lablelling theory

Theorist

Becker

Link to criminal behaviour

Criminality is not something people normally possess but as something that is socially defined and constructed though interactions labelling and societal reactions

What is the labelling theory

How crime and deviance are socially constructed through interactions and meaning that attach to behaviour. Bit why people commit the crime but how society defines and reacts to it

Primary deviance

Minor rule breaking that has not been publicly labelled so the individual does not see themselves as deviant

Secondary deviance

Occurs after labelling when the individual internalises the deviant identity and may act accordingly often beginning their deviant career

Master status

A dominant label or identity that overrides all others in how someone may be seen in society

Self fufilking prophecy

When a label or expectation often leads a person to behave in a way that confirms the label

Moral panic

A public overreaction to a perceived threat to societal values often fuelled by the media

Stereotyping

Oversimplified and fixed ideas about a group which can lead to unfair treatment or labelling

Case studies

Southport riots and Stephen Lawrence

Southport riots 2024

Influencers and far right groups acted as moral entrepreneurs framing attacker as an outsider storing public fear and anger

Stephen Lawrence 1993

The police were slow to act and ignored witnesses and crucial evidence. This behaviour was not seen in cases involving whit victims . Stephen’s friend witnessed the attack and treated with suspicion by the police showing how labelling can affect police behaviour

Strengths

Emphasis on social reaction - stresses how society’s reaction to deviance can lead to further criminal behaviour

Explanation of secondary deviance - labelling a criminal can often push someone into continued offending offering a understanding of why individuals reoffend leading to a self fulfilling prophecy

Class examples to support such as Southport riots and Stephen lawrence

Limitations

Overemphasis on the label - can cause further deviance ignoring the original act or reasons why someone committed the crime in the first place

Too deterministic - implying that once someone is labelled they will inevitably internalise it and will continue to offend underestimating individual choice

Ignores structural causes of crime - focuses on societal reactions and identity rather than wider societal and economic factors associated with poverty and inequality