Labeling Theory Social Reaction Theory

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Labeling TheorySocial Reaction Theory
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Edwin M. Lemert

• Primary Deviance occasional or situational
  behavior that may be excused or rationalized by
  the actor and/or the social audience (i.e., rule
  breaking).
• Secondary Deviance result of a dynamic
  interaction between the individuals deviation
  and the societal response.

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Relationship between Primary Deviation
Secondary Deviation

• PD ? no social reaction ? No SD
• PD ? mild social reaction ? No SD
• PD ? strong/public reaction ? SD
• PD X? SD

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Labeling Process

• Kid throws a stone at neighbors car
• Informal social reaction neighbor gets angry
• Kid lets neighbors dog out
• Increased social reaction neighbor tells the
  parents

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Labeling Process continued

• Kid is caught shoplifting
• Formal reaction adjudicated juvenile
  delinquent
• Kid sees self as delinquent
• Kid robs a local grocery store with members of a
  gang

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Howard S. Becker

• Labeling theorist
• ethnographer
• jazz musician
• Author of Outsiders
• (1963)

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Labeling

• Moral Entrepreneurs Individuals who either serve
  as rule creators or rule enforcers.
• Moral Crusader Individuals who believe that
  their moral values are superior to those of
  others.

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Labeling Theory Contributions

• Deviance as a result of the social process.
• Deviants achieve status by social definition, not
  inborn traits.
• Reaction of society is the major element in
  determining criminality.
• Negative self-images follow formal mechanisms.
• Labeling perpetuates crime.

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Evaluation

• Assigns a passive role to the offender
• Once a deviant always a deviant
• Too much emphasis on the system

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Crime, Shame, ReintegrationJohn Braithwaite

• Societies have lower crime rates if they
  effectively communicate shame about crime.
  Violent behavior increases if the behavior isnt
  shameful.

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Crime, Shame, ReintegrationJohn Braithwaite

• Disintegrative shaming when offenders are
  treated like outcasts and no attempt is made to
  forgive them.
• Reintegrative shaming Efforts are made to bring
  the offender back into the community. Reduces
  continued deviance when offenders feel ashamed.