Edwin Lemert and Howard S. Becker defined the labeling theory as deviance not being the quality of the act a person commits but that people are more likely to commit criminal and deviant behaviors because they have been labeled as deviant. This label often leads to this continued behavior. The absolutist definition of deviance is something that is inherently wrong, while the relativist definition explains that something is labeled as deviant when it opposes the majority’s ideas and rules. The example of the Saints and Roughnecks found in page 174 of the page supports the notion that criminals are created by the labeling activities of the powerful. Both the Saints and the Roughnecks were groups of delinquent male high school students who committed deviant behavior and got into fights. However, these deviant actions by the Saints were only considered to be harmless pranks while the Roughnecks were seen as troublemakers. What caused this difference is that the Saints came from middle class families and were never arrested, while the Roughnecks came from poor families. The Roughnecks were often in trouble with the police, mostly because of the label of trouble makers brought to them by their socioeconomic situation. …show more content…
The book states, “There is nothing inherent in murder that makes it deviant. Rather, murder is considered deviant because of the circumstances under which it occurs…” (174). This can be conceived that killing is viewed as deviant behavior because those government officials in power have deemed it as deviant. The example is given of wartime in which those who kill during a war receive medals rather than arrest records. In addition, if a police officer kills an armed criminal in self-defense, it is not considered a deviant murder. It goes for capital punishment in which those in power are the ones who label the act deviant or
Deviance is one of the thresholds in Hollywood comedy; almost every comedic comedy uses some form of social deviance to attract a laugh. The labeling theory is one of the most common theories that Hollywood uses to make people chuckle. The labeling theory basically states that the appearance a person has often reflects on how they are treated. Deviance other than labeling theory is the core of almost all comedic movies. From the classic movies like Caddy Shack and Great Outdoors to new comedic hits deviance is used to create a funny and enjoyable experience.
Bohm and Brenda L. Vogel, the Labeling theory is used to explain why people commit crimes and conceive themselves as criminals. Overall the Labeling theory consists of social groups creating rules and then applying those rules to particular people and labeling them as outsiders. This theory is split into two types of deviances: primary deviance and secondary deviance. Primary deviance is the initial criminal act, for example, a man robs a bank. A secondary deviance is committing a crime after the first criminal act and accepting the label of a criminal. Following the previous example, after the man robs the bank, he decides to do it again because he now sees himself as a criminal bank robber and wants to continue doing it and is okay with being seen that
This paper presents how labeling theory and strain theory can explain the crimes that the White family from West Virginia commit on a daily basis. The wonderful White of West Virginia portrays corruption and poverty. They do not conform to any authority or rules; all they want to do is fuss, fight and party. The White family takes part in shoot-outs, robberies, gas huffing, drug dealing, pill popping and murders. They are famously known for their Hill Billy tap dancing and wild criminal ways.
The theoretical study of societal reaction to deviance has been carried out under different names, such as, labelling theory, interactionist perspective, and the social constructionist perspective. In the sociology of deviance, the labelling theory of deviant behaviour is often used interchangeably with the societal reaction theory of deviancy. As a matter of fact, both phrases point equally to the fact that sociological explanations of deviance function as a product of social control rather than a product of psychology or genetic inheritance. Some sociologists would explain deviance by accepting without question definitions of deviance and concerning themselves with primary aetiology. However, labelling theorists stress the point of seeing deviance from the viewpoint of the deviant individual. They claim that when a person becomes known as a deviant, and is ascribed deviant behaviour patterns, it is as much, if not more, to do with the way they have been stigmatized, then the deviant act they are said to have committed. In addition, Howard S. Becker (1963), one of the earlier interaction theorists, claimed that, "social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitute deviance, and by applying those rules to particular people and labelling them as outsiders". Furthermore, the labelling theoretical approach to deviance concentrates on the social reaction to deviance committed by individuals, as well as, the interaction processes leading up to the labelling.
Labeling theory of deviance suggests that when one is labeled constantly on the basis of any minority it gives rise to deviant behavior in order to prove the strength of the minority. The minority has been labeled so by people for a long time. They have been labeled because of their race. The gang is labeled anti-social because of their criminal behavior which turns them further to deviance. The use of the labeling theory can be seen being implemented very judiciously
As mentioned in lecture, labeling theory asks two critical questions: what is crime, and who is criminal? This is the central tenet of labeling theory because the focus is on what activities constitute criminal behaviour within the context. This means that over time, the general perspective changes in regards to what can be labeled 'crime.' For instance, society is known to react negatively towards prostitution in the past; whereas the contemporary reaction is primarily to legalize it.
The story of the Saints and the Roughnecks shows how great the impact that appearance, background, and action can have on a reputation following the future. While both groups participated in deviant behavior only one (the Roughnecks) were perceived as bad within the community and received punishment. Several sociology theories offer explanations as to why this came to be with each giving a twist on how human perception can be misleading in such events.
The labelling theory is a significant approach for researchers in an effort to broadening the understanding of delinquency and unusual behavior. Besides, it’s worth noting that the labeling theory was a major breakthrough for many decades, thus its symbolized both theoretical and methodological aspect for criminologist, and in fact, it was known as a theoretical view of crime and deviance, particularly in the 1960s up to the early 1980s. During that era, the conclusion among scholars are that no behavior is intrinsically illicit. Also, “definitions of criminality are established by those in power through the formulation of laws and the interpretation of those laws by police, courts, and correctional institutions” (google, labeling theory, 2016). During that time, the view on deviance was not necessarily narrow down to a particular individual or a group of folks but instead a process of interactionism among deviant and none-deviant acts and the situation in which misconduct interpreted. While labeling theory is a significant concept that emphasizes that social deviations that derived of offender’s being labeling as a lawbreaker; however, scholars who have extensively research this philosophy, they have a slightly differ of opinion of the labeling theory view that is actually doing the opposite of what it was meant to be.
There exists conflicting theories among sociologists in the area of determining why a person is considered to be a deviant, and the reasons behind why he or she has committed a deviant act. From a positivistic perspective, deviance is based on biological or social determinism. Alternatively, from a constructionist perspective, deviance is created and assigned by society. Both perspectives seek to give a theory for why a person may become known as deviant. Although they both view similar acts as deviant, the basic differences between positivists and constructionists theories are clear.
2. When looking at the labeling theory, those who are deviant get labeled which unfortunately results in isolating from the society they live in. deviant activity means those actions contrary to the norms whether discovered or not. Labeling shows a distinction between breaking the rules and deviance with deviance being that rule breaking that is labeled. Conflict theory focuses on different interests of members of society.
The Labeling Theory is the view that labels people are given affect their own and others’ perception of them, thus channeling their behavior either into deviance or into conformity. Labels can be positive and/or negative, but I’ll focus on the negative aspects of labeling in high school. Everybody has a label in high school whether it is the “slut”, “pothead”, “freak” or the “jock”; it is one of the most apparent time periods in which individuals get labeled. Students have the mentality that whatever label is placed on them is going to be stuck with them forever, which then leads into a self-fulfilling prophecy. This, I feel, is a fear of being a “loser” that has been instilled throughout years by the principals, teachers, etc. An example of this is the pressure students are given to get a good grade. In order to get into an honors class they need to pass a certain test, should they not get into honors class the following year, then all throughout the rest of their remaining school life, they’ll never be able to be in honors class. They’ll then no longer be seen as the “smart” students they were “before”(even though they still are), they’ll now be labeled as “dumb” and eventually start to believe, and become their label. Another example of this is being labeled a “slut”. When a girl has been labeled a slut, early or in the middle of her school life, the label sticks with her all throughout her remaining school years. At first, she could reject this label, and try to “change”...
...more stimulus for the individual to learn from (Williams.F. McShane.M.2010.p241). Furthermore, deviance within the labelling theory is defined through society’s norms and value’s, where as the deviance within the learning theory is imitation of deviance from society.
Crime is defined by those in power- People in power shape the criminal law with their values without an objective understanding for right and wrong. Not only are acts labeled, but also people- Labels define a person without even meeting them. A person defined as smart or intelligent are more likely to succeed and stay above the law. In contrast, negative labeling can stigmatize a person into reincarnating the name given, resulting in criminal acts and major long-term consequences. Subject interpretation of behavior involves both positive and negative labels- Negative consequences are labeled only when do the labeling. The act itself can have a negative label but the contributor can be excused of the crime. For instance, a person can kill someone, but not be labeled as a murder due to an individual in take on the crime. The consequences of labeling can unfold a tale of actions, shutting out the individual will result to criminal offenses due to the feeling of detachment as well as, isolation. A label; rumor or suspicion can leave a permanent print on someone’s life. The individual will want to live up to the label depending on the severity and notice of the name. Primary deviance is, crimes or acts that are not recorded or labeled as crimes. Simply, an act within the norm and
Label theory is based in the idea that behaviors are irregular when the society labels them as irregular. The label theory implies that a person commits a crime in some time of a life, but that person is not seen as deviant, while other people are deviant. Label theory explains how a behavior of a person conflicts with the norms of the society. For example, A black young men, who lives in a neighborhood controlled by gangs may be labeled as a gang member. In consequence, that young man can start to act as gang member or became one. He incorporates the label that was given to him.
Labelling theory outlines the sociological approach towards labelling within societies and in the development of crime and deviance (Gunnar Bernburg, and D. Krohn et al., 2014, pp. 69-71). The theory purposes that, when an individual is given a negative label (that is deviant), then the individual pursues their new (deviant) label / identity and acts in a manner that is expected from him/her with his/ her new label (Asencio and Burke, 2011, pp. 163-182).