Labelling Theory | Glossary

moral entrepeneur

powerful individuals or groups who campaign to have certain behaviours defined as deviant

moral crusade

a campaign led by moral entrepreneurs to change society’s norms or laws

negotiation of justice

people from certain backgrounds (e.g., middle class) nay be treated more leniently because they can negotiate with officials

primary deviance

the initial act of rule breaking

secondary deviance

deviance that occurs after an individual is labelled as deviant by society as a response to the negative labelling

master status

the most important label that defines an individual’s identity

deviant career

the process where the individual’s deviance becomes a long term lifestyle, often leading to them being part of a deviant subculture

deviance amplification

the process whereby increased societal reactions attempt to control deviance, leading to an escalation of deviant behaviour

moral panic

episodes where society becomes irrationally concerned about a particular group or issue

folk devil

a person or group blamed for societal problems, seen as a threat to social norms and values

disintegrative shaming

when the offender is publicly labelled and rejected by society

reintegrative shaming

condemning the offence, but accepting the offender back into society