Labeling Theory and its Media INfluences

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Labelling theory is how an individual’s behaviour and self-identity maybe determined or influenced by the labels used to classify them. The concepts of the self-fulfilling prophecy and stereotyping can be associated with this theory. This theory focuses on the tendency to label negatively, minority groups or those that are perceived as deviant from cultural norms. Developed in the 1950s and 1960s by sociologists, with Howard Beckers book in 1963, Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance being influential in the development of this theory as its used today. Henslin (232) states that symbolic interactionists as having developed labelling theory, which focuses on the significance of the labels (names, reputations) that are given. Deviance from these processes result from the way people socially interact. Thereby meaning that deviance is not a quality of what a person does, but of how other people interpret what someone is doing. The end of WWII saw norms and values changing as great social and political changes began to happen. Women started working outside the home, the sexual revolution, the use of drugs become socially acceptable within some groups, not necessarily legal. These social changes saw new attitudes and behaviours appear and some were determined to be deviant, therefore attracting such labels as drug addicts, alcoholics, delinquents, prostitutes, sex offenders, and psychiatric patients. Symbolic inter actionists labelling theory, focuses on the significance of these given labels. Deviance from them is a process that results from the way people socially interact. By this, it is meant that deviance is not a quality of what a person does, but of how other people interpret some ones actions. These labels then influ...

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...recorded an open finding listing the cause of Azaria's death as 'unknown'. The fourth inquest in 2012 found a dingo had in fact taken the Azaria. The Chamberlain trial was the most publicised in Australian history and also shows how labelling can influence peoples perceptions of a person. From being a mother who lost a child, Lindys behaviour in the courtroom was perceived as deviant when she appeared as cold and without emotion at the trail. This was perceived as going as against the norm therefore not winning her any sympathy from many in the media or general population. It also helped people perceive her as a cold-blooded murderer. Even today peoples opinion is divided on the whether they are innocent or not but the fact remains that the this case highlights how the labels can sway the general population and influence how they judge a person or persons behaviour.

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