Labeling Theory
(Note: the title of "labeling theory" can be a bit misleading, so be careful here. Labeling
theoristsdo not like labels, okay? But they say that labeling is a social fact, especially when we
talk about social institutions like law enforcement, social service agencies, and mental health
facilities. So therefore they study the power of labels in our society). Also note that this
theory combines two theoretical perspectives--conflict theory and symbolic interactionism. You
should be able to explain what that last sentence means, okay?
-- the theory explains deviance as a social process whereby some people are able to define
others as deviant. It emphasizes that the deviance is relative -- it is not until a label is given to
someone by someone else in a position of social power that the person actually "becomes" a
deviant.
-- has some important terms linked to the theory:
-- primary deviance -- behavior that does not conform to the social norms, but the behavior
might be temporary, fleeting, exploratory, trivial, or especially, concealed from most others.
The person who commits the deviant act does not see him/herself as deviant; put differently, it
is not internalized as a part of the person's self concept
-- secondary deviance -- behavior that does not conform to the social norms, but 1) the
behavior tends to be more sustained over time. The person continues to do the deviant
behavioreven after being caught and labeled by a social institution. The person accepts the
deviant label, incorporating it into the person's self concept.
-- deviant career -- continued secondary deviance, that becomes one's "job" and becomes
one's primary economic activity. Person accepts the deviant label.
-- radical non-intervention: labeling theory's solution, at least to juvenile deviance. Has two
parts: 1) preferably do not label anyone, but especially not a juvenile. Sociology knows that
many adolescents reduce or stop their deviance as they become adults and accept adult
statuses and roles. So labeling them might in fact prevent that "becoming good" transition as
they become adults, and 2) if anyone has to be labeled, label fairly -- don't "peak" and notice
social class, race, sex, etc., and therefore label some individuals differently than others.
-- the theory has both strengths and weaknesses. Think about what they might be.