Evaluate The Labelling Theory

The labelling theory was a hypothesis proposed and developed by sociologists including Howard Becker and Edwin Lemert in the 1960’s. Eventhough Howard Becker became to successor of this theory, is was Edwin Lemert who had proposed the main concepts of labelling. It wasn’t until around 10 years later in the 1970’s that this theory became more prominent and developed. It is a theory of how the determination of an individuals behaviour or self identity, can be influenced greatly by terms used to classify or describe them. This links strongly with the concept of ‘stereotyping’ and ‘stigmas’ . It focuses on a concept that discusses the tendency of majorities in a society, to label minorities due to their own assumptions and perceptions of social norms and values.
A stigma is a term used to describe the change of an individual's social identity and self concept, attributable to their powerful, negative label. The term deviant is used consistently in this theory. Those who agree with this theory and how labelling others isn’t deemed as ‘wrong’, are also individuals who struggle to change their opinions and perceptions of the group/individual being labelled. The labelling theory proposes questions revolving around the debate of the term labelling, such as; Why do individuals/societies label?, What can labelling cause? Or how can labelling can be so distinguishable? In society, it is most common that those who have more authority and power (police, politicians, judges, health care), will usually inflict some of the most significant