Games for Criminal Status

Using game-theory the study develops a model of the processes leading to the differential distribution of immunity in society. These processes are shown as having their parallel in everyday life. For criminological research, the model provides a conceptualization of the labeling approach. The study introduces as novel paradigm the principle of marginality, i.e., the phenomenon of ubiquity, scarcity and relativity of marginal positions in social groupings. This paradigm has the properties for an explanation of social behavior and status and provides a new research concept for the study of everyday life, of organizations, and of the systems and the administration of justice.