Empirical Evidence on The Labeling Theory
The labeling theory has been accepted and by most practioners and theorist. It is through the labeling theory that other theorist build a foundation on other developing theories. The labeling theory has been critiqued at a very critical level. "The earliest critiques of labeling objected to the theory's 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. (Akers & Seller. 2009. Pg. 156). According to Becker and his theory, the label is what causes such deviant behavior. People are labeled and therefore they must live up to this title. Others have strongly disagreed with Becker.
The label does not create the behavior. The behavior it what creates the label. "People commit acts that violate the law or social norms for reasons that have nothing to do with labels that others apply to them" (Akers & Sellers. 2009. Pg. 156). Labeling theory overlooks the intial behavior of the individual after the label is bestowed. There are numerous that act as an influence for this behavior. The focus is on the label and not the person. It is easy to label an individual anything, but if the behavior does not match the label, then the person was mis-labeled. Labels are applied incorrectly often. "The labeling process is not arbitrary and unrelated to the behavior of those detected and labeled. Sometimes, errors are made, labels are falsely applied, and criteria extraneous to the deviant behavior are involved in tagging persons with labels" (Akers & Sellers. 2009. Pg. 157).
Labeling theory has been criticized for numerous shortcomings. Why? It has very little validity. When the theory was first explored back in the 1930's, most people thought that it made perfect sense. People become what they are labeled. In fact, Howard Becker wrote in his book, The Outsiders that primary and secondary deviance are what cause this to happen. "This self-concept, in turn, increases the likelihood that the labeled person will commit additional deviant acts and develop a stabilized career of secondary deviance. Conversely, if the detection and labeling can be avoided, then the deviant is not likely to develop a stabilzed or serious criminal career. There are few findings from research on the official processing of offenders that fit this model" (Akers & Sellers. 2009. Pg 157).
Findings on the labeling theory serving as the reason juveniles or adults commit crimes is very weak. This theory does not hold enough validity. The assumption that labels define who individuals are, is incorrect. It is very easy to apply a label and watch as someone fails to live up to the title. In this case, society does not dictate who people are. Society may deem a certain label to be distasteful, but it is up to the bahavior of the individual.
The label does not create the behavior. The behavior it what creates the label. "People commit acts that violate the law or social norms for reasons that have nothing to do with labels that others apply to them" (Akers & Sellers. 2009. Pg. 156). Labeling theory overlooks the intial behavior of the individual after the label is bestowed. There are numerous that act as an influence for this behavior. The focus is on the label and not the person. It is easy to label an individual anything, but if the behavior does not match the label, then the person was mis-labeled. Labels are applied incorrectly often. "The labeling process is not arbitrary and unrelated to the behavior of those detected and labeled. Sometimes, errors are made, labels are falsely applied, and criteria extraneous to the deviant behavior are involved in tagging persons with labels" (Akers & Sellers. 2009. Pg. 157).
Labeling theory has been criticized for numerous shortcomings. Why? It has very little validity. When the theory was first explored back in the 1930's, most people thought that it made perfect sense. People become what they are labeled. In fact, Howard Becker wrote in his book, The Outsiders that primary and secondary deviance are what cause this to happen. "This self-concept, in turn, increases the likelihood that the labeled person will commit additional deviant acts and develop a stabilized career of secondary deviance. Conversely, if the detection and labeling can be avoided, then the deviant is not likely to develop a stabilzed or serious criminal career. There are few findings from research on the official processing of offenders that fit this model" (Akers & Sellers. 2009. Pg 157).
Findings on the labeling theory serving as the reason juveniles or adults commit crimes is very weak. This theory does not hold enough validity. The assumption that labels define who individuals are, is incorrect. It is very easy to apply a label and watch as someone fails to live up to the title. In this case, society does not dictate who people are. Society may deem a certain label to be distasteful, but it is up to the bahavior of the individual.