Labeling Theory
Running Head: | Labeling Theory |
Labeling Theory
Stacie O 'Reilly
Miller-Motte
Lisa Bruno
October 20, 2012
Abstract
According to the works of Frank Tannenbaum, Howard Becker, Edwin Lemert and the Labeling Theory, career criminals are often created by our juvenile justice system and by our society and their labeling of juveniles who have been convicted of committing a deviant act. These youngsters are often labeled as 'juvenile delinquents '. The Labeling, not the juvenile 's characteristics, can create a habitual offender.
Labeling Theory
Frank Tannenbaum, also known as the "Grandfather of the Labeling Theory", in 1938, wrote against popular beliefs that juvenile delinquents were different in many ways than non-delinquents and that they were people who fit into where they were placed by society and the juvenile justice system. This concept is the beginning of the Labeling Theory in criminology and sociology, known as "Dramatizing Evil". Tannenbaum’s argument was that: 0 When they first break the law, the juvenile is a little or no different in characteristics than his peers. 1 Youths who are labeled "bad" will be treated differently than their peers who are not labeled as "bad". 2 They may believe their label and behave as they believe they should.
As the youths are labeled, they may no longer be accepted by their peers but will gladly be accepted by other outcasts. This is the beginnings of the labeling theory.
Edwin Lemert, sociologist, contributed to the Labeling Theory by arguing that all people conduct deviant behavior occasionally and if caught any person could, by reaction of society and the criminal justice system, be labeled as a delinquent. Lemert studied and recorded the series of events that can result from the one incident. To better explain the labeling process he uses Primary and Secondary deviation. Primary Deviation is the first delinquent act the person gets caught performing. Secondary Deviance is
Labeling Theory
Stacie O 'Reilly
Miller-Motte
Lisa Bruno
October 20, 2012
Abstract
According to the works of Frank Tannenbaum, Howard Becker, Edwin Lemert and the Labeling Theory, career criminals are often created by our juvenile justice system and by our society and their labeling of juveniles who have been convicted of committing a deviant act. These youngsters are often labeled as 'juvenile delinquents '. The Labeling, not the juvenile 's characteristics, can create a habitual offender.
Labeling Theory
Frank Tannenbaum, also known as the "Grandfather of the Labeling Theory", in 1938, wrote against popular beliefs that juvenile delinquents were different in many ways than non-delinquents and that they were people who fit into where they were placed by society and the juvenile justice system. This concept is the beginning of the Labeling Theory in criminology and sociology, known as "Dramatizing Evil". Tannenbaum’s argument was that: 0 When they first break the law, the juvenile is a little or no different in characteristics than his peers. 1 Youths who are labeled "bad" will be treated differently than their peers who are not labeled as "bad". 2 They may believe their label and behave as they believe they should.
As the youths are labeled, they may no longer be accepted by their peers but will gladly be accepted by other outcasts. This is the beginnings of the labeling theory.
Edwin Lemert, sociologist, contributed to the Labeling Theory by arguing that all people conduct deviant behavior occasionally and if caught any person could, by reaction of society and the criminal justice system, be labeled as a delinquent. Lemert studied and recorded the series of events that can result from the one incident. To better explain the labeling process he uses Primary and Secondary deviation. Primary Deviation is the first delinquent act the person gets caught performing. Secondary Deviance is
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