states that the labels people are given affect their own and others’ perceptions of them, thus channeling their behavior into either deviance or conformity.

The Labeling Theory

Explanation:

The Labeling Theory was propounded in 1963 by Howard Becker to explain how deviant behaviors of people are influenced or brought about by the kind of negative terms that were used in describing or labeling such individuals over time. According to the theory, a negative label or term attributed to someone, especially the youths, can influence the person’s behavior and increase the likelihood of that person acting out such negative labels.

For example, if a high school boy is always being called “street thug” by his peers and classmates, there is high tendency of him acting out such roles and exhibiting deviant behaviors of a thug.