Ergo, as a result of the labeling process, howard s. Beckers contribution to the labeling theoretical perspective and to modern understanding of. Social groups create deviance through the establishment of social rules, the breaking of these rules results in the perpetrator being labeled as a deviant. Becker 1963 chooses to analyze marijuana because the progression of use can be observed. Labeling theory is an explanatory framework that accounts for these effects. Becker stressed the need for a dynamic approach to the studying of labeling theory rather than a simple cause and effect one. The labelling theory of crime is associated with interactionism the key ideas are that crime is socially constructed, agents of social control label the powerless as deviant and criminal based on stereotypical assumptions and this creates effects such as the selffulfilling prophecy, the criminal career and deviancy amplification. Labeling theory is rooted in the idea of the social construction of reality, which is central to the field of sociology and is linked to the symbolic interactionist perspective. As howard becker 1963 puts it deviancy is not a quality of the act a person commits, but rather a consequences of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an offender. Other criminologists have been doubtful of this part of the theory and hold that a persons race, social class and so on do have an effect. Several people who contributed to its development were howard becker 1963, tannenbaum 1951, and lemert 1938. Changing the context to the school environment impacts of labelling.
Labelling theory sociology bibliographies cite this for me. These people are rule creators, such as crusading reformers of different persuasions, often with humanitarian intents. Becker 1963, one of the early exponents of the interactionist approach. Becker 1963 gives an example of this, police make arrests of two individuals in a poor area for fighting, however, if this same act takes place in a wealthy part of the city, the two young men are likely to be sent on their way with a warning. As it turns out, his readers did itand its not howie. Sage reference becker, howard s labeling and deviant careers.
Labeling theory takes the view that people become criminals when labeled as such and when they accept the label as a personal identity. Beckers labeling theory tannenbaum, lemert, and kitsuse had discussed important concepts in labeling and stigmatization, but the labeling approach was more systematically refined with the work of becker 1963 on societal outsiders. Becker 1963 analyzes the history of marijuana laws in the united states and how individuals progress into the recreational use of the drug. It is for this reason that emphasis should be on understanding the reaction and definition of deviance rather than the causes of the initial act. Becker s outsiders 1963 uses two cases to illustrate his approach to labeling theory. Howard becker theory of labelling social class and attainment. Before him, frank tennenbaum 1938, edwin lemert 1951, john kitsuse 1962 and k.
This theory, also referred to as social reaction theory, is attributed to howard becker 1963, who argued that deviance is constructed by the. For instance there is the labeling theory that corresponds to homosexuality. Howard becker 1963 developed his theory of labeling, also known as social reaction theory, in the 1963 book outsiders. The stigma associated with mental illness results in discrimination, loss of socioeconomic status, lowered sense of selfworth, and increased symptoms. Labeling theory holds that deviance is not inherent to an act, but instead focuses on the tendency of majorities to negatively label minorities or. These are the sources and citations used to research labelling theory. Through the studies reported in the book becker became the principal developer of labelling theory, but he was quite clear that his studies were about societys response to perceived difference, rather than what might actually constitute otherness itself becker 1991. Oct 07, 2011 labeling theory was developed by sociologists during the 1960s.
Beckers 1963 book outsiders is credited as one of the first books on labeling theory and its application to studies of deviance. The foundations of this view of deviance are said to have been first established by lement, 1951 and were subsequently developed by becker, 1963. In light of developments in the understanding of the causes and treatment of mental illness, the theory has undergone modification from its original version to show how internalized stigma affects well. Labeling theory as an explanation of criminal and deviant behavior is. As an area of focus, it flourished within american sociology during the 1960s, thanks in large part to sociologist howard becker. This research fed into his widely read and cited book outsiders, which is considered one of the first texts to develop labeling theory. Deviancy is not a quality of the act a person commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an offender. Labelling theory this paper critically examines howard beckers labeling theory 1963 view that social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance. Sociologist howard becker is credited with the most influential formulation of labeling theory, which appears in his book outsiders 1973. Labeling theory was created by howard becker in 1963. In labeling theory who published his groundbreaking work outsiders in 1963. However, its core ideas can be traced back to the work of founding french sociologist emile durkheim. Labelling theory this paper critically examines howard becker s labeling theory 1963 view that social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance. Becker explored the theory in which deviance is simply a social construction used to persuade the public to fear and criminalized certain groups.
A compulsively readable and thoroughly researched exploration of social deviance and the application of what is known as labeling theory to the studies of deviance. The idea of labeling theory flourished in american sociology during the 1960s, thanks in large part to sociologist howard becker. Mar 22, 2019 the importance of this work is that it shifts analytic focus away from individuals and to social structures and relations, which allows for the social forces at play in producing deviance to be seen, understood, and changed, if need be. Mental illness and labeling theory markowitz major.
Becker s theory evolved during a period of social and political power struggle that was amplified within the world of the college campus pfohl 1994. In this regard, labeling theorists have emphasized that formal. An overview of the important sociological contributions of howard s. Thomas, charles horton cooley, and herbert blumer, among others. Labeling theory and symbolic interaction theory criminology. Becker s 1963 book outsiders provided the foundations for labeling theory. They take leadership in labelling behaviours and advocating or promoting this label throughout society uroda, 2016. The deviant is one to whom that label has successfully been applied. Becker is popular for criticizing other theories of deviance for accepting the existence of deviance and by doing so, accept. Becker s 1963 book outsiders is credited as one of the first books on labeling theory and its application to studies of deviance. Labelling theory sociology bibliographies in harvard style. What makes some acts and some people deviant or criminal.
Some labeling theorists incorporated ideas that were grounded in durkheims functionalism. This shows only that the theory must still be alive and well as it continues to stir interest in not only sociologists but also all social scientists and theorists alike. Howard saul beckers book outsiders was extremely influential in the development of this theory and its rise to popularity. Becker and edwin lemert separately created two theories of criminal deviance, that, at the time were extremely radical. Howard beckers labelling theory 1982 words essay example. The first as well as one of the most prominent labeling theorists was howard becker, who published his groundbreaking work outsiders in 1963. Act rather deviance application of the rules by others he stated in his 1963 paper that deviance is not a quality of action, but an application of rules. Actually the labelling theory was built on becker, 1963. Becker also wrote extensively on sociological writing styles and methodologies. For becker, labeling a certain activity as deviant has two different functions. Becker is popular for criticizing other theories of deviance for accepting the existence of deviance and by doing so. Labeling entails that the identity assigned to an individual is in some respect altered to his discredit. The first section provides an explication of becker s statement within the broader context of. One of the most prominent statements on deviance is contained in the following quotation from howard s.
Lemerts work would later prove to be a valuable theoretical foundation for labeling theories of general deviance, but it was becker 1963 that would be more influential to criminologists, because it laid out, in very clear form, labeling theory positions on the nature of deviant acts, how some behaviors get to be labeled as deviant, and what happens when persons are labeled as deviant. An overview of howard beckers labeling theory of 1963 kibin. The definition of labeling theory presented in his book became the generally accepted one. Prior to becker s work, sociologists looked at nonnormative behavior to establish deviance. The second part of my examination was made in the spring of 1976. The theory claims that for a criminal to be successfully labeled, an audience must be present to provide a reaction to the crimes committed labeling theory concerns itself not with the normal roles that define our lives, but with those very special roles that society provides for. The key people to this theory were becker and lement.
The first section provides an explication of beckers statement within the broader context of labeling theory. Lemert is considered to have been the first to really introduce the ideal and becker is the one who. Evaluating labeling theory of juvenile delinquency. Born in 1928, becker, a chicago native, received all of his degrees bachelors, masters, and doctorate from the university of chicago by the age of 23.
Erikson 1962 had also used an approach called the social reaction approach or the social interaction approach as different from the structural approach used by merton, or the cultural approach used by cohen and cloward. Labeling theory is a vibrant area of research and theoretical development within the field of criminology. Becker defined deviance as a social creation in which social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance, and by applying those rules to particular people and labeling them as outsiders. Becker s book outsiders 1963 that this perspective was brought prominent attention. The labeling theory is defined as the theory of how the selfidentity and behavior of individuals may be determined or influenced by the terms used to describe or classify them.
There is a justification for moral entrepreneurs to take action against this behaviour and to condemn it morally. Labeling theory is also connected to other fields besides crime. In 1963, sociologist howard saul becker published the outsiders. Outsiders, a sandwich book comprised of two previouslypublished articles on marijuana use and two on dance musicians, a twochapter introduction, and a threechapter conclusion and, in the 1973 edition, the authors reappraisal of labeling theory, has been, by far, howard s. A question became popular with criminologists during the mid1960s. Becker becker s most famous book, outsiders 1963, viewed deviance as the cultural product of interactions between people whose occupations involved either committing crimes or catching criminals. It represented a major turning point in the sociology of deviance. Dec 15, 2019 becker 1963 articulated the labelling theory by asserting, social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance, and by applying those rules to particular people and labelling them as outsiders p. Deviancy is not a quality of the act a person commits, but rather a consequence of the application.
He also developed the term moral entrepreneur to describe persons in power who campaign to have certain deviant behavior outlawed becker, 1963. Deviant behaviour is behaviour that people so label. In art worlds 1982, a book that greatly influenced the sociology of art. The earliest statements of labeling theory were made in the 1930s by frank tannenbaum 1938 and lemert 1951. The main theorist within labelling theory howard becker illustrates how crime is the product of social interactions by using the example of a. The effects of labeling and stereotype threat on offender. Labeling theory was developed by sociologists during the 1960s. Howard becker theory of labelling social class and. Howard saul becker s book entitled outsiders was extremely influential in the development of this theory and its rise to popularity. Becker 1963 argues that treating a person as though lie or she were generally rather than specifically deviant produces a selfful filling prophecy. Scientists do not ordinarily question the label deviant.
Labeling theory, also known as social reaction theory, was developed by howard becker in 1963. Howard becker 1963 is held to be the architect of the modern labelling theory. Howard saul becker s book outsiders was extremely influential in the development of this theory and its rise to popularity. The definition of deviance as the breaking of social rules is. Howard becker s labeling theory was developed in 1963 and has been argued, debated and criticized regularly ever since. The labelling theory suggests that most people commit deviant and criminal acts but only come are caught and stigmatised for it. Beckers outsiders is a thorough exploration of social deviance and how it can be addressed in an understanding and helpful manner. In his article becker defines deviance as being created by society. For various reasons, only certain people are labeled as deviant because of this behavior. Howard becker, drug use and the sociology of deviance. Howard saul becker born april 18, 1928 is an american sociologist who has made major contributions to the sociology of deviance, sociology of art, and sociology of music. He is also responsible for coining the term moral entrepreneur which is a term used to describe law making officials who get certain criminal behaviour illegal. Becker coined the phrase moral entrepreneurs white, haines and asquith, 2012 moral entrepreneurs advocate a certain idea that attempts to influence a group to embrace certain ideas becker, 1963.
Evolution of the labeling theory howard becker developed his theory of labeling in the 1963 book outsiders. This second part is probably more accessible to readers i and it can be read separately. Becker proposed that criminal behaviour is dynamic in nature and changes throughout time. There is often a class dimension, since these people are paternalist towards the lower orders, and often allied with other forces, such as bosses wanting a moral workforce or various. According to becker, deviance is not an intrinsic feature of behavior. Thirdly, labelling theory is supposed to cover all criminal activity and has an effect on everyone irrespective of their race, social class, sex and age becker, 1963. As a matter of fact the labelling theory has subsequently become a dominant paradigm in the explanation of devience. This theory was developed by howard sual becker during the 1960s in his book titled. Howard beckers labeling theory was developed in 1963 and has been argued, debated and criticized regularly ever since. Howard becker s approach to the labeling of deviance, as described in outsiders. Labeling theory emerged as the dominant perspective in the study of deviance in the 1960s, though its origins can be traced to. The theory assumes that although deviant behavior can initially stem from various causes and conditions, once individuals have been labeled or defined as deviants, they often face new problems that.
Howard becker developed his theory of labeling also known as social reaction theory in the 1963 book outsiders. Becker, noted jazz pianist and advocate for good writing. Beckers most famous book, outsiders 1963, viewed deviance as the cultural product of interactions between people whose occupations involved either committing crimes or catching criminals. Labeling theory is a pretty simple theory that is based on social deviations which result in the labeling of the outsider.
Labeling theory is situated within the symbolic interactionist framework which suggests that one. Labeling theory labeling theory, which is also known as social reaction theory, explains how criminal careers are based on destructive social interactions and encounters. Jun 30, 2008 one of the most groundbreaking sociology texts of the mid20th century, howard s. Although underscoring the salience of formal labeling, the. Labeling theory, in criminology, a theory stemming out of a sociological perspective known as symbolic interactionism, a school of thought based on the ideas of george herbert mead, john dewey, w. Howard becker is hailed as the founder of modern labeling theory. According to becker, we should study the actions of the individuals because deviance is simply rule breaking behavior that is labeled deviant by persons in positions of power. Studies in the sociology of deviance 1963, views deviance as the creation of social groups and not the quality of some act or behavior. Labelling theory becker 1963, sample of term papers.
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