Deviance, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder. There is nothing inherently deviant in any human act, something is deviant only because some people have been successful in labelling it so. J. L Simmons The definition of the situation implies that if you define a situation as real, it is real only in its consequences. INTRODUCTION Labelling theory, stemming from the influences of Cooley, Mead, Tannenbaum, and Lemert, has its origins somewhere within the context of the twentieth century. However, Edwin Lemert is widely considered the producer and founder of the original version of labelling theory. This paper, not a summary, provides a brief history of labelling theory, as well as, its role in the sociology of deviance. It attempts to explore the contributions made by labelling theorists, the criticism towards labelling theorists, and the discussion surrounding its reality as an actual theory. In essence, the main focus of this paper besides proving an understanding of Howard Becker, is to describe and evaluate `labelling theory` to the study of crime and deviance, by way of an in depth discussion. THEORETICAL IMAGES The theoretical study of societal reaction to deviance has been carried out under different names, such as, labelling theory, interactionist perspective, and the social constructionist perspective. In the sociology of deviance, the labelling theory of deviant behaviour is often used interchangeably with the societal reaction theory of deviancy. As a matter of fact, both phrases point equally to the fact that sociological explanations of deviance function as a product of social control rather than a product of psychology or genetic inheritance. Some sociologists would explain deviance by accepting without question definitions of deviance and concerning themselves with primary aetiology. However, labelling theorists stress the point of seeing deviance from the viewpoint of the deviant individual.
Labeling theory is one of many criminological theories that tries to explain a person's behavior. ... Labeling theory is a complex theory that explains why people think certain acts and behaviors are deviant and why others are not. Labeling theory had many contributors to it's existence. ... Labeling theory is very complex. ... Labeling theory is complex. ...
Labelling Theory There are many views regarding human deviance, one of such is seemed by Howard S. ... In order to view the labelling theory in closer detail; we shall examine the symbolic interaction theory. ... Becker's labelling theory has also drawn to a considerable criticism. ... Following from that, labelling theory shows that the "more powerful people" impose the deviant label on the less powerful. ... However so, the Becker's labelling theory do not necessary diminish the value of...
Differential association theory, in both groups the saints and the roughnecks they displayed this theory. ... Labeling theory, this is the main theme discussed in this study of the two groups. The saint was the label given to the upper class boys. ... I this case the saints were trouble makers but no one could see past their labels. ... The roughnecks" future was also determined by their labels they couldn't escape it. ...
Differential association theory, in both groups the saints and the roughnecks they displayed this theory. ... Labeling theory, this is the main theme discussed in this study of the two groups. The saint was the label given to the upper class boys. ... I this case the saints were trouble makers but no one could see past their labels. ... The roughnecks" future was also determined by their labels they couldn't escape it. ...
Labeling Before I start, I would like for everyone that is not Black to leave the room right now. Since no one is moving, I suppose you believe that this label applies to you. ... Labeling is the attempt to place a title on a certain ethnic group. ... This theory would apply to almost all of the nations of the Earth except for the so-called "Black people" of America. ... So much inconsistent labeling has caused us to have a serious identity crisis. ...
Why is Labelling so powerful? From the 1950's sociologists such as, Becker, Cohen and Lemert have studied the sociology of deviance and have tried to explain the presence of crime in society through labelling theories. ... Lemert addressed and researched the origins of deviance labelling and the consequences of labelling. ... As Becker's typology states, a label doesn't even have to be correct for it to affect the person labelled. ... But by disagreeing with a label given to another individual, they risk being labelled themself. ...
Labeling is another theory that's an important aspect of the symbolic interactionist theory of deviance. The labeling theory explains how the labels or reputations people are given affect not only their own perception, but others' perceptions of them as well, thus channeling their behavior either into deviance or into conformity (Henslin, J. ... A good example of the labeling theory is the study conducted by William J. ... According to Henslin, the labels given to the "Saints" and the "Roughnecks" affected how others perceived them and how they perceived themselve...
One important theory was first offered nearly three-quarters of a century ago by Edwin Sutherland, the theory of differential association. ... It is generally believed that what is labeled deviant depends on cultural definitions and therefore is subject to change as the definitions change. ... Some criticized Sutherland's differential association theory. ... This misinterprets the theory's proposition that criminal behavior is learned. ... However, no other theory of deviance has produced such a favorable long-term acceptance as Sutherland's theory of differential associati...
A lot of theories have been brought up about emotion. Three of them are James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, and the Two Factor Theory. ... With this theory your body and emotions occurred at the same time. ... In the Two Factor Theory it is believed that to experience an emotion someone must be physiologically aroused and cognitively label the arousal. ... With this theory a tranquilizer could only work half the time. ...
