1. Labels…...How do they apply?

2. Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory
Learning deviant behavior happens in groups

3. Differential Association
A person’s tendency toward conformity or deviance depends on the amount of contact with others who encourage or reject conventional behavior.

4. Studies prove:
Young people tend to lean towards delinquency if their peers encourage this behavior.

5. Hirschi’s Control Theory
States that social control depends on people anticipating the consequences of their behavior.

6. There is always “deviance tempting”.
Some control themselves through conscience and fear of future consequences.
People who have little to lose have more of a chance to break the rules.

7. Four different types of social control:

8. Attachment
Strong social attachments encourage conformity. Weak relationships eliminates the connection to others – helps encourage the idea of “breaking free” since there is no one to “care”.

9. Opportunity
When people have a better access to legitimate opportunity – they will have greater advantages – this leads to “conforming to society’s standards” to keep this place in society. Someone with little “future” sees no success so therefore finds a way to get through life which could cause bad decisions.

10. Involvement “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop”
The more active in legitimate activities you are, the less likely you will have the time or the need to participate in illegal/deviant behaviors.

11. Belief
People tend to NOT want to participate in deviant behaviors when they have a strong tie to conventional morality and respect for authority. The weaker the belief, the more tempting the behavior.

12. Critical Review: Some theories see deviance as a process.
Labeling links deviance to actions not reactions.
Secondary deviance; deviant career; stigma can cause these “labels” to become a lasting self- concept.

13. Limitations:

14. #1: Highly relative view of deviance – this tends to lead to ignoring the fact that some behaviors are condemned almost everywhere (ex: Murder). Labeling theory is mostly used for the “lesser” deviant behaviors (ex: sexual promiscuity or mental illness).

15. #2: Research on the consequences of deviant behavior have yet to prove if labeling further produces deviance or discourages it.

16. #3: Sometimes the label of deviant makes people WANT to do it
#3: Sometimes the label of deviant makes people WANT to do it. Social injustices have been fought by many “deviants” who are proud they are going “against the system” to do what they feel is right. (ex: MLK, Jr; Malcom X; etc).