... labelling theorists, the criticism towards labelling theorists, and the discussion surrounding its reality as an actual theory. In essence, the main focus of this paper besides proving an understanding of Howard Becker, is to describe and evaluate `labelling theory` to the study of crime and deviance, by way of an in depth discussion. THEORETICAL IMAGES The theoretical study of societal reaction to ... behaviour patterns, it is as much, if not more, to do with the way they have been stigmatized, then the deviant act they are said to have committed. In addition, Howard S. Becker (1963), on...

• Word Count: 3151
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Labelling Theory There are many views regarding human deviance, one of such is seemed by Howard S. Becker as an "outside" behaviour. He shared the same view of deviance with a group of humanistic sociologists such ... as a labelling theory or should have referred as symbolic interaction theory (which was known generally to analyze the social psychology of human behaviour) Becker's interpretation of deviance is as an "outsider", who does not conform to the conventionalist norms . In order to view the labelling theory in ... and morality. Examples of labellers are psychiatrist, judges, police...

• Word Count: 1686
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... past thirty years. "Deviance is not a quality of the act... The deviant is one to whom that label has successfully been applied; deviant behaviour is behaviour people so label". (Howard Becker, "The Outsiders", 1963) From this perspective, the reactions of those labelled and those who label are of importance. In studying Deviance from an interactionist angle, sociologists are interested in ... how such individuals cope with this imposed label, do they ignore the label or do they accept it and internalise the label and stigma surrounding their actions? (Gove, 1975) Becker's approach has i...

• Word Count: 2405
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: Undergraduate