Question

Howard Becker’s labeling theory argues that no act is deviant until a society labels it as deviant. Explain why Becker and other sociologists, like David Rosenhan, author of "On Being Sane in Insane Places," believe that labeling can have long-lasting effects on the individual who is labeled a deviant.

Answer 1

Answer:

Deviance is a consequence of external judgment and labeling. This judgment and labeling have the social function of clarifying moral boundaries in society.

Rosehhan explains that labeling from deviance modifies the individual's self-concept or the way we think about ourselves as it stresses the deviant identity or concept in its normal social function.

Labeling theory on deviance recognizes that labels vary depending on every society according to its culture and time. Rosenhan highlights the importance of context through the stigma building.

The stigma was the slaves' mark in Ancient Greece. This definition matches the situation that once you are labeled, it is hard to underneath and you develop a spoiled identity as deviant. This identity development works like a self-fulfilling prophecy, a prediction that causes itself to come true about the individual and the moral boundaries that deviance context stated in the society.