The Social Reaction Theory: The Labeling Process

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The social reaction theory, also known as the labeling theory, is one of the man social process theories. This theory basically holds that those who turn out to be criminals, do so due to the fact that those around them label them as such. If anyone continuously refers to someone as something they may think they are, they will eventually accept that title, whether it be positive or negative. Although one may view being labeled as a joke or rumor, the effect of someone being labeled will have an impact on them in the long run. For instance, if a young child decides to steal something from a local store and is labeled as a thief by his or her elders, they will ultimately accept this label and continue being what someone once labeled them as. …show more content…
Initially, the individual will start out by simply committing a crime, and then being arrested by authorities. Next, this individual comes labeled as a criminal by some sort of authoritative figure. Moreover, this individual will be judged by those in our society, and essentially take on a new identity. The individual will then accept the label that is placed on them, and finally become trapped in their criminal ways. Also included with the social process theory is individuals joining deviant cliques, and going through a process called retrospective reading. Individuals join these deviant cliques because they feel as if they share some type of bond due to the fact that those within the clique share a similar label. On the other hand, if someone if labeled as an ex-criminal, people around the individual bring negative assumption due to the label that was once placed on them. The process known as retrospective reading is when an individual’s past is reevaluated in order to fit ones current situation. Retrospective reading according to the textbook, can be identified as a “reassessment” of someone’s past. Edwin Lemert’s conducted what is called primary and secondary deviance. Primary deviance is when a crime has little to no influence on the future endeavors of that specific individual’s life. For instance, if someone decided to commit a theft, but never got caught, and continued on with their life …show more content…
As a young child in most circumstances, whatever that child views on a daily basis whether it is positive or negative is what that child will portray. Individuals learn socially in two ways according to the textbook: psychologically and basic techniques. Basic techniques can refer to one learning how to break someone’s door knob, and psychologically refers to dealing with the consequences of breaking into someone’s home. Social learning refers to learning everything in regards to criminal activity. Moreover, one of the most important social learning theories is Edwin H. Sutherland’s differential association theory. This theory essentially holds that people tend to commit crime when they socially learn more in regards to crime then what is traditionally accepted in today’s society. According to Sutherland and Cressey, there are nine principles in regards to this theory. These principles simply break down the aspects involved in this specific theory. First and foremost, criminal behavior is learned according to these principles. Just like one learns how to ride a bike, or write their name, people also learn to commit crimes. Criminal behavior is also learned by the help of those around
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