Social Labeling Theory

Words: 1417
Pages: 6

Social Reaction Theory also known as labeling theory, is an ideology that is used to explain the cause of delinquency. It states that people become, as well as act out on, what society and the people around them have labeled them to be. Youths are effected with the Social Reaction Theory by the virtue of being branded by their parents, educators, and the people that have authority over them, which leads them to believe that they are delinquents and therefore carry out diligent acts. This labeling theory was made popular in the 1960s. One of the people that had a lot to do with it was Howard S. Becker. He claimed in his book Outsiders that “…deviant behavior is behavior that people so label” (Becker 9). Which leads people to believe that is …show more content…
They started figuring out form an early age that is what they are. According to Siegel in the text book “children may find that their parents consider them a bad influence…” on their younger siblings (Siegel 187). The students feel in this such way because their parents might tell them something like they are bad example for the younger members of the family. When it comes to the students being branded by their educators. They might feel out casted by them. Due to the fact that their “school officials may limit them to classes reserved…” for students that do not fit in with the other students that do not have behavioral problems (Siegel 187). Like the subjects that the research was done on. Their school went as far as sending them to a different location. However, when it comes to authority figures. The students feel like this may follow them around for their lifetime. In a study done by Giza Lopes she found that “…kids who get involved with police…” at a young age have “…long term effects of this negative labeling experience well into their 30s” (Siegel 191). Therefore it is well known that these people will have this labeling theory with on what they should be their whole