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. Labeling theory was created by Howard Becker in 1963. 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). Inherent in labelling theory is the notion that deviance depends much upon who, what and how an act or individual is defined as deviant. You have reached your limit for … It is applied to education in relation to teachers applying labels on their pupils in terms of their ability, potential or behaviour. 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. Meaning acts only become deviant when observers perceive it and define it as deviant. 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. Labeling theory is one of the most important approaches to understanding deviant and criminal behavior within sociology. Labeling theory refers to the idea that individuals become deviant when a deviant label is applied to them; they adopt the label by exhibiting the behaviors, actions, and attitudes associated with the label. Currently the Social Reaction Theory proposes that when a person commits a crime; they will receive the label of "criminal". 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). The fourth main sociological theory of deviance is labeling theory. These labels can be positive or negative and can result in a self-fulfilling prophecy. The labelling theory was developed and popularised by American sociologist Howard S. Becker in his 1963 book Outsiders. Definition of Labeling Theory. Labelling theory was developed by Howard Becker and is most associated with the sociology of deviance. Labeling theory was also applied to homosexuality by Evelyn Hooker and by Leznoff and Westley, who published the first sociological study of the gay community. 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