The intervention that I have chosen to cover is labeling theory. This particular theory has harnessed quite the debate throughout its existence. There certainly are many theorists who endorse this theory, while others do not. In the present criminal justice system, there is a constant debate on whether labeling theory is beneficial, or whether it causes more deviant actions. However, labeling theory is still evolving, and will most certainly continue to evolve for some time to allow research to flourish. To further explain, labeling theory, in the criminal justice realm, is used as a sociological method in which labels can be construed to stigmatize individuals, as well as offenders for criminal or deviant behaviors and actions. This theory
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This action or behavior is then witnessed, and then is deemed as deviant. Ways in which these acts can be looked at as deviant are by gestures, labels, comments, etc. These types of conversations contribute to the stigmatization a person or offender experiences. Once this individual has this label, accepts it, and believes it, then they now look at themselves with that particular label in mind. This particular thought process, in thinking about criminals, is often times negative and can be an obstacle for offenders to overcome due to the belief that all they are is the label attached to them (Adams, Robertson, Gray-Ray, & Ray, 2003). A tremendously imperative aspect to understand is that there are altering processes within societies that change throughout time and place, in which society looks at certain acts as deviant, and other acts as not. Therefore, the crucial element to recognize is that there is a drastic amount of variables that are in play that can change whether a society or group of people looks at another person’s actions as deviant (Thomas & Bishop, …show more content…
First, the offender might be at an increased risk to associate with other individuals that are delinquent, or involved in criminal activity. This type of behavior is due to the acceptance of the label, and the offender may feel as if he or she fits in with this category of people better. This new group of individuals that the offender is surrounded by may have criminal beliefs and attitudes, which also can contribute to further offending, or sadly may result in conformity that may last a long time (Besemer, Farrington, & Bijileveld,
This action or behavior is then witnessed, and then is deemed as deviant. Ways in which these acts can be looked at as deviant are by gestures, labels, comments, etc. These types of conversations contribute to the stigmatization a person or offender experiences. Once this individual has this label, accepts it, and believes it, then they now look at themselves with that particular label in mind. This particular thought process, in thinking about criminals, is often times negative and can be an obstacle for offenders to overcome due to the belief that all they are is the label attached to them (Adams, Robertson, Gray-Ray, & Ray, 2003). A tremendously imperative aspect to understand is that there are altering processes within societies that change throughout time and place, in which society looks at certain acts as deviant, and other acts as not. Therefore, the crucial element to recognize is that there is a drastic amount of variables that are in play that can change whether a society or group of people looks at another person’s actions as deviant (Thomas & Bishop, …show more content…
First, the offender might be at an increased risk to associate with other individuals that are delinquent, or involved in criminal activity. This type of behavior is due to the acceptance of the label, and the offender may feel as if he or she fits in with this category of people better. This new group of individuals that the offender is surrounded by may have criminal beliefs and attitudes, which also can contribute to further offending, or sadly may result in conformity that may last a long time (Besemer, Farrington, & Bijileveld,