Labeling Theory
Intro:
The labeling theory is based upon the idea that one is not considered deviant through their actions, but instead deviance is built upon from people negatively judging an individual with disparate behavioral tendencies from the cultural norm. It centralizes around the idea that deviance is relative, as nobody is born deviant, but become deviant through social processes when surrounding peers consistently label a person as deviant. Therefore, one becomes a deviant because one believes that one’s self-concept is a deviant through consistent labeling of external factors, usually from higher authoritative peers. The labeling theory therefore focuses on how one’s self-identity or behavior can be shaped and influenced by how other people classify and react to one’s actions. This paper will begin by analyzing foundational frameworks of the labeling theory, and proceed with how this theory then was exemplified. Then, the main points of this theory will be summarized, following in depth classifications, and then an example of the application of the labeling theory to policy.
Intellectual Foundation:
The foundational base of the labeling theory is built around the theories created from Mead, Tannenbaum and Lemert. Mead created the idea of symbolic interactionism, that everyone creates their self-identity or human behavior through social interactions with their surrounding environment. Then by putting together all these experiences, one uses this to construct their own self-identity . There is a strong correlation to labeling theory as it is built upon the idea that the labels attached to individuals are built by others’ conception of the individual’s behavior. Tannenbaum constructed the idea of the “Dramatization of the Evil”, which has a central premise of how adolescents become delinquents. Many activities that adults do not approve of include smoking, flooding school washrooms or cutting classes. When informally punished by teachers or parents, if
The labeling theory is based upon the idea that one is not considered deviant through their actions, but instead deviance is built upon from people negatively judging an individual with disparate behavioral tendencies from the cultural norm. It centralizes around the idea that deviance is relative, as nobody is born deviant, but become deviant through social processes when surrounding peers consistently label a person as deviant. Therefore, one becomes a deviant because one believes that one’s self-concept is a deviant through consistent labeling of external factors, usually from higher authoritative peers. The labeling theory therefore focuses on how one’s self-identity or behavior can be shaped and influenced by how other people classify and react to one’s actions. This paper will begin by analyzing foundational frameworks of the labeling theory, and proceed with how this theory then was exemplified. Then, the main points of this theory will be summarized, following in depth classifications, and then an example of the application of the labeling theory to policy.
Intellectual Foundation:
The foundational base of the labeling theory is built around the theories created from Mead, Tannenbaum and Lemert. Mead created the idea of symbolic interactionism, that everyone creates their self-identity or human behavior through social interactions with their surrounding environment. Then by putting together all these experiences, one uses this to construct their own self-identity . There is a strong correlation to labeling theory as it is built upon the idea that the labels attached to individuals are built by others’ conception of the individual’s behavior. Tannenbaum constructed the idea of the “Dramatization of the Evil”, which has a central premise of how adolescents become delinquents. Many activities that adults do not approve of include smoking, flooding school washrooms or cutting classes. When informally punished by teachers or parents, if
Bibliography: Becker, H. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the sociology of deviance. New York: Free Press. Gomme, I. M. (2007). The Shawdow Line: Deviance and crime in canada (4th Edition ed.). Toronto: Nelson. Tannenbaum, F. (1938). Crime and the community. New York: Columbia University Press.