The idea of labeling theory flourished in american sociology during the 1960s, thanks in large part to sociologist howard becker. Becker 1973 clearly lays out labelling theory in his book outsiders. Howie becker is an american sociologist renowned for his qualitative research into the lives of those otherwise classified as deviant, and for revolutionizing how deviant behavior is studied and theorized within the discipline. The definition of labeling theory presented in his book became the generally accepted one. In art worlds 1982, a book that greatly influenced the sociology of art. Becker, born april 18th 1928, is a well known renowned american sociologist. Prior to beckers work, sociologists looked at nonnormative behavior to establish deviance. According to becker, deviance is not an intrinsic feature of behavior. Labelling theory has been applied to the context of the school to explain differences in educational achievement this should sound familiar from year 1. Becker suggested that secondary deviance should not be the main focus of labeling researchers. The labeling theory is defined as the theory of how the selfidentity and behavior of individuals may be determined or influenced by the terms used to describe or classify them. Studies in the sociology of deviance 1963, views deviance as the creation of social groups and not the quality of some act or behavior. Howard becker has been criticised on much of his work on many levels, and these criticisms must be explored before any evaluation of his contribution to criminological knowledge can be made.
Jan 25, 2017 in this overview, the sociological theories of howard becker from his book, outsiders, will be applied to the narrative film outsiders 1983, which is itself based on a novel s. This theory was developed by howard sual becker during the 1960s in his book titled. Labeling theory is also connected to other fields besides crime. Any person who wishes to become better acquainted with the major trends in contemporary sociology will profit from studying this new book by howard s. However, its core ideas can be traced back to the work of founding french sociologist emile durkheim. Howard saul beckers book outsiders was extremely influential in the development of this theory and its rise to popularity.
The main theorist within labelling theory howard becker illustrates how crime is the product of social interactions by using the example of a. Howard becker is an american sociologist whos most notable work is what he has done on labelling and the issues of deviance, his most famous book, outsiders was published in 1966 and has widely been credited as being the first book to come into the idea of labelling. Studies in the sociology of deviance, introduced labeling theory as an approach from his perspective for understanding. Howard saul becker born april 18, 1928 is an american sociologist who has made major contributions to the sociology of deviance, sociology of art, and sociology of music. There are many people who have helped create the labeling theory, howard becker, edwin lemert, charles horton cooley, george herbert mead, frank tannenbaum, and many more. Outsiders, a sandwich book comprised of two previouslypublished articles on marijuana use and two on dance musicians, a twochapter introduction, and a threechapter conclusion and, in the 1973 edition, the authors reappraisal of labeling theory, has been, by far, howard s. Studies in sociology of deviance new ed by becker, howard s. Within schools, howard becker 1970 argued that middle class teachers have an idea of an ideal pupil that is middle class. Becker stressed the need for a dynamic approach to the studying of labeling theory rather than a simple cause and effect one. Howard saul becker s book outsiders was extremely influential in the development of this theory and its rise to popularity. Social rules define situations and the kinds of behavior appropriate to them, specifying some actions as right and forbidding others as wrong. One of the most groundbreaking sociology texts of the mid20th century, howard s. Beckers most famous book, outsiders 1963, viewed deviance as the cultural product of interactions between people whose occupations involved either committing crimes or catching criminals.
Primary and secondary deviance define at what point a person is. Becker s outsiders is a thorough exploration of social deviance and how it can be addressed in an understanding and helpful manner. Of all his many writings, outsiders, which was written in 1963, is one of his most imperative and prominent works, regarded as critical classical study within the discipline of sociology and deviance. This theory focuses on the reaction to the behavior by society. Labeling theory holds that deviance is not a quality of the act because it is the result of personality factors associated with committing deviance. This essay looks first at labelling theory and then moves on to examine the theory more critically and assess its reach in explaining crime and deviance. The theory claims that for a criminal to be successfully labeled, an audience must be present to provide a reaction to the crimes committed labeling theory concerns itself not with the normal roles that define our lives, but with those very special roles that society provides for. Dec 11, 2009 originating in sociology and criminology, labeling theory also known as social reaction theory was developed by sociologist howard becker. All social groups groups make rules and attempt, at some times and under some circumstances, to enforce them. Studies in the sociology of deviance, the most wellknown book on labeling theory. Becker, that is have created this page primarily to make things ive written and published in obscure places available to anyone who wants them. Outsiders, a sandwich book comprised of two previously published. Sociologist howard becker is credited with the most influential formulation of labeling theory, which appears in his book outsiders 1973. Becker himself examines some of the criticisms made of the theory in his book labelling theory reconsidered.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Howard becker theory of labelling social class and attainment. Becker, labelling 9781234583347 by source wikipedia for up to 90% off at. Labeling theory in 1963, sociologist howard saul becker published the outsiders. From time to time ill add to whats here, as well as provide news on topics of interest to people who know me or are interested in what im up to. Theory with a wide horizon by alain pessin alain pessin, who unfortunately, for sociology died in 2006, wrote this book about my approach to sociology which has now been translated from the original french for anglophone readers. Howard becker how education is effected by labeling and. Becker is popular for criticizing other theories of deviance for accepting the existence of deviance and by doing so, accept. Labeling theory provides a distinctively sociological approach that focuses on the role of social labeling in the development of crime and deviance. Becker s 1963 book outsiders is credited as one of the first books on labeling theory and its application to studies of deviance. His books include tricks of the trade and what about mozart.
As howard becker 1963 puts it deviancy is not a quality of the act a person commits, but rather a consequences of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an offender. Its a terrific view into one of the major sociological theories. Becker s most famous book, outsiders 1963, viewed deviance as the cultural product of interactions between people whose occupations involved either committing crimes or catching criminals. Becker s 1963 book outsiders provided the foundations for labeling theory. Feb 12, 2016 in sociology, labeling theory is the view of deviance according to which being labeled as a deviant leads a person to engage in deviant behavior. Scientists do not ordinarily question the label deviant. Beckers 1963 book outsiders is credited as one of the first books on labeling theory and its. Jun 30, 2008 one of the most groundbreaking sociology texts of the mid20th century, howard s. For example, in the works of a leading labelling theorist, howard becker, and within the limits of a single text of his, called. Labeling theory labeling theory, which is also known as social reaction theory, explains how criminal careers are based on destructive social interactions and encounters. Studies in the sociology of deviance becker, howard s. A compulsively readable and thoroughly researched exploration of social deviance and the application of what is known as labeling theory to the studies of deviance.
Nov 06, 2015 labeling theory is ascribing a behavior as deviant by society. Howard becker 1928 labelling is the process by which others usually those in powerful positions come to impose an identity upon us obyrne, 2011. Labeling theory, in criminology, a theory stemming out of a sociological perspective known as symbolic interactionism, a school of thought based on the ideas of george herbert mead, john dewey, w. Labelling theory sociology bibliographies cite this for me. Becker is often called a symbolic interactionist or social. Labeling theory was developed by sociologists during the 1960s. Beckers outsiders is a thorough exploration of social deviance and how it can be addressed in an understanding and helpful manner. A compilation of early essays on the subject, outsiders outlines becker s theories of deviance through two deviant groups. Labelling perspective is regarded as one of the main theories developed by the interactionists, with howard becker being instrumental in its formation giddens and sutton, 20. Acts and individuals are not inherently deviant until some social groups can successfully define them that way. He is the author of art worlds, a seminal book on the sociology of art, writing for social scientists, and tricks of the trade. Deviant behaviour is behaviour that people so label.
Becker 1928 is a sociologist known for his work in the sociology of deviance, art, qualitative methods, visual sociology, and the practice of research and writing in the social sciences. A compulsively readable and thoroughly researched exploration of social deviance and the application of what is known as labeling theory to. Thomas, charles horton cooley, and herbert blumer, among others. Evolution of the labeling theory howard becker developed his theory of labeling in the 1963 book outsiders. Becker 1963 later argued that he never thought he had set down the basis for a formal theory in his book, outsiders. Social constructionism, social stigma, deinstitutionalisation, george herbert mead, howard s. For instance there is the labeling theory that corresponds to homosexuality. Becker also wrote extensively on sociological writing styles and methodologies. Howard becker s approach to the labeling of deviance, as described in outsiders. Hinton, the author credited with inventing the field of young adult literature, especially with this novel that she wrote while still a teenager in the 1960s. Labeling theory and symbolic interaction theory criminology. It represented a major turning point in the sociology of deviance. Howard becker, drug use and the sociology of deviance. It focuses on the linguistic tendency of majorities to.
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