Labeling Theory
By Richard Bennet
Abstract:
Labeling theory is a sociological theory about the cause and effect of labeling individuals based on their behavior. The theory dates back to 1930's it was developed as a means to explain anti-social behavior. It was later redefined in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The theory was first introduced by George Herbert Mead, a sociologist. He theorized if a person is labeled due to behavior that is outside the social norm, he will internalize the label and then act according to that anti-social behavior.
Some questions that the theory raises are. Is this theory a valid theory for explaining anti-social behavior? Is the use of the labeling advance the cause of the society …show more content…
He found that negative “tags” often contributed to further involvement in delinquent activities and may result in the individual adopting the label as part of their identity. Tannenbaum theorized the way out is through a “refusal to dramatize the evil”. This concept called for own playing the tags within the justice system by use of rehabilitative services rather than punishment model would improve the outcome and reduce recidivism. A stigma is a powerfully negative label that changes the person’s self-concept and societal identity. Society uses stigmatic labeling to justify its condemnation of the deviant actor. Once stigmatized the individual internalizes the concept and may adopt the label as part of their own identify. The labeling promotes the deviant behavior and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Edwin Lemert in 1951 developed the theory of primary and secondary deviance. The primary deviance is the experience connect to the overt behavior which is outside the societal norm.(Lemert, E) This would be the actual act or conduct which results in the individual being labeled. The secondary deviation is the role created to deal with the society condemnation. That is the identifying and continuation of the labeling behavior or conduct. The secondary stage is when the individual internalizes the deviant …show more content…
When conduct is criminalized and a person is labeled a criminal he may not be able to re-enter society. It may become impossible to obtain employment because of that label. The person who is a convicted pedophile has a difficult finding housing due to this label. The need to label in the criminal justice system in order to classify the criminal conduct may result in long-term labeling of the offender which may cause prejudice against the offender. If the person is then unable to support themselves once released from incarceration they may have to resort to criminal behavior just to
By Richard Bennet
Abstract:
Labeling theory is a sociological theory about the cause and effect of labeling individuals based on their behavior. The theory dates back to 1930's it was developed as a means to explain anti-social behavior. It was later redefined in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The theory was first introduced by George Herbert Mead, a sociologist. He theorized if a person is labeled due to behavior that is outside the social norm, he will internalize the label and then act according to that anti-social behavior.
Some questions that the theory raises are. Is this theory a valid theory for explaining anti-social behavior? Is the use of the labeling advance the cause of the society …show more content…
He found that negative “tags” often contributed to further involvement in delinquent activities and may result in the individual adopting the label as part of their identity. Tannenbaum theorized the way out is through a “refusal to dramatize the evil”. This concept called for own playing the tags within the justice system by use of rehabilitative services rather than punishment model would improve the outcome and reduce recidivism. A stigma is a powerfully negative label that changes the person’s self-concept and societal identity. Society uses stigmatic labeling to justify its condemnation of the deviant actor. Once stigmatized the individual internalizes the concept and may adopt the label as part of their own identify. The labeling promotes the deviant behavior and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Edwin Lemert in 1951 developed the theory of primary and secondary deviance. The primary deviance is the experience connect to the overt behavior which is outside the societal norm.(Lemert, E) This would be the actual act or conduct which results in the individual being labeled. The secondary deviation is the role created to deal with the society condemnation. That is the identifying and continuation of the labeling behavior or conduct. The secondary stage is when the individual internalizes the deviant …show more content…
When conduct is criminalized and a person is labeled a criminal he may not be able to re-enter society. It may become impossible to obtain employment because of that label. The person who is a convicted pedophile has a difficult finding housing due to this label. The need to label in the criminal justice system in order to classify the criminal conduct may result in long-term labeling of the offender which may cause prejudice against the offender. If the person is then unable to support themselves once released from incarceration they may have to resort to criminal behavior just to