Edwin Sutherland is the founder of the differential association theory. This theory states that criminal behavior is learned from the interactions that an individual has with their peers and group members. It does not necessarily have to be criminal behavior that is learned, any behavior can be picked up but the importance is stressed between learning behavior from continuous interactions with others. Therefore, deviance is learned from an individual associating with a group of deviants and picking up or learning the behavior from the group. An example of this is underage drinking. If an individual hangs out with a group of peers that go out and party often by drinking and consider drinking to be a way to “lighten up” than eventually the individual
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Three characteristics that are involved with labeling theory are stigmas, primary and secondary deviance, and self fulfilling prophecy. Stigmas are labels that are placed on individuals to devalue them. Primary deviance is the action of committing a deviant act and not being punished or caught for the act. Secondary deviance can occur as a result of primary deviance. This is where the individual continues the deviant act. Self-fulfilling prophecy is where an individual acts the way they are being viewed by …show more content…
An individual is caught selling drugs and is labeled as a drug dealer even though they only sold drugs once. They are not suffering from any formal sanctions and are let off. They then continue into secondary deviance because of the label being pushed onto them as a drug dealer and a self-fulfilling prophecy effect is created. It could also make it harder for that individual to make any money any other way not that they have been labeled. They will be labeled by their community as a drug dealer and this will make it harder for them to find steady work which could lead them into following the path of a drug dealer because at least that way they know for sure they can make money with the label that has been placed on
Three characteristics that are involved with labeling theory are stigmas, primary and secondary deviance, and self fulfilling prophecy. Stigmas are labels that are placed on individuals to devalue them. Primary deviance is the action of committing a deviant act and not being punished or caught for the act. Secondary deviance can occur as a result of primary deviance. This is where the individual continues the deviant act. Self-fulfilling prophecy is where an individual acts the way they are being viewed by …show more content…
An individual is caught selling drugs and is labeled as a drug dealer even though they only sold drugs once. They are not suffering from any formal sanctions and are let off. They then continue into secondary deviance because of the label being pushed onto them as a drug dealer and a self-fulfilling prophecy effect is created. It could also make it harder for that individual to make any money any other way not that they have been labeled. They will be labeled by their community as a drug dealer and this will make it harder for them to find steady work which could lead them into following the path of a drug dealer because at least that way they know for sure they can make money with the label that has been placed on