Labeling Theory

A video explaining the effects of labelling ...

As many know, this is Chris Brown. Chris became part of the music industry when he was 13 years old. Many people seen him as a sweet, innocent, talented, goofy artist until the incident with Rihanna happened. After the news spread about their fight everyone seen him as bad guy. His labels quickly changed to “woman beater” ,“short temper”, “bad artist”, simply someone you didn't want to support or be around. Chris then started to act out and get into loads of trouble. He said himself the labels people gave him affected him so much he started to believe they were true. 

People put labels on others because it make them feel good and safe about themselves. But really it divides and separate people from their own society. We all want to be liked, accepted, and loved. Labeling people actually destroys us and our personality. If you label someone it may not always be who they really are.. 

A 15 year old boy is caught taking drugs and is labelled a deviant by his/her immediate social group when they find out. His parents find out and reinforce the deviant label by remonstrating with their son about what they see as his deviant behaviour. His parents tell his school. His teachers search his bag on a random search and find drugs. He is permanently excluded from school and the police are informed. He is arrested and cautioned.  He cannot find another school in time to sit his GCSE exams and therefore can only find low paid work. He steals from the shop that employs him in order to buy the drugs that give him an escape from the drudgery of everyday life. The shop finds out and he is sacked and the police are informed. He is arrested and charged with theft. He now has a criminal record. He cannot get another job as he has to declare his criminal record to prospective employers. He steals from parents to get some money. His parents throw him out of the house. He lives with friends in a flat. The police raid the flat one day as they see known drug takers entering the flat. He is arrested, charged and imprisoned on drug related offences. He begins taking hard drugs in prison. Once released, he turned to crime to finance his life. He takes an overdose of heroin that has been cut with impure chemicals and dies at the age of 21. This all happens because the idea of him being labeled as a “drug user” or “law breaker” stuck with him up until he took his last breath. 

10. mentally ill 

Labeling theory is often used in the study of criminology to determine why certain individuals tend to deviate from the norms. This identified that criminal aspect behind labeling theory as portraying criminality as a product of society’s reaction to the individual and that once any one person is convicted of a crime, they automatically acquire a criminal identity for any future actions they will have.  Therefore, the idea of labeling theory can negatively affect a person for life.

Society Vs. Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHSvZZ1pnm0 

On the left is a picture of a guy named, Thomas Haynesworth, who served 27 years for several rapes on white women he did not commit. On the right is the guy who actually did commit the crime. Haynesworth was chosen because for one he was a black male, and he was identified by one of the victims while going to the grocery store to pick up items for his mother. There are many different characteristic that stand out for each male, specifically height. All women noticed their attacker was tall, 5′10 to be exact. One victim who stood 5′8 said the attacker was taller than her, Haynesworth was only 5′6. Why was he chosen when they all knew that his height was distinctly different than what they remember? Race plays a huge role. This case is a prime example of the labeling theory. 

- Cons: The actual behavior is not linked to the labeling theory, Since you are labeled in society as a criminal, you are then more likely to commit more crimes, once you are labeled as a criminal you will always be labeled as that

Labeling people can cause you from knowing who someone really is. It can be thrown judgement given to someone who is the complete opposite.

The Labeling Theory of Criminology was developed by sociologists in the 1960′s. The first theorist for this theory was Howard Becker. The popping question of what makes a criminal a criminal started in the mid 1960′s. During this time scientist tried figuring out a way to shift the focus on criminology. Showing the effects caused by responses in society. The focus of this theory was the interaction with an individual and the world. These theorist portrayed individuals as criminals based on appearance and behaviors that seemed inappropriate. They explained how rehab can maybe cause the criminal to have slight holds on the acts but the acts of crime still become them. As for those who are being labeled for their appearances they had to be careful of their reactions and how they act so that the “treat” or “criminal” off take they give off does not effect their surroundings. Our society labels and looks at criminals in an image. For example. People are seen to be offensive or criminals depending on what our society portrays them as. Many people with tattoos and who wear mostly dark clothing get looked at different because on tv those certain people get looked at like they are also criminals. The labeling of men and how cops see these men, the list goes on and on. Labeling theory is a big situation in our society, and in criminology. Sometimes it could be leading us in the wrong direction and we don’t know.