The process of labelling (10):
The primary focus of Becker’s study was to explain how a
person is labelled as an outsider.
Deviant behaviour, according to Becker, is a social product
created by society.
Whether a juvenile is therefore labelled as deviant will
depend on the reaction of other people to the act, and not
on the nature of the activity itself.
Becker describes this process whereby a person acquires
the label of deviance in a series of phases which culminate
in the deviant behaviour achieving master status, a status
which then becomes the most significant, both for the
labelled person and for others.
First phase:
A person carries out a deviant action (even if not
consciously). The offender may have no idea that others
will regard the action as deviant.
Second phase:
The person is caught, which puts him or her in a
different light and others then attach a new status or
label to the person.
It is assumed that the person will continue with similar
behaviour, simply because people expect offenders to
commit other crimes as well.
The stigma (negative label) thus becomes generalised.
Third phase:
The deviant behaviour reaches master status.
Regardless of other good qualities, the person is
labelled as deviant and this carries the greater weight
in the minds of others.
This leads to the self-fulfilling prophecy: as a result of
labelling, the person is forced to break ties with
conventional (law-abiding) groups and to turn to illegal
activities in order to make a living.
Deviant behaviour is, therefore, the result of other
people’s reactions.
Final phase:
The person joins an organised deviant group where
each member learns to rationalise deviant (criminal)
activities.
The primary focus of Becker’s study was to explain how a
person is labelled as an outsider.
Deviant behaviour, according to Becker, is a social product
created by society.
Whether a juvenile is therefore labelled as deviant will
depend on the reaction of other people to the act, and not
on the nature of the activity itself.
Becker describes this process whereby a person acquires
the label of deviance in a series of phases which culminate
in the deviant behaviour achieving master status, a status
which then becomes the most significant, both for the
labelled person and for others.
First phase:
A person carries out a deviant action (even if not
consciously). The offender may have no idea that others
will regard the action as deviant.
Second phase:
The person is caught, which puts him or her in a
different light and others then attach a new status or
label to the person.
It is assumed that the person will continue with similar
behaviour, simply because people expect offenders to
commit other crimes as well.
The stigma (negative label) thus becomes generalised.
Third phase:
The deviant behaviour reaches master status.
Regardless of other good qualities, the person is
labelled as deviant and this carries the greater weight
in the minds of others.
This leads to the self-fulfilling prophecy: as a result of
labelling, the person is forced to break ties with
conventional (law-abiding) groups and to turn to illegal
activities in order to make a living.
Deviant behaviour is, therefore, the result of other
people’s reactions.
Final phase:
The person joins an organised deviant group where
each member learns to rationalise deviant (criminal)
activities.
