Labeling Theory

1. People's behaviors are shaped by social labels. A person will become a criminal when society labels that person as a "criminal". Labeling theory also considers why society is more likely to label certain persons as criminal and not others.

2. Much of labeling theory comes from the general sociological perspective known as symbolic interaction theory. This theory states that reality is to a large degree defined by shared social symbols. When enough people agree that a certain idea is true then it "becomes" true and is understood as real. If one person commits a crime and is defined a criminal then society may react to that person as a criminal. This will in turn require him to act as a criminal. O the other hand if another person commits the same crime and society defines the behavior as a "mistake". The is not seen as a criminal and as such is not required to be a criminal in return.

3. Labeling theory relies on the ideas of primary and secondary deviance.
   • Primary deviance is when someone commits a crime.
   • Secondary deviance is when someone is labeled a criminal and so acts in chracter with the label.
   • According to secondary deviance the more someone is defined as a criminal the more likley they will commit a crime.

4. If labeling theory is correct then the way to lower the crime rate is found in changing how society interacts with criminals to avoid labels.