Labeling Deviant Behavior

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I. Hayes, Terrell A. (2010). Labeling and the adoption of a deviant status. Deviant Behavior, 31, 274-302.

II. Research question: The purpose of this study was to explore how individuals who develop large amounts of debt come to the determination that their behavior and they are deviant; and the role informal social networks and self-help groups play in their transition to a deviant status. III. Theory/Past Literature Labeling as a social theory regarding deviance, Rotenberg (1974) made an argument that “self-labeling” is essential in the identification as deviant and defining self-labeling as, “one’s basic social and self-identity…(which) categorically classifies one, in one’s own eyes and in the eyes of others, as …show more content…
(p. 296) When discussing labeling and its effect towards transformation, the labeling of deviant behavior by individuals in ones’ social circle do not immediately cause one to self- identify as deviant. Each event causes the individual to reflect, creating self-awareness and the potential to identify the deviant behavior as problematic. (p. 296) When behaviors are identified as problematic, one will seek help or comfort in a group of individuals with which they can identify in the event to belong or change their behavior. This often resorts in the enrollment of self-help groups. The inability to live up to the status quo of the “norm”, a critical event, and/or chance was identified as creating passive cues. The study also confirmed what Degher and Hughes (1991) stated, that labeling is critical in the recognizing and placing processes towards effective self-awareness. (p. 297) Women were also identified as more likely and willing to self-label than men and to have participated in a previous 12 step program making them more likely to identify behaviors labeled as deviant in themselves. The resistance of acceptance of deviant status can be complicated by conflicting labels as well as behaviors advocated by groups are seen that differ from cultural expectations can enhance an individual’s deviant status. (p. 297)
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