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Labeling theory

👥 Sociology By CampusDown Wiki Editorial Team Last updated
Labeling theory holds that the social reaction of labeling someone as deviant can shape their identity and opportunities and so encourage further deviance.
Contents
  1. 1. What is labeling theory?
  2. 2. Development
  3. 3. Criticism
  4. 4. Frequently asked questions
  5. 5. References

What is labeling theory?

Labeling theory treats deviance as a product of social reaction and definition, not only of the act itself. Being labelled "delinquent" can lead people to adopt that identity and lose opportunities, deepening deviance. It grows out of symbolic interactionism.

📌 At a glance
Key scholars
Tannenbaum (1938), Lemert (1951), Becker (1963)
Core idea
Reaction creates deviance
Concepts
Primary/secondary deviance, deviant career
Policy
Diversion, decriminalisation

Development

Tannenbaum described the dramatisation of evil; Lemert distinguished primary and secondary deviance; Becker’s *Outsiders* argued that groups create deviance by making and applying rules.

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Criticism

It explains the origins of primary deviance poorly. Compare structural explanations such as anomie.

Frequently asked questions

What is labeling theory?
A theory that labels applied by society can reinforce deviant identity and behaviour.
What is secondary deviance?
Deviance that follows from accepting a deviant label.

References

  1. Tannenbaum, F. (1938). Crime and the community. Ginn.
  2. Lemert, E. M. (1951). Social pathology. McGraw-Hill.
  3. Becker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the sociology of deviance. Free Press.

Reports and materials that use this theory (Korean)

There are no materials dedicated to this theory yet, but you can search related reports in the CampusDown library (Korean).

Find more reports · Search '낙인이론' on CampusDown →
Stigma and Labelling Theory of Mental IllnessLabelling and stigma in mental illness: Lemert's primary and secondary deviance, Scheff's residual rule-breaking, Goffman's stigma, Link's modified labelling theory, self-stigma, and anti-stigma strategies such as contact.👥 SociologyAnomieWhat anomie means, Émile Durkheim’s concept in The Division of Labour and Suicide, anomic suicide among his four types, Robert Merton’s gap between cultural goals and institutional means, and how the two theories differ.👥 SociologyDifferential association theoryEdwin Sutherland’s differential association theory: nine propositions, frequency, duration, priority and intensity, white-collar crime, Akers’ social learning theory, Glaser’s differential identification, and criticisms.👥 SociologySymbolic interactionismSymbolic interactionism: Blumer’s three premises, Mead’s I and Me, Cooley’s looking-glass self, the Thomas theorem, Goffman and labeling theory, compared with functionalism and conflict theory.👥 SociologySelf-fulfilling prophecyA self-fulfilling prophecy is a false belief or expectation that changes behaviour so that it eventually comes true (Merton, 1948).🧠 PsychologySocial control theorySocial control (social bond) theory holds that delinquency occurs when a person’s bonds to family, school and society weaken.📄 Other

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This article was last updated on October 24, 2026. It is based on widely recognized original works and textbooks; when citing it in a paper, please check the original sources listed in the references.