Labelling Theory
LABELING THEORY
Labeling theory, which is also known as social reaction theory, explains how criminal careers are based on destructive social interactions and encounters.
EVOLUTION OF THE LABELING THEORY- Howard Becker developed his theory of labeling in the 1963 book Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance. Becker's theory evolved during a period of social and political power struggle that was amplified within the world of the college campus. Liberal political movements were embraced by many of the college students and faculty in America. Howard Becker harnessed this liberal influence and adjusted Lemert's labeling theory and its symbolic interaction theoretical background. The labeling theory outlined in Outsiders is recognized as the prevailing social reaction approach by Lemert as well as most other sociologists Becker's approach has its roots in the symbolic interaction foundation of Cooley and Mead, and the labeling influences of Tannenbaum and Lemert.
SOCIAL INTERACTION THEORY- Propounders- Charles Horton Cooley, George Herbert Mea and Herbert Blumer
According to this theory:
People communicate via symbols which include gestures, signs, words or images, that stand for or represent something else. These symbols let people know what others think about them.
Cooley develops the theoretical concept of the looking glass self, a type of imaginary sociability. People imagine the view of themselves through the eyes of others in their social circles and form judgments of themselves based on these imaginary observations. The main idea of the looking glass self is that people define themselves according to society's perception of them. Cooley's ideas, coupled with the works of Mead, are very important to labeling theory and its approach to a person's acceptance of labels as attached by society.
how people view reality depends upon the content of the messages and situations they encounter, the subjective interpretation of these interactions, and how
Labeling theory, which is also known as social reaction theory, explains how criminal careers are based on destructive social interactions and encounters.
EVOLUTION OF THE LABELING THEORY- Howard Becker developed his theory of labeling in the 1963 book Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance. Becker's theory evolved during a period of social and political power struggle that was amplified within the world of the college campus. Liberal political movements were embraced by many of the college students and faculty in America. Howard Becker harnessed this liberal influence and adjusted Lemert's labeling theory and its symbolic interaction theoretical background. The labeling theory outlined in Outsiders is recognized as the prevailing social reaction approach by Lemert as well as most other sociologists Becker's approach has its roots in the symbolic interaction foundation of Cooley and Mead, and the labeling influences of Tannenbaum and Lemert.
SOCIAL INTERACTION THEORY- Propounders- Charles Horton Cooley, George Herbert Mea and Herbert Blumer
According to this theory:
People communicate via symbols which include gestures, signs, words or images, that stand for or represent something else. These symbols let people know what others think about them.
Cooley develops the theoretical concept of the looking glass self, a type of imaginary sociability. People imagine the view of themselves through the eyes of others in their social circles and form judgments of themselves based on these imaginary observations. The main idea of the looking glass self is that people define themselves according to society's perception of them. Cooley's ideas, coupled with the works of Mead, are very important to labeling theory and its approach to a person's acceptance of labels as attached by society.
how people view reality depends upon the content of the messages and situations they encounter, the subjective interpretation of these interactions, and how