Marcus, a 17-year-old college student, was recently arrested for shoplifting a £150 designer watch from a department store. He was given a formal youth caution and had to attend a restorative justice meeting with his college tutor and the store manager. Marcus's mother is deeply concerned that his college tutors and peers will now permanently view him as a 'criminal' or 'thief'. She worries that this reputation will limit his future opportunities, alienate him from his current friend group, and ultimately drive him to commit more severe offences.
Discuss labelling theory as an explanation of offending behaviour. Refer to Marcus in your response.
120 exam-style questions on Edexcel A Level Psychology Content, covering Biological explanations of crime, Social explanations of crime, Cognitive and ethical interview techniques, Psychological formulation of offending, Cognitive-behavioural treatment for offenders, Biological treatment for offenders, Factors influencing eye-witness testimony, Factors influencing jury decision-making, Individual differences, and Developmental psychology. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.