Primary and Secondary Deviance (Lemert)

How did Lemert distinguish between types of deviance to develop Labelling Theory?

• primary deviance

• secondary deviance

• master status

• deviant career

What is primary deviance?

• the initial act of rule-breaking

• not publically labelled

• e.g., shoplifting once

What is secondary deviance?

• occurs after an individual is labelled as deviant

• a response to negative labelling

• the label affects the individual’s self-identity

• leads to further deviant behaviour

What is master status?

• deviance can become the most important part of an individual’s identity

• overshadows all other aspects of identity

What is a deviant career?

• the process of