He interviewed 60 high school teachers in chicago, and as a result found out that they all shared the same idea of an ideal student and they judged pupils according to how closely they fitted that image. Pdf labelling theory societal reaction theory trixie. 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. This 1963 piece established an early foundation for what has become known as the interactionist theory of deviant behavior.
In sweden, lunden and nasman have published contributions. Labelling theory has been applied to the context of the school to explain differences in educational achievement this should sound familiar from year 1. Jun 30, 2008 one of the most groundbreaking sociology texts of the mid20th century, howard s. One of these is the users belief that he can conceal his marihuana smoking from his environment. Labeling theory is also connected to other fields besides crime. Beckers labelling theory labelling theory emerged as a dominant theory on crime during the 1960s and it challenged the traditional view of positivist criminology that regarded crime to be caused of factors such as moral development and. Several people who contributed to its development were howard becker 1963, tannenbaum 1951, and lemert 1938. Labeling theory aka social reaction theory was first proposed during the late 1950s in opposition to normative theorists. Howard saul becker refers specifically to studies of marijuana smokers and dance band musicians labelling theory is a result of the work of howard becker. Oct 17, 2019 howard saul becker refers specifically to studies of marijuana smokers and dance band musicians labelling theory is a result of the work of howard becker. An overview of howard beckers labeling theory of 1963 kibin. Becker earned bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees in sociology from the university of chicago, studying with those considered a part of the chicago school of sociology, including everett c. Becker born in chicago, illinois on april 18,1928 received his ph. The earliest critiques of labeling objected to the theorys disregard for the actual behavior of the deviant and the image of the deviant being coerced by the labeling process into a deviant identity role.
One of the most groundbreaking sociology texts of the mid20th century, howard s. Howard becker developed labelling theory which is key within symbolic interactionism. 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. Characteristics such as organised, determined, hardworking, punctual etc. The main theorist within labelling theory howard becker illustrates how crime is the product of social interactions by using the example of a. Labeling theory is an explanatory framework that accounts for these effects. Labeling theory emerged as the dominant perspective in the study of deviance in the 1960s, though its origins can be traced to durkheim.
From time to time ill add to whats here, as well as provide news on topics of interest to people who know me or are interested in what im up to. The first section provides an explication of becker s statement within the broader context of. Howard becker 1963 expanded upon tannenbaums sug gestion that the process of tagging and defining was crucial to the understanding of deviance. Rather, its advocates have taken a common viewpoint in analyzing criminal behavior. These labels are given to us by higher members of society, for example teachers may label a child as naughty.
It focuses on the linguistic tendency of majorities to. Labelling theory social class, poverty and attainment. Dec 15, 2019 this paper will explain in detail howard beckers labelling theory and its view of crime and criminality. Labelling theory underpins the role of society in defining behaviour. 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. Becker is popular for criticizing other theories of deviance for accepting the existence of deviance and by doing so.
American sociologist george herbert meads theory framing social construction of the self as a process involving interactions with others also influenced its development. The labeling approach cannot be regarded as constitu ting a wellintegrated theory. Howard saul becker s book outsiders was extremely influential in the development of this theory and its rise to popularity. My goal is to examine the grounds on which labelling theory calls itself critical. Howard beckers labelling theory 1982 words essay example.
Howard becker 1971 carried out an important interactionist study of labelling. Labelling theory howard becker developed labelling theory which is key within symbolic interactionism. The first section provides an explication of beckers statement within the broader context of. The labeling theory has been critiqued at a very critical level. This theory was given by howard becker who tried to understand, not in the causes behind the deviant behavior but rather which behavior was considered deviant and. Deviant behaviour is behaviour that people so label. Social rules define situations and the kinds of behavior appropriate to them, specifying some actions as right. In other words, becker argues, many different facets of deviant behavior are relative. 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. Becker, that is have created this page primarily to make things ive written and published in obscure places available to anyone who wants them. Becker also wrote extensively on sociological writing styles and methodologies. Originating in sociology and criminology, labeling theory also known as social reaction theory was developed by sociologist howard becker. Introduction all social groups make rules and attempt, at some times and under some circumstances, to enforce them. Studies in the sociology of deviance 1963, views deviance as the creation of social groups and not the quality of some act or behavior.
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. In sociology, labeling theory is the view of deviance according to which being labeled as a deviant leads a person to engage in deviant behavior. Acts and individuals are not inherently deviant until some social groups can successfully define them that way. 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. It is the interactional elements in explaining crime that had previously been ignored or minimised labelling theory was an attempt to highlight the fact that crime cannot be explained without. The sixties were a time of considerable disturbance in the united states, and the labeling perspective challenged main stream criminology and paralleled the attack on predominant social. Among the bestknown names in the field are becker, lemert, scheff and goffman. Mar 22, 2019 becker served as president of the society for the study of social problems from 196566, and is a lifelong jazz pianist. 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. Thomas, charles horton cooley, and herbert blumer, among others. Lemert is considered to have been the first to really introduce the ideal and becker is the one who.
Beckers insistence that sociologists should interpret and confer meaning to. According to becker, deviance is not an intrinsic feature of behavior. The labelling theory suggests that most people commit deviant and criminal acts but only come are caught and stigmatised for it. Becker s 1963 book outsiders provided the foundations for labeling theory. Dec 11, 2009 originating in sociology and criminology, labeling theory also known as social reaction theory was developed by sociologist howard becker. Erwin lemert is credited with being the founder of what is called the societal reaction theory. Howard becker 1971 carried out an important interactionist. Howard becker and edwin lemert have carried out studies of two different deviant types of careers. The idea of labeling theory flourished in american sociology during the 1960s, thanks in large part to sociologist howard becker.
Labeling theory highlights social responses to crime american sociologists howard s. 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. For instance there is the labeling theory that corresponds to homosexuality. The first as well as one of the most prominent labeling theorists was howard becker, who published his groundbreaking work outsiders in 1963. Howard becker s approach to the labeling of deviance, as described in outsiders. There are a number of fundamental issues that the labelling theory attempts to explain. Pdf labeling theory emerged as the dominant perspective in the study of deviance in the 1960s, though its origins can be traced to durkheim. In art worlds 1982, a book that greatly influenced the sociology of art. 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. However, its core ideas can be traced back to the work of founding french sociologist emile durkheim. Becker also claims that rule breakers may perceive a person who enforces the rule as an outsider.
Obyrne 2011 suggests labelling is the process by which others usually those in more powerful positions come to impose an identity upon us. Labeled persons may include drug addicts, alcoholics, criminals, delinquents, prostitutes, sex offenders, and psychiatric patients, to mention a few. Howard becker, drug use and the sociology of deviance. Jul 25, 2019 labeling theory is a theory to understand deviance in the society, this theory is focused more on trying to understand how people react to behavior that happens around them and label it as deviant or nondeviant. Labeling theory, influenced by symbolic interactionism, dramatically transformed the field by redefining what constituted deviance and what was significant to understand about deviance.
Sociologist howard becker is credited with the most influential formulation of labeling theory, which appears in his book outsiders 1973. Becker served as president of the society for the study of social problems from 196566, and is a lifelong jazz pianist. Labeling theory is a theory to understand deviance in the society, this theory is focused more on trying to understand how people react to behavior that happens around them and label it as deviant or nondeviant. Labeling theory holds that deviance is not a quality of the act because it is the result of personality factors associated with committing deviance. Within schools, howard becker 1970 argued that middle class teachers have an idea of an ideal pupil that is middle class. Labelling is theory that was developed by howard becker and was the concept that everyone has a label. The first as well as one of the most prominent labeling theorists was howard becker, who published his groundbreaking work. 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. 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. Howard becker 1928 labelling is the process by which others usually those in powerful positions come to impose an identity upon us obyrne, 2011.
The theory assumes that although deviant behavior can initially stem from various causes and conditions, once individuals have been labeled or defined as deviants. Participant observation is beckers research method of choice. For example, in the works of a leading labelling theorist, howard becker, and within the limits of a single text of his, called outsiders, and even within a single. Howard becker illustrates how crime is the product of social interactions by using the example of a fight between young people. Pdf labeling theory provides a distinctively sociological approach that focuses. Labelling perspective is regarded as one of the main theories developed by the interactionists, with howard becker being instrumental in its formation giddens and sutton, 20. It represented a major turning point in the sociology of deviance. Scientists do not ordinarily question the label deviant. Therefore, the child will act up to this label they have been given and will behave inappropriately. 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. Labelling theory as those scholars elaborated it was sociology of the underdog. Feb 12, 2016 in sociology, labeling theory is the view of deviance according to which being labeled as a deviant leads a person to engage in deviant behavior.
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. This theory was given by howard becker who tried to understand, not in the causes behind the deviant behavior but rather. Pdf labelling theory societal reaction theory trixie sharpe. Howard becker theory of labelling social class and attainment. Although underscoring the salience of formal labeling, the. Beckers outsiders is a thorough exploration of social deviance and how it can be addressed in an understanding and helpful manner. He lists various conditions which must be fulfilled if such use is to arise. Labeling theory was developed by sociologists during the 1960s. Howard becker theory of labelling social class and. As such, behaviours become deviant when those that are conforming to the norms attach labels to those that are not conforming. Labeling theory, sometimes called the societal reaction perspec tive, was lauded as a new perspective in criminology in the 1960s hagan, 1987. Outsiders him as either competent or legitimately entitled to do so. In what follows, i will try to clarify the situation and process pointed to by this doublebarrelledterm.
Becker has consistently declined to be labeled in any other way but as a sociologist, he has made numerous statements that evidence his methodological and epistemological proximity to symbolic interactionism. Labelling theory is a result of the work of howard becker. Labeling theory provides a distinctively sociological approach that focuses on the role of social labeling in the development of crime and deviance. 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. Mental illness and labeling theory markowitz major. 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. Actually the labelling theory was built on becker, 1963. Beckers insistence that sociologists should interpret and confer meaning to situations, accords. Becker is popular for criticizing other theories of deviance for accepting the existence of deviance and by doing so, accept. In a lowincome neighbourhood, a fight is more likely to be defined by the police as evidence of delinquency, but in a wealthy area as evidence of high spirits. Becker, labeling theory reconsidered in the outsiders 2d ed. Becker 1973 argues that labelling theory was not intended to explain why people commit crimes, but the focus of it is on the interactional elements.
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