) recommended that one uses a structural poverty approach, rather than amount of income, because it applies to more traits. Structural poverty looks at single-parent families, low levels of education, high infant mortality rates, and low social mobility. These things have been found to have much more correlation with criminal behavior, rather than income alone. Unemployment is also another factor affecting criminal behavior. However, most people simply look at the loss of income as the reason for the criminal activity. Unemployment is actually much more complex than simply a loss of income. Unemployment can damage one's self-esteem, and instigate a feeling of meaningless towards life. Also, the person may become bored with nothing to do all day. These factors may present more risk for criminal behavior than simply a loss of income. Social factors may interact with biological factors to cause criminal behavior. Poverty could cause more stress on the mother of a child than a well-off mother might experience. This stress can impact an unborn child and affect brain functioning, leading to criminal behavior later in life. However, much more research is needed on this before it can be seriously considered as a cause of criminal behavior.

Labeling and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
Society can affect behavior by labeling. Research shows, that if labeled, one will often live up to it. Jahoda (1954) did research on the Ashanti people of Ghana. The Ashanti name their males according to the day of the week they are born on. Children born on Monday are supposed to be calm and reserved. Children born on Wednesdays are supposed to be aggressive and problematic. Jahoda looked at the local police records, and found many arrests for boys born on Wednesday, and very few arrests for boys born on Mondays. This evidence supports the theory of labeling, as the labels created self-fulfilling prophecies.