Through the examination of the scientific method, it is evident that labeling theory is all-inclusive; however understanding the process of labeling and the presences of criminal behavior is complex. In addition, there is a plethora of contributing theorists that have shaped labeling theory over time. The basic question for labeling theory has been asked even before the leading the theorists. If society labels an individual after they have committed deviant behavior or a criminal act, will that lead to further crimes from that individual? Simply put, does society guide individuals to commit deviant behavior after society has labeled the individual a criminal? Frank Tannenbaum did much of the early research, along with Edwin Lemert. However,
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If an individual commits a deviant act or behavior that causes them the receive repercussions, then they have received a temporary label from society. According to Fix (2015), primary deviance “occurs when then offender tries to rationalize the behavior as a temporary aberration or sees it as a part of a socially accepted role.” In addition, primary deviance is where the individual does not see him or her self as a deviant. The second hypothesis emerges from the first hypothesis. If the deviant individual beings to believe in the label and how society reacts to the individual, then over time the individual will accept the label and commit deviant acts. Fix (2015) explains that secondary deviance occurs when the societal reaction progressively intensifies “with each act of primary deviance, [causing] the offender [to become] stigmatized through ‘name calling, labeling, stereotyping,’” that ultimately leads to the individuals accepting the deviant status. In turn, these perspectives helped identify independent and dependent variables. The independent variable in the labeling theory is based on either the individual’s specific crime that leads to a label or the label that leads the individual to commit similar or like crimes. The dependent variable is the …show more content…
The 1960s were full of discord and a lack of conformity and uniformity. Unlike the 1950s where crime was not as prevalent and society conformed to social norms, the 1960s was faced the equality of all dimensions. Form the civil rights movement, women’s rights, and the Vietnam War, conformity was low, the question of why people were commit crime was being asked more frequently and labeling individuals produced a large rate of recidivism throughout the nation. According to Lilly, Cullen, and Ball (2015), the rise of labeling theory not only affected individuals labeled with deviant behavior, but the labeling relationship between society and the government (p. 163). During this time, labeling theory brought a new and improved way to view criminals and how to deal with them accordingly. Lilly, Cullen, and Ball (2015) note, “the stage was set, moreover, for a reexaminations of existing crime control policies” (p.
If an individual commits a deviant act or behavior that causes them the receive repercussions, then they have received a temporary label from society. According to Fix (2015), primary deviance “occurs when then offender tries to rationalize the behavior as a temporary aberration or sees it as a part of a socially accepted role.” In addition, primary deviance is where the individual does not see him or her self as a deviant. The second hypothesis emerges from the first hypothesis. If the deviant individual beings to believe in the label and how society reacts to the individual, then over time the individual will accept the label and commit deviant acts. Fix (2015) explains that secondary deviance occurs when the societal reaction progressively intensifies “with each act of primary deviance, [causing] the offender [to become] stigmatized through ‘name calling, labeling, stereotyping,’” that ultimately leads to the individuals accepting the deviant status. In turn, these perspectives helped identify independent and dependent variables. The independent variable in the labeling theory is based on either the individual’s specific crime that leads to a label or the label that leads the individual to commit similar or like crimes. The dependent variable is the …show more content…
The 1960s were full of discord and a lack of conformity and uniformity. Unlike the 1950s where crime was not as prevalent and society conformed to social norms, the 1960s was faced the equality of all dimensions. Form the civil rights movement, women’s rights, and the Vietnam War, conformity was low, the question of why people were commit crime was being asked more frequently and labeling individuals produced a large rate of recidivism throughout the nation. According to Lilly, Cullen, and Ball (2015), the rise of labeling theory not only affected individuals labeled with deviant behavior, but the labeling relationship between society and the government (p. 163). During this time, labeling theory brought a new and improved way to view criminals and how to deal with them accordingly. Lilly, Cullen, and Ball (2015) note, “the stage was set, moreover, for a reexaminations of existing crime control policies” (p.