The Label
Theory in the
Wonderful
Wizard of Oz
By : Ruben Magana &
Fernando Rodriguez
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What is the Label
Theory?
Howard Becker : the father of the
label theory
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Definition: An idea that when a
negative label is applied to a
individual publicity and powerfully
it becomes a part of the person’s
identity
Also known as the Social Reaction
Theory
This negative labels can become a
turning point in a individual’s
identity and life
Label theory divided into three
steps:
1. As soon as the person is labeled
the individual starts to fantasize
about abnormal actions
2. Acceptance of the corrupt label
3. Taking actions onto making
the corrupt label a true
description of themselves
Examples of labeling: “ The
Criminal” “ The Mentally Ill” “The
Homosexual” “ The Outsider”
The Effects of Labeling: Why not to do
it
People look for acceptance from their peers
 Why label someone? Would you like it if
somebody else label you?
 Who is benefiting when you put a negative
label on a individual?
 The damage cause by a negative label can
sometimes be never reverse

The Label Theory In Oz
 Examples
of labeling
in Oz: The Cowardly
Lion, The Scarecrow
 Both are labeled by
their peers in the
story
 Both accept the label
and believe only
someone else can
change their views
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Never believe they are above
the label
Though they don’t believe it
they show the traits and
examples of making the label
wrong
Once the Wizard of Oz “gives”
them their desire traits they
feel the label is no more
Always had a brain and
courage from the beginning
Scarecrow
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When introduce to Dorothy and asked where is Emerald city he
says “ No indeed; I don’t know anything. You see, I am stuffed, so I
have no brains at all”(Pg. 68)
Dorothy tells Scarecrow he doesn’t understand about going back to
Kanas because he has no brains (Pg. 75)
Provides the idea of escaping the Kalidahs by telling Tin Woodman
to cut down a tree so they can cross the river (Pg.126)
Provides the idea of keeping the evil crows from hurting Dorothy
and the group( Pg. 208)
Once the Wizard of Oz gives the Scarecrow a label of having a brain
he says “ I feel wise, indeed. When I get to used to my brains I shall
know everything.” (Pg. 280)
The Cowardly Lion
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As soon as Dorothy calls the lion a coward he admits to being
a coward(Pg. 107)
He believes he was born a coward and is unhappy (pg 109)
The Lion gives a big roar to defend the group from the wicked
witch of the west(Pg. 211)
Displays courage when the Wicked Witch wants to enter his
jail cell and tells her “No. If you come in this yard I will bite
you” ( Pg. 220)
After the Wizard of Oz gives him the “ courage” in the bottle
the Lion states, “ Full of courage.”(Pg. 283)
Film Clips
 http://youtu.be/uK3nQUoNnRw?t=1s
 http://youtu.be/SJr1mr8oYMA?t=1s
Web cited
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http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/becker.htm
http://www.d.umn.edu/~bmork/2306/Theories/BAMlabeling
.htm
http://forensicpsych.umwblogs.org/psychologicaltheories/psychological-theories-2/the-labeling-theory/
http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/e/x/exs44/406/becker
_outsiders_from_weitzer.pdf
Appendix
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http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A2KJkPosjvFRploAGWuJz
bkF?p=label+theory+&fr=yfp-t-900&ei=utf-8&n=30&x=wrt#index=frame
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/51/fugitivevv7.jpg
http://s605.photobucket.com/user/jlgirdler1224/media/Wizard%20of%20Oz/Sc
arecrow.jpg.html
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=howard+s.+becker&qs=n&form=QBIR&
pq=howard+s.+becker&sc=0-0&sp=1&sk=#view=detail&id=FAE11223391F1FD51632F84CADD0E0AA475700B9&sel
ectedIndex=9