ABSTRACT
This chapter examines one of the central ideas in Becoming Deviant: signification. It discusses definitions of signification, and describes the signification process. The chapter emphasizes the historical relevance of David Matza's concept of signification, and of labeling theory generally, for contemporary theory, research, and policy. A signification perspective, however, highlights that identity construction unfolds over time and involves the social networks and contexts within which individuals reside. The chapter identifies how signification, as a concept, is useful for understanding crime, sanctioning individuals, and preventing crime. It explains how the state can be viewed as a cause of crime, and also identifies the implications for crime theory and research of focusing on the state as a cause of crime. To the extent that self-identity and other-imposed identity contributes to offending, then state-authorized sanctions that reinforce such identities in turn cause more crime. Affinity and affiliation help to account for why and how individuals come to initially engage in criminal behavior.
