Labeling Theory

Universal design for learning : teacher and administrator perspectives in elementary education

“…In the 1960s, Howard Saul Becker's book Outsiders is credited with not only the development of labeling theory but also the increase in popularity it enjoyed during this same time period (Skaggs, 2018). Labeling theory's roots are in the field of criminology and based on symbolic interactionism which comes from ideas from notable scholars like John Dewey (Skaggs, 2018).…”

“…In the 1960s, Skaggs (2018) explained, criminologists were concerned with: "What makes some acts and some people deviant or criminal?" Labeling theorists were those that were trying to reposition the lens to look at how those in power respond to behavior in society negatively as a way of understanding criminology (Skaggs, 2018). Labeling theory and the scholars in the 1960s stand on the shoulders of Frank Tannenbaum who, in the early 20 th century, coined the term/idea of tagging (Frank, 1938).…”

“…Another seminal author, Herbert Blumer, contributed to labeling theory in 1969, and suggested those in powerful positions enable crime by labeling certain acts as inappropriate (Skaggs, 2018). In fact, the label creates conditions by which society treats individuals according to the label assigned, which leads to the individual not only accepting the label, but also internalize the negative description as well (Skaggs, 2018). Other seminal authors that contributed to the ideas of labeling theory in the 1960s were Albert Memmi, Erving Goffman, and David Matza (Goffman, 1963;Matza, 1982;Memmi, 1965).…”

“…Additionally, labeling someone a mental health patient has been argued to have benefits. For example, it may lead one to receive treatment (Skaggs, 2018).…”

“…Labeling theory brought about policy changes such as the closing of "mental" institutions and the way mental health patients were cared for as well as changes to juvenile diversion programs (Skaggs, 2018). However, labeling theory was harshly criticized in the 1970s by theorists who believed in deviance and saw a weakness with labeling theory's avoidance of deviance, and thought secondary deviance, labeling theory's explanation that the behavior is a result of labeling and society's influence, has no utility for sociologists (Skaggs, 2018).…”