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 and ohlin. Dec 11, 2009 originating in sociology and criminology, labeling theory also known as social reaction theory was developed by sociologist howard becker. In sum, he explains that the government and highpower individuals create crime and criminals. Beckers 1963 book outsiders is credited as one of the first books on labeling theory and its application to studies of deviance. A compulsively readable and thoroughly researched exploration of social deviance and the application of what is known as labeling theory to the. In art worlds 1982, a book that greatly influenced the sociology of art. Labeling theory project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Jun 30, 2008 one of the most groundbreaking sociology texts of the mid20th century, howard s. Labelling theory sociology bibliographies in harvard style.
For becker, labeling a certain activity as deviant has two different functions. Becker also wrote extensively on sociological writing styles and methodologies. The first as well as one of the most prominent labeling theorists was howard becker, who published his. Howard becker s outsiders broke new ground in the early 1960s, arguing that social deviance is a more common phenomenon that perceived and that conventional wisdom that social deviants are pathological is incorrect. In other words, becker argues, many different facets of deviant behavior are relative. 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. A compilation of early essays on the subject, outsiders. This research fed into his widely read and cited book outsiders, which is considered one of the first texts to develop labeling theory, which postulates that people adopt deviant behavior that breaks social norms after they have been labeled deviant by others, by social institutions, and by the criminal justice system. Howard becker 1928 labelling is the process by which others usually those in powerful positions come to impose an identity upon us obyrne, 2011.
Howard saul beckers book outsiders was extremely influential in the development of this theory and its rise to popularity. 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. Labeling theory emerged as the dominant perspective in the study of deviance in the 1960s, though its origins can be traced to. Theory with a wide horizon by alain pessin alain pessin, who unfortunately, for sociology died in 2006, wrote this book about my approach to sociology which has now been translated from the original french for anglophone readers. These are the sources and citations used to research labelling theory. Evolution of the labeling theory howard becker developed his theory of labeling in the 1963 book outsiders. 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.
Labeling theory, also known as social reaction theory, was developed by howard becker in 1963. 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. There are a number of fundamental issues that the labelling theory attempts to explain labeling theory provides a distinctively sociological approach that focuses on the role of social labeling in the development of crime and deviance. Becker first published 1963 sort by title original date published date published avg rating num ratings format format paperback hardcover mass market paperback kindle edition nook ebook library binding audiobook audio cd audio cassette audible audio cdrom mp3 cd board book leather bound unbound spiralbound unknown binding. This essay looks first at labelling theory and then moves on to examine the theory more critically and assess its reach in explaining crime and deviance. Howard becker 1963 is held to be the architect of the modern labelling theory. Sociologist howard becker is credited with the most influential formulation of labeling theory, which appears in his book outsiders 1973. Labeling theory holds that deviance is not a quality of the act because it is the result of personality factors associated with committing deviance.
John braithwaites theory of reintegrative shaming and lawrence shermans defiance theory. 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. Thomas, charles horton cooley, and herbert blumer, among others. The first section provides an explication of becker s statement within the broader context of. This theory was developed by howard sual becker during the 1960s in his book titled. 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. The first section provides an explication of beckers statement within the broader context of. Lemert, edwin m primary and secondary deviance however, lemerts concepts experienced a rejuvenation in the 1990s as more empirically sound theoretical frameworks based upon labeling theory emerged. 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. Although becker does not claim to be a deviancy specialist, his work on the subject it often cited by sociologist and criminologist studying deviance. The earliest statements of labeling theory were made in the 1930s by frank tannenbaum 1938 and lemert 1951. Becker suggested that secondary deviance should not be the main focus of labeling researchers. Of all his many writings, outsiders, which was written in 1963, is one of his most imperative and prominent works, regarded as critical classical study within the discipline of sociology and deviance. 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.
For instance there is the labeling theory that corresponds to homosexuality. Labeling theory is the theory of how the selfidentity and behavior of individuals may. Howard becker s approach to the labeling of deviance, as described in outsiders. Becker is often called a symbolic interactionist or. 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.
Becker s seminal study remains the most piercing exploration about unconventional individuals and their position in normal society. According to becker, deviance is not an intrinsic feature of behavior. Becker s outsiders is a thorough exploration of social deviance and how it can be addressed in an understanding and helpful manner. Oct 17, 2019 this is a theory that becker created in 1963. 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 art worlds 1982, a book that greatly influenced. The idea of labeling theory flourished in american sociology during the 1960s, thanks in large part to sociologist howard becker. Becker, born april 18th 1928, is a well known renowned american sociologist. 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 provides a distinctively sociological approach that focuses on the role of social labeling in the development of crime and deviance. Other criminologists have been doubtful of this part of the theory and hold that a persons race, social class and so. Becker 1973 clearly lays out labelling theory in his book outsiders. 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.
Beckers outsiders is a thorough exploration of social deviance and how it can be addressed in an understanding and helpful manner. Beckers book outsiders 1963 that this perspective was brought prominent attention. Becker is popular for criticizing other theories of deviance for accepting the existence of deviance and by. Beckers theory evolved during a period of social and political power struggle that was amplified within the world of the college campus pfohl 1994. The theory assumes that although deviant behavior can initially stem from various causes and conditions, once individuals have been labeled or defined as deviants. Howard becker, drug use and the sociology of deviance.
Labeling theory was developed by sociologists during the 1960s. 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. 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. It represented a major turning point in the sociology of deviance. Labelling theory becker 1963, sample of term papers. 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. Becker is popular for criticizing other theories of deviance for accepting the existence of deviance and by doing so, accept. I found the marijuana case more interesting since it connected very local things learning how to interpret bodily reactions maybe due to marijuana and multinational politics push to forbid the drug based on casting users as slaves to the.
Howard becker contribution to criminological knowledge. A nice introduction to labeling theory based on two case studies on marijuana use and on musicians. Before him, frank tennenbaum 1938, edwin lemert 1951, john kitsuse 1962 and k. A compilation of early essays on the subject, outsiders outlines beckers theories of deviance through two deviant groups. Howard becker theory of labelling social class and. Another major unfavorable judgment of labeling theory is its failure to explicate primary aberrance a. 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. 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. Labeling theory labeling theory, which is also known as social reaction theory, explains how criminal careers are based on destructive social interactions and encounters. 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. The definition of labeling theory presented in his book became the generally accepted one. An overview of howard beckers labeling theory of 1963 kibin.
Howard becker developed his theory of labeling also known as social reaction theory in the 1963 book outsiders. Beckers theory evolved during a period of social and political power struggle that was amplified within the world of. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most definitive collection ever assembled. Acts and individuals are not inherently deviant until some social groups can successfully define them that way. Becker stressed the need for a dynamic approach to the studying of labeling theory rather than a simple cause and effect one. This assertion is an example of which main though of labeling theory. 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. Labeling theory and symbolic interaction theory criminology. Studies in the sociology of deviance 1963, views deviance as the creation of social groups and not the quality of some act or behavior. One of the most groundbreaking sociology texts of the mid20th century, howard s. Mar 22, 2019 this research fed into his widely read and cited book outsiders, which is considered one of the first texts to develop labeling theory, which postulates that people adopt deviant behavior that breaks social norms after they have been labeled deviant by others, by social institutions, and by the criminal justice system.
Becker 1963 later argued that he never thought he had set down the basis for a formal theory in his book, outsiders. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Becker 1963 acknowledges that his labeling theory is a theoretical attack, non a true theory, and that sociologists should try to set up empirical trials for his attack. Labelling theory sociology bibliographies cite this for me.
Becker explored the theory in which deviance is simply a social construction used to persuade the public to fear and criminalized certain groups. With particular research into drug culture, outsiders analyzes unconventional individuals and their place in normal society. This 1963 piece established an early foundation for what has become known as the interactionist theory of deviant behavior. Outsiders kindle edition by becker, howard s health. Deviant behaviour is behaviour that people so label. Beckers 1963 book outsiders provided the foundations for labeling theory. Studies in sociology of deviance new ed by becker, howard s. Becker 1963 explains in his book outsiders that there is nothing inherently wrong with the act of a crime itself. Originating in sociology and criminology, labeling theory also known as social reaction theory was developed by sociologist howard becker.
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