Labelling theory was developed by Howard Becker and is most associated with the sociology of deviance. You have reached your limit for … 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 . Social Reaction (Labeling) Theory: Pros, Cons, and Effects On Society The Social Reaction, or Labeling Theory as it is sometimes known, has developed over time from as early as 1938 (Wellford, 1975). Currently the Social Reaction Theory proposes that when a person commits a crime; they will receive the label of "criminal". Once labelled as deviant, the individual faces all sorts of social reactions ranging from ostracism and ridicule to pity or anger. Labeling Theory The labeling theory of sociology holds that deviance is not defined by the act itself, but by “the tendency of society to negatively label individuals who choose to step outside of cultural norms” (Becker). Labelling Theories' Contribution to the Sociological Understanding of Crime and Deviance Becker is the main sociologist studying labelling theory on deviance, he argues that 'social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance.' Labeling theory provides a distinctively sociological approach that focuses on the role of social labeling in the development of crime and deviance. Meaning acts only become deviant when observers perceive it and define it as deviant. Instead, definitions of criminality are established by those in power through the formulation of laws and the interpretation of those laws by police, courts, and correctional institutions. It begins with the assumption that no act is intrinsically criminal. The labelling theory was developed and popularised by American sociologist Howard S. Becker in his 1963 book Outsiders. Labeling theory was created by Howard Becker in 1963. Labeling theory is a sociological theory that deals with various aspects of human behavior, especially with regard to how a person’s behavior is viewed by others and compared to social norms. Inherent in labelling theory is the notion that deviance depends much upon who, what and how an act or individual is defined as deviant. Erving Goffman and Howard Becker used the lives of gay-identified persons in their theories of labeling and interactionism. Labeling theory is one of the most important approaches to understanding deviant and criminal behavior within sociology. Definition of Labeling Theory. Labelling theory sees deviance as … Labeling Theory. 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