Labeling Is the Primary Source of Deviance - Case Study Example

Running Head: LABELING IS THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF DEVIANCE Labeling is the Primary Source of Deviance Deviance is an action that does not conform to the norms of a particular group or society which can be treated as a problem due to the effects inculcated to a particular individual or to the social stability. The study was aimed to focus on the discussion and definition of one of the perceived primary causes of deviance which is labeling. Labeling causes deviance on the basis of two points. One is that labeling confirms the act of deviance in the society. Another is the self-fulfilling capability of labeling to mark a person as a deviant which can confirm such status through constant act of deviance. Labeling is the Primary Source of Deviance Deviance is defined as the action that strays from the norms and the rules of the society specifically set by social groups and certain individuals. Such actions can affect specific members of the society, thus it is considered as a social problem and resolved through social and legal actions. By studying the cases of deviance, a better understanding of a particular society can be achieved (Unit A Introduction, p.1). The paper is aimed to present and discuss deviance and one of the primary sources which is labeling. It is important to determine and to understand the causes of deviance to be able to resolve the effects of the concept in the society. Background of the Study In the field of sociology, there is an assumption that the society is “healthy, harmonious, stable and good” and deviance is any action that diverts and changes the balance (Unit A Introduction, p.2). For that matter, there is a need to determine the reasons and the causes of such actions. One way to look at deviance is through political and organizational policies. The leaders can be considered to have the authority for social control while the groups contradicting are composed of the deviants doing anti-social actions (p.3). Labeling is classified under the main causes of deviance. A better understanding of the cause of deviance is important to be able to understand the root of such actions and the possible ways to resolve them. There are different theories established to grasp the issues related to deviance. One of the said theories covers the relationship of labeling in the society to the onset and expression of deviant behaviors. Labeling Labeling, which is also referred to as interactionism, is a theory that defines deviance as any behavior against the set rules. This can be considered as a primary cause of deviance since the society reinforces or strengthens the group or the person’s role as a deviant by pointing out and identifying the person or group through the deviant behavior (Unit A Introduction, p.8). The labeling theory is also called social reaction theory or social construction theory on the basis of the role of the society in defining a deviant or an act of deviance (P.16). For that matter, the study of deviance leads to the rules, laws and even norms impose in the society and in the social context. According to Becker (1973), social groups establish rules to be able to achieve order. This state of order is the main view of a society based on the field of sociology. Rules through cannot completely define a society since it is a very complicated assimilation of groups and individuals of different beliefs. For that matter, there are groups or individuals who incur infractions to the set rules, who are differentiated to the rest of the society by labeling them as deviants or outsiders (Becker, 1973, Reading A5). In such cases, the ideas and concepts of deviance and labeling were born. Evidences of the Role of Labeling in Deviance The paper is aimed to state that labeling is the primary source of deviance. Based on the data presented in the references, there are two evidences that can support the said statement. One is the fact that labeling is the main confirmation of an act of deviance in the society. Another is the self-fulfilling capability of labeling to mark a person as a deviant and outsider in the society which can lead to confirming such status through constant act of deviance. 1. Labeling Confirms Deviance The first premise states that labeling confirms the status of a person as a deviant. One is through the infraction that can be related to the act done or just by being a person that does not conform to the expectations of the society. The issue on deviance is not a clear cut concept since the society is a highly complicated backdrop for an issue which tackles not only behavior but the social, political and cultural aspects (Becker, 1973, Reading A5). The concept of deviance is a concept used for social control. Enforcing a rule in the society serves a basis for defining good or bad. Since the rules established were assumed to be good, the deviations from such rules were considered bad. Labeling is the manner of distinguishing those who follow the rules from those who deviates from the rules. For that matter, labeling is the onset of deviance. It is important to consider though that being labeled deviant does not necessarily mean that they committed some form of act against the rules. This is where the definition of deviance becomes complicated (Becker, 1973, Reading A5). According to the reading, deviance is based on the perception and the response of other people in the society on the basis of the rules set and enforced by the ruling class. For that matter, it does not limit deviance to the actions done. For example, drug addicts may be labeled on the act of substance abuse. But labeling extends more than the act of abusing drugs which means that deviants on the basis of drugs are labeled as people with the tendency to commit crimes, thus, they are considered as outsiders in the society. The second scenario on the other hand is related to stereotypes set by the society. Stereotypical judgment on a person by being in any form of lower class on the basis of sexuality (e.g. homosexual), color (e.g. Negro), gender (e.g. woman), religion or ethnicity can also increase the risk for deviant labeling (Becker, 1973, Reading A5). The presented scenarios and can be considered as some of the reasons that establish labeling as a course of deviance by confirming the deviant action publicly and subjecting the person to the prejudice of other people in the society. Becker expressed the notions regarding the deviance. Being labeled as a deviant should not give people reasons to judge a person because: 1) labeled deviants did not necessarily commit any infraction, or broken any rule; 2) labeled deviants are just the number of people who might have broken the rule and known publicly. Thus, labeling can be considered as a negative social force being criticized for creating and increasing deviance in the society (Becker, 1973, Reading A5). 2. Labeling Can Lead to Constant Act of Deviance The negative effects of labeling can be explained by the second precept of deviance which is related to the aftermath of labeling. According to Becker, labeling generalizes the deviant behavior. In any concepts, generalizing can be considered dangerous because hinders any form of flexibility. For example, once labeled a deviant in the society, people are left with very little chance of redeeming themselves. This is the reason why labeling is considered to lead the person to constant act of deviance (Becker, 1973, Reading A6). After being labeled as a deviant, there is little chance to change due to the subsequent scenarios that can prevent the person from changing. This is referred to as “self-fulfilling prophecy” on deviance which can be defined as the stereotypical perception of the society based on certain forms of social stratification which in most cases can lead to the fulfillment of the deviance. Thus, labeling can become the onset and the bounding reason for the deviance of a person (Becker, 1973, Reading A6). Becker also presented the different reasons why leading can lead to a constant act of deviance. One reason is related to the onset of deviance which can affect people who had been labeled regardless of doing or not doing any deviant action. These people become outsiders in the society, thus, finding decent jobs or interpersonal relationships can be considered difficult. By being an outsider, there is a generalized notion of being a bad person and rules not intended to be broken will be broken until the point when deviance ultimately defines a person. This can be attributed to the fact that due to labeling, the people still see a deviant as an outsider regardless of changing or not doing any infraction against the rules of the society (Becker, 1973, Reading A6). Labeling can also lead to the formation of organized groups of deviants. This can be attributed to the lack of chances to build interpersonal relationships with other members of the society. The deviants then can find themselves attracted to other people labeled as deviants due to the similarity in fate and problems being faced. When such level of deviance is achieved, it is more difficult to prevent a constant act of deviance due to the effects of being in an organized deviant group (Becker, 1973, Reading A6). One consequence of being in a deviant group is the development of the belief that they are doing the normal or rational actions. This is referred to as self-justifying rationale which is based established perspective of the group supported by legal, historical and psychological aspects. The said ideology can lead the person to continue deviant activity since he or she already achieved a higher level of deviance considered to be more principled. Another consequence of a deviant group is being able to learn methods to cope with the problems associated with being a deviant. In addition, the individuals can learn ways to undertake deviant activity with more ease due to the knowledge shared by old members of the group (Becker, 1973, Reading A6). These consequences of being in a deviant group can increase the difficulty of changing the deviant’s way of life due to the sense of belonging and social interactions and relationships can be found in such groups. Criticisms on Labeling The main thesis of the paper is based on the role of labeling as the source of deviance. Confirming the said role leads to reinforcing the negative effects of labeling in the society which is related to the criticisms targeting the labeling or interactionist theory. Based on the discussion by Becker, deviance is a concept related to social control but the labeling theory, although it might appear to be anti-Establishment, only affects the low-level members of the organization. This organization can be equated to the society with the higher and the lower classes. The higher and unaffected level is composed of the ‘superordinate groups’ that appear in different groups such as the ruling class over the lower class, the elites over the common people, the adults over the children or the young people, the men over the women, etc. (Becker, 1973, Reading A7). Through the said scenarios, labeling can be considered as a problematic issue in the society. To be able to resolve the issues related to deviance, it is then important to target the hierarchy that promotes and establish labels, definitions and social stratification. With the said view, the study of deviance, then, can be considered to tap the complicated issues and dynamics in the social context. Basically the society and the different aspects of the society such as politics, culture and economics serves as the arena for the development of deviance. One the rules set by the ruling class is set and the people are labeled, other factors in the complicated social arena come into play. Discussion of the Issue Based on the concepts presented and the evidences perceived, deviance is the result of the reaction and judgment of the people on the basis of rules set by the dominant groups in the society. Labeling is the main source of deviance based on the point that it triggers the onset of recognition of a deviant person. Through labeling, the individual becomes an outsider who cannot participate in any activities in the society. This can ultimately lead to the feeling of being an outsider. The individual is then enticed to join deviant groups which can cause confirmation of deviance and can lead to more acts of deviance in a more constant manner. Based on the said scenario, the leaders of the society who established the rules as a form of social control can ultimately be considered as the creator of deviance. This is the main reason Becker pointed out that resolving the issue of deviance can only mean targeting the hierarchy of the society (Becker, 1973, Reading A7). In doing so, the rules that trigger labeling and definitions can be improved. In the establishment of the society, definitions and labels can be considered essential but there is a need to gauge the effects of social rules and norms when negative effects can be perceived. Conclusion Labeling is a problematic result of the unrefined enforcement of social rules. Due to the lack of clear cut definitions, it becomes one of the main sources of deviance. A need to refine and resolve such problems in policies came up due to the fact that the acts of deviance lack clear definitions. Individuals are labeled as deviants without defined evidence of committing any acts of deviance. The fact that even stereotypes and stratifications are becoming basis of deviance is the main source of the vicious cycle. Without resolving the flaw in the social rules, then, the objective of preventing deviance through social control can instead escalate more acts of deviance. References Becker, H. (1973). Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology Deviance (Reading A5, p.8-18). New York: Free Press. Becker, H. (1973). Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology Deviance (Reading A6, p.31-39). New York: Free Press. Becker, H. (1973). Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology Deviance (Reading A7, p.204-206). New York: Free Press. Unit A Introduction. 2062 Hum Reading on International Change and Social World II. Read More