The labeling theory is the idea that deviance and conformity result not so much from what people do as from how others respond to those actions (Macionis 178). Some of the things that follow into the labeling theory include primary and secondary deviance, stigma, retrospective and projective labeling and labeling difference as deviance.
The labeling theory is the central contribution to the symbolic-interaction analysis which explains how people tend to see deviance through everyday situations (Macionis 177). Since the labeling theory stresses the perspective of deviance which may cause people to characterize the same behavior in a number of ways. An example of this from the book could be a college student taking a sweater off the back …show more content…
Primary deviance is observed as some norm violations such as skipping school, or drinking while you are underage. Some of these may cause some type of reaction from others, but it has a small effect on a person's self concept according to Edwin Lemert. Also, once their behavior has been noticed by an audience if it is a primary deviance they may start to change, taking on a more deviant identity. Which may involve them talking, dressing and even acting differently. They start rejecting people who are critical and are constantly breaking the rules; this is then caused secondary deviance. Also, as explained by Edwin Lemert, " when a person begins to employ....deviant behavior as a means of defense, attack, or adjustment to the... problems created by societal reaction..., deviance then becomes secondary." One example of this from the book would be a young man as a alcohol abuser this is established as primary deviance. He would then probably be excluded from their friendship network; which just causes him to drink even more than before and become bitter towards those who excluded him and seek for people who will approve of his drinking (Macionis …show more content…
Stigma is known as a powerful negative label that greatly influences a person's self concept and social identity. This was started by secondary deviance which then turns into a deviant career. This stigma behaves as a master status it is overpowering the other dimensions of identity so that a person is discredited in the minds of others and therefore becomes socially secluded. This usually created when a person gains stigma informally as others start to see them as in deviant terms. However, sometimes a whole community stigmatizes an individual in a public way through a degradation ceremony according to Harold Garfinkel. One example of this is a criminal prosecution that acts like a graduation but in reverse that individual stands in front of everyone in the community in a negative view rather than positive (Macionis
The labeling theory is the central contribution to the symbolic-interaction analysis which explains how people tend to see deviance through everyday situations (Macionis 177). Since the labeling theory stresses the perspective of deviance which may cause people to characterize the same behavior in a number of ways. An example of this from the book could be a college student taking a sweater off the back …show more content…
Primary deviance is observed as some norm violations such as skipping school, or drinking while you are underage. Some of these may cause some type of reaction from others, but it has a small effect on a person's self concept according to Edwin Lemert. Also, once their behavior has been noticed by an audience if it is a primary deviance they may start to change, taking on a more deviant identity. Which may involve them talking, dressing and even acting differently. They start rejecting people who are critical and are constantly breaking the rules; this is then caused secondary deviance. Also, as explained by Edwin Lemert, " when a person begins to employ....deviant behavior as a means of defense, attack, or adjustment to the... problems created by societal reaction..., deviance then becomes secondary." One example of this from the book would be a young man as a alcohol abuser this is established as primary deviance. He would then probably be excluded from their friendship network; which just causes him to drink even more than before and become bitter towards those who excluded him and seek for people who will approve of his drinking (Macionis …show more content…
Stigma is known as a powerful negative label that greatly influences a person's self concept and social identity. This was started by secondary deviance which then turns into a deviant career. This stigma behaves as a master status it is overpowering the other dimensions of identity so that a person is discredited in the minds of others and therefore becomes socially secluded. This usually created when a person gains stigma informally as others start to see them as in deviant terms. However, sometimes a whole community stigmatizes an individual in a public way through a degradation ceremony according to Harold Garfinkel. One example of this is a criminal prosecution that acts like a graduation but in reverse that individual stands in front of everyone in the community in a negative view rather than positive (Macionis