Social reaction (labeling) theory

Type :

Presentation

Pages :

4 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

07/15/2008

Category :

Political science

Sub category :

Social sciences

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Summary :

Erwin Lemert - Founder of Societal Reaction theory.
Howard Becker - founder of modern labeling theory.
Flaws in the main points of labeling theory.
How labeling theory affects different portions of the populace - core variables.
1. Audience learning of the crime being committed.
2. audience's reaction to the act and treatment of the person who committed it.
3. Personality of the individual undergoing stigmatization is irrelevant.
Questions one must ask when evaluating any theory.
Conclusion.

Abstract

The social reaction, or labeling theory as it is sometimes known, evolved over time from as early as 1938 (Wellford, 1975). Basically it states that as a person commits a crime, they will receive the label of "criminal". When a person is labeled as such by society, they are likely to accept this label as a part of them. Because the person now thinks of him/herself as a criminal, he/she is now likely to continue in his/her criminal behavior (Becker, 1963).
Erwin Lemert is credited with being the founder of what is called the "societal reaction" theory. It is the precursor to the social reaction or labeling theory that we know now, and is necessary to be familiar with in order to understand labeling theory in its entirety.