Labelling Theory and Deviance
Labelling and deviance in the media
Tabloid papers are renowned to label anyone with what one sees as a deviant label. Newspapers, magazines and even news reporters are either vocally or publishing such labels to a person or group who they have decided is of a deviant nature or differs in some way from what they deem as normal. Examples of such labels will follow later on in this report of how the media label people who they deem deviant or in fact just differ from the norm, and in turn, our society who either accept this label or even attach another. This report will aim to show who attaches the label and what the label means in terms of the person carrying the label and how labels can be negative and therefore damaging. This report will indeed include historical influences, however a more modern day approach and way of thinking will also be applied to bring labelling into the 21st century and understand where the labelling process and the deviant to which it is presented to now sit in our society.
Howard Becker has been seen to be one of the pioneers of the ‘labelling theory’, his book, ‘Outsiders’, holds a quote which is now widely used across the academic spectrum when studying labelling and deviance, “…. social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance and by applying those rules to particular people and labelling them as outsiders. From this point of view, deviance is not a quality of the act the person commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an “offender.” The deviant is one to whom that label has successfully been applied. Deviant behavior is behavior that people so label.” (Becker 1963:8–9). This quote is used timelessly even in today’s modern world, as others try and prove if this is in fact true. If we so label a person do they become that label? This report will neither prove nor disprove this theory, however, it will try to evidence is there is any truth in it.
Tabloid papers are renowned to label anyone with what one sees as a deviant label. Newspapers, magazines and even news reporters are either vocally or publishing such labels to a person or group who they have decided is of a deviant nature or differs in some way from what they deem as normal. Examples of such labels will follow later on in this report of how the media label people who they deem deviant or in fact just differ from the norm, and in turn, our society who either accept this label or even attach another. This report will aim to show who attaches the label and what the label means in terms of the person carrying the label and how labels can be negative and therefore damaging. This report will indeed include historical influences, however a more modern day approach and way of thinking will also be applied to bring labelling into the 21st century and understand where the labelling process and the deviant to which it is presented to now sit in our society.
Howard Becker has been seen to be one of the pioneers of the ‘labelling theory’, his book, ‘Outsiders’, holds a quote which is now widely used across the academic spectrum when studying labelling and deviance, “…. social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance and by applying those rules to particular people and labelling them as outsiders. From this point of view, deviance is not a quality of the act the person commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an “offender.” The deviant is one to whom that label has successfully been applied. Deviant behavior is behavior that people so label.” (Becker 1963:8–9). This quote is used timelessly even in today’s modern world, as others try and prove if this is in fact true. If we so label a person do they become that label? This report will neither prove nor disprove this theory, however, it will try to evidence is there is any truth in it.
References: Becker, H. (1973) Outsiders: Studies in the sociology of deviance. New York: Free press Hirschfield, P Brownfield, D., and Thompson, K. (2008) Correlates of Delinquent Identity: Testing Interactionist, Labeling, and Control Theory. Journal of Criminal justice services. January – June Vol. 3 (1): 44–53 James, E., and MacDougall, I Thornton, L. (2010) Boy from hell jailed for rape at 23[online] The Mirror. Available from: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/10/27/boy-from-hell-jailed-for-rape-at-23-115875-22661195/. (Assessed: 2nd and 3rd November 2010) Brooke, C Taylor, I (et al) (1973) The new criminology: For a social theory of deviance. London: Routledge Wolfgang, M Muncie, J., and McLaughlin, E. (1996) The problem of crime. London: Sage