No more self-defeating device could be discovered than the…
““No more self-defeating device could be discovered than the one society has developed in dealing with the criminal. It proclaims his career in such loud and dramatic forms that both he and the community accept the judgment as a fixed description. He becomes conscious of himself as a criminal, and the community expects him to live up to his reputation, and will not credit him if he does not live up to it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Societal labeling can cement criminal identity, making reform difficult and self‑fulfilling.
In simple terms: Labels can trap individuals as criminals.
Key Takeaway
Challenge stereotypes to enable change.
Themes
justice
labeling
identity
society
reform
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
Crime:1
Criminal justice:1
Criminal justice system:1
Judgment:1
Dealing Criminal:0
Conscious Criminal:0
Criminal Community:0
Criminal Proclaims:0
When to use this quote
- court sentencing
- rehabilitation programs
- media narratives
Key Concepts
sociology
criminology
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do labels affect behavior?
- What alternatives to labeling exist?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex causes.