The Labeling Theory: Deviance And The Types Of Crime

Deviance Definition As much as we try not to care what others think about us, without noticing it we take into account the way others perceive us. This is referred to as the labeling theory, ”a reaction to those labels over time form the basis of their self-identity” (Conley, 2015:203). By looking at others a certain way, they tend to notice and adapt to the way we perceive them. When someone has been known to steal, they are looked at as a thief. We would be more careful to watch our belongings around the person, “rather safe than sorry” as people say. Many times people get tired of trying to prove themselves to society and decide if they are constantly being treated as a thief then they should steal, either way, that’s what they’ve been labeled as. When that same person gets arrested for stealing a purse a month later, our feelings are being validated and we continuing judging the next

A formal rule such as a written law to an informal rule such as not to pass gas in public. If the rule is broken people tend to judge the other person whether it’s a formal or informal rule broken. When a member of society does something that others see as wrong, they are judged by peers and sometimes given a punishment they see fit. Certain types of crimes are treated differently, depending on the accused and the type of crime committed. If we would initially try to rehabilitate the person instead of punishment, the person might have a different outcome. Conley gives an example of the kid who played with matches, started a fire and it was considered an accident (Conley, 2015: 203). If he would have been punished for the accident would he have turned out the same upstanding adult? Probably not, arsine is a punishable crime. He might have been taken to juvenile and labeled a troubled child. There he would be treated as so, which untimely makes him believe he is as troubled as they