Social processes underlie the emergence of deviant behavior among individuals within communities. Primary deviance and labeling theory provide insight into how initial rule-breaking acts can lead to social consequences such as labeling and stigma.
Primary deviance refers to the initial act of breaking rules, which often does not have a label attached to it; however, its social consequences can result in a negative impact on the individual. Labeling theory indicates how the social response to an individual’s actions can lead to labeling and stigma, influencing future actions.
1. Primary Deviance
1.1 Definition of Primary Deviance
Primary deviance refers to an individual’s initial rule-breaking act without a label attached to it.
The act is a result of social compliance rather than a personal decision to commit an offense. The act can range from minor to major, and it may either be a one-time occurrence or repeated.
Social pressure to conform to a group’s norms further encourages primary deviance, as individuals change their behavior to fit in.
1.2 History of Primary Deviance
The symbolic interactionist school established the labeling theory, indicating how the symbolic meanings of actions and social groups’ reactions to these actions result in deviance.
Social basis of deviance highlights how societal responses may lead to a cycle of deviant behavior. Labeling theory indicates that the act of labeling can encourage individuals to continue particular behaviors, which can become self-fulfilling prophecies.
Labels can become a part of an individual’s self-concept, causing derailment from prosocial behavior (Krohn, Lanza-Kaduce, & Akers, 2011).
1.3 Examples of Primary Deviance
In the healthcare field, labeling and stigmatization can take place.
Individuals with medical conditions may encounter stereotypes associated with their illnesses, such as mental health conditions. Criminological labeling theory suggests that labeling an individual as a criminal can create a secondary deviance that leads to further criminal acts.
Labeling individuals as deviant within specific groups, such as peers, produces negative social consequences for these individuals. Substance use and intoxicants use, truancy behaviors are examples where peer pressure and other social interactions can lead to primary deviance.
2. Labeling Theory
2.1 Definition of Labeling Theory
Labeling theory is a symbolic interactionism framework theorizing how shared social connotations lead to making rules and outsiders.
Interaction between the person committing the act and those responding to it is crucial in the theory. It indicates that the process of an individual defining themselves precedes the social definition of the same individual.
Labeling theory highlights how rejections hurt as individuals want to feel accepted by their groups (Lemert, 2013).
2.2 Application of Labeling Theory
The medical field applies labeling theory to encourage behavior change in patients.
Physicians motivate patients with lifestyle diseases to change their behaviors such as regular exercise and healthy eating. The public’s stereotypes of healthcare-related choices can encourage patients to continue particular behaviors to conform to societal norms even though the choices’ consequences are substantial.
For adolescents and substance abuse, labeling and stigmatization lead to negative consequences such as decreased self-esteem and poor mental health. Truancy behaviors often lead to labeling of children as problematic; labeling then leads to further behavior issues (Brosnan & McCartan, 2013).
Conclusion
Primary deviance and labeling theory provide a framework for understanding how initial rule-breaking acts can snowball into social compliance and labeling. The processes and consequences associated with primary deviance are a critical topic in the fields of healthcare and criminal justice.
Labeling theory provides important insights into the effects of societal reactions on individuals, particularly in the medical and adolescent fields. By highlighting how labeling can impact individuals, these theories encourage socially acceptable behavior and urge one to view deviant behavior through a social lens rather than an individualistic one.
3. Secondary Deviation
3.1 Definition of Secondary Deviation
Secondary deviation is the stage following primary deviance, where a person internalizes the negative label attached due to their initial rule-breaking act, creating a deviant identity.
The deviant identity becomes part of the person’s self-concept, and it can lead to further deviation from social norms. Social control, through the mediation of agents such as the police or family members, is intensified in response to secondary deviation as society intends to protect itself from further acts of deviance.
Socially constructed categories further contribute to secondary deviation as individuals choose groups to associate with to retain connection and identity (Young, 2011). 3.2 Relationship between Primary and Secondary Deviation
Labeling an individual as deviant in primary deviance can result in treating the person like an outsider, leading to secondary deviation.
The social status and psychology of the labeled person impacts the degree and form of secondary deviation. Labeled persons may avoid societal responsibility and discipline, leading to continued rule-breaking behaviors that conform to the deviant identity created.
Social norms are one of the significant factors for the impact of primary deviation on secondary deviation. Deviance associated with a social norm impacts the assignment of deviance and can affect how the individual reacts (Becker, 1963).
4. Edwin Lemert
4.1 Background of Edwin Lemert
Edwin Lemert is an American sociologist born in 1912, famous for his early work on social basis of deviance and labeling theory.
He earned his PhD in sociology from Columbia University in 1943 and then went on to teach at a range of universities.
4.2 Contribution of Edwin Lemert to Understanding Deviance
Lemert’s ideas regarding primary and secondary deviation revolutionized the field of sociology and offered new insights into the development and escalation of deviant behavior.
He suggested that the core of human deviance lies not in individual behavior, but in social problems that arise from systematic inequalities in the society. In his theory, social control plays a significant role in the escalation of deviant behavior.
He argued that labeling and stigmatizing deviants have significant psychological impacts that can lead to further deviant behavior. Lemert’s works continue to influence not only the study of deviance but also criminology and other social sciences fields (Clinard, 1977).
Conclusion
The study of primary and secondary deviation provides a framework for understanding how social control mechanisms influence the development of deviant behavior. Primary deviation exposes how social conformity can lead to minor rule-breaking acts, while secondary deviation shows how continued labeling and internalization can lead to deviant identities that result in more significant acts of deviance.
Edwin Lemert’s contribution to understanding human deviance emphasizes the importance of social problems in shaping deviant behavior, and his theories continue to offer valuable insights into social control and human behavior. In conclusion, the study of primary and secondary deviation and labeling theory provides valuable insights into how social control mechanisms influence deviant behavior.
The framework offered by these theories helps us understand the social context of deviant behavior and emphasizes the importance of social problems in shaping deviant behavior. Edwin Lemert’s contribution to understanding human deviance further illustrates the social basis of deviance and the need for social control to prevent the escalation of deviant behavior.
By understanding these complex theories, we can develop effective strategies to prevent and address deviant behavior in our society.
FAQs:
1.
What is primary deviance? Primary deviance refers to the initial act of rule-breaking that does not have a label attached to it and is a result of social compliance rather than a personal decision.
2. What is labeling theory?
Labeling theory provides insight into how the social response to an individual’s actions can lead to labeling and stigma, influencing future actions. 3.
What is secondary deviation? Secondary deviation is the stage following primary deviance, where a person internalizes the negative label attached due to their initial rule-breaking act, creating a deviant identity, and leading to further deviation from social norms.
4. Who is Edwin Lemert?
Edwin Lemert was an American sociologist famous for his early work on the social basis of deviance and labeling theory. 5.
What is the significance of understanding these theories? By understanding primary and secondary deviation and labeling theory, we can develop effective strategies to prevent and address deviant behavior in our society.
These insights help us understand how social control mechanisms influence deviant behavior, highlighting the importance of social problems in shaping deviant behavior.