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Benny's Labeling Theory

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Define
One of the most notable approaches in understanding deviance and delinquency has been the concept and founding of the labeling theory. John Hamlin stated, “The labelling perspective had a large number of followers in the 1960s and early 1970’s…It has lost in recent years much of its early luster but so much of what it has given to theoretical criminology remains as truisms”
(Hamlin, 2001). Figures such as Edwin M. Lemer, Howard S. Becker, Kai Erikson, and John
Kitsuse are the ones who came to define and outline the labeling theory approach. Once the labeling prospective was introduced, it caused plenty of research to be done with endless hours of debate.
Hamlin also debated that “The intellectual heritage of labelling is directly traceable …show more content…
Benny never stole from a store again. Benny was, of course, never taught to steal thus his actions strayed away from the social norms, paying for merchandise, and his actions were coined as deviant. But because the deviant behavior only took place one time, Benny strictly only participated in primary deviation; he learned from his mistake.
Secondary deviation refers to “the ways in which stigma and punishment can actually make the crime or deviance “become central facts of existence for those experiencing them, altering psychic structure, producing specialized organization of social roles and self-regarding attitudes” (Lemert, 1967). This is best exemplified by Lindsey and Tiffany (high school sophomores) who are best friends, both of which were raised to not participate in partying and drinking alcohol. Tiffany begins to befriend “the party crowd” and soon partakes in drinking alcohol along with other illegal actions.Lindsey, who feels as if she is losing her best friend, attends the next party, gets drunk, and disappoints her parents who find out the next …show more content…
The idea of the labeling theory causing criminality comes up short in recent studies and criminal tracking. Just because one participates in primary deviant behavior, they should not be tagged as a deviant thus the idea of secondary deviance is out of the question. I agree with the idea that the effects of labeling are numerous with the biggest being the effect it has on the sense of self or identity; arguments Lemert makes.
It is evident that when an individual is labeled by society, it causes a change in their self- concept/identity from normal to deviant. Humans begin to take on a new identity once being labeled; a stigma. According to Goffman, “the person becomes a shoplifter first and foremost even in his or her own mind” (Goffman, 1961). The individual participates in the deviant behavior, sees society’s reaction (knowing it is against society’s norms), and labels themselves as a deviant in their own mind.
The credibility of labeling might have lessened through the years, but the idea

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