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Updated Mar 30, 2026

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Understanding Labelling Theory in Sociology: Primary and Secondary Deviance

Saffron

@saffron

Labelling theoryfundamentally explores how societal reactions shape deviant behavior,... Show more

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<h2 id="whatislabellingtheoryinsociology">What is Labelling Theory in Sociology?</h2>
<p>Labelling theory, as discussed by Lemert and Young

Lemert's Primary and Secondary Deviance

This section explores Lemert's (1951) crucial distinction between primary and secondary deviance, establishing fundamental concepts in labelling theory criminology.

Definition: Primary deviance refers to acts that occur without public labelling, while secondary deviance results from societal reaction and labelling.

Example: Fare dodging represents primary deviance as it often goes undetected and doesn't affect self-identity.

Highlight: The progression to secondary deviance can lead to a deviant career, where individuals join subcultures that reinforce their deviant identity.

Young's study of hippie marijuana users demonstrates these concepts in action:

Initial drug use represented primary deviance
Police persecution led to secondary deviance
Formation of closed deviant subcultures
Development of master status as drug users

Vocabulary: Master status refers to a label that overshadows all other aspects of an individual's identity.

Evaluation of Labelling Theory

This page presents critical analysis of Lemert and Young's contributions to labelling theory crime and deviance.

Highlight: Social control processes, ironically, can produce the very behavior they aim to prevent.

Quote: "We can't predict if someone whose labelled will have a deviant career- they have the ability to choose to not deviate any further." - Downes and Rock (2003)

The evaluation emphasizes that while labelling can lead to deviant careers, this outcome isn't inevitable, acknowledging individual agency in responding to labels.

Criticism: A key criticism of labelling theory is its potential determinism, though theorists maintain individuals retain choice in their response to labels.

Introduction to Labelling Effects

This page introduces the key theorists Lemert and Young and their contributions to understanding how labelling affects deviant behavior. Their work forms the cornerstone of modern labelling theory in sociology.

Definition: Labelling theory examines how society's reaction to behavior can influence whether it becomes deviant.

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Updated Mar 30, 2026

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3 pages

Understanding Labelling Theory in Sociology: Primary and Secondary Deviance

Saffron

@saffron

Labelling theory fundamentally explores how societal reactions shape deviant behavior, with key contributions from Lemert and Young demonstrating the progression from primary to secondary deviance. Their work illuminates how social labeling can create self-fulfilling prophecies and deviant careers.

• Lemert's... Show more

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Lemert's Primary and Secondary Deviance

This section explores Lemert's (1951) crucial distinction between primary and secondary deviance, establishing fundamental concepts in labelling theory criminology.

Definition: Primary deviance refers to acts that occur without public labelling, while secondary deviance results from societal reaction and labelling.

Example: Fare dodging represents primary deviance as it often goes undetected and doesn't affect self-identity.

Highlight: The progression to secondary deviance can lead to a deviant career, where individuals join subcultures that reinforce their deviant identity.

Young's study of hippie marijuana users demonstrates these concepts in action:

Initial drug use represented primary deviance
Police persecution led to secondary deviance
Formation of closed deviant subcultures
Development of master status as drug users

Vocabulary: Master status refers to a label that overshadows all other aspects of an individual's identity.

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Evaluation of Labelling Theory

This page presents critical analysis of Lemert and Young's contributions to labelling theory crime and deviance.

Highlight: Social control processes, ironically, can produce the very behavior they aim to prevent.

Quote: "We can't predict if someone whose labelled will have a deviant career- they have the ability to choose to not deviate any further." - Downes and Rock (2003)

The evaluation emphasizes that while labelling can lead to deviant careers, this outcome isn't inevitable, acknowledging individual agency in responding to labels.

Criticism: A key criticism of labelling theory is its potential determinism, though theorists maintain individuals retain choice in their response to labels.

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

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Introduction to Labelling Effects

Definition: Labelling theory examines how society's reaction to behavior can influence whether it becomes deviant.