Evaluate The Labelling Theory

Labelling theory is a concept where by an individual’s behaviour is constructed by the words that society use to classify and identify them as. It is proposed that the labelling theory states that deviance is not characteristic to an action of the individual; but is formulated by the powerful majorities that categorises certain behaviours as deviant, which goes against the standard norms of the society (Becker, 1963). In essence the crucial point in the labelling theory is that the concept of deviance is relative, as individuals do not automatically become deviant due to their actions, but it is how people react to the action that either makes the act deviant or not. Therefore there are two types of deviance that constitute the labelling theory,