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Perspectives and
theories-
The Labelling Theory
Khadijah Robinson
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Contents

Provide an overview of one of the following theories or perspectives. ......................................3

Contrast and evaluate the response to criminal behaviour suggested by the theory you describe
above, with the predestined actor model......................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
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Provide an overview of one of the following theories or perspectives.

The labelling theory posits that an individual's actions are influenced by the societal
labels assigned to them. For example, individuals who are stigmatised as criminals are more
likely to engage in more criminal behaviour within society, in contrast to those who are
positively labelled as noble individuals within society. The term "label" refers to the designation
that guides an individual's behaviour within a societal context (Labelling Theory, Unitas, 2021,
B5 L.U.21.1). Therefore, it is imperative that authorities refrain from assigning labels to
individuals in order to mitigate crime within society. It has been stated that individuals lacking
authority are subjected to unfavourable labelling in comparison to those who possess power
within society. In instances where a person of influence engages in misconduct, it is frequently
observed that society tends to be less inclined to hold them directly accountable as compared to
instances of wrongdoing by someone lacking power or influence. It is imperative that efforts are
made to mitigate this discrimination in order to effectively lower the crime rate within society.
Interactionism is closely linked to the philosophy of labelling. According to this analysis, several
significant concepts are being employed, such as the utilisation of agents of social control, the
application of labels, and the perpetuation of stereotypes related to criminal behaviour. Both of
these phenomena have several implications for society, such as the emergence of criminal
careers, the reinforcement of self-fulfilling prophecies, and the amplification of deviancy
(Newburn, 2017).
The impact of social background on criminal behaviour is not deemed to be substantial; instead,
it is the labelling of persons by authorities inside society that has a predominant role.
The interactionist theories of deviance encompass four primary concepts. Firstly, these theories
posit that crime is predominantly a sociological construct. In other words, an act that causes
direct harm to an individual or society at large only assumes the status of criminality when those
in positions of authority assign it such a label.
Labelling also carries significant implications, as it can lead to the amplification of deviant
behaviour, the fulfilment of self-fulfilling prophecies, and the development of deviant career
paths for individuals.
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It has been observed that individuals who exhibit deviant behaviour do not always receive
specific labels. However, it is worth noting that the labels assigned to deviant individuals tend to
predominantly possess a criminal connotation. It also results in the disempowerment of
individuals by those in positions of authority.

The labelling theory espouses a distinct "value position" that prioritises the promotion of policies
aimed at reducing the tendency to categorise small acts as more deviant. Interactionists have put
forth the argument that no act can be naturally classified as entirely deviant or illegal. However,
the deviance of a certain behaviour tends to be amplified when specific individuals assign it the
label of deviant. It is important to acknowledge that deviance is only a consequence of society's
response to an individual's actions. According to Howard Becker's (1963) perspective, crime
mostly emerges as a consequence of social interactions among individuals.

Contrast and evaluate the response to criminal behaviour suggested by the theory you describe
above, with the predestined actor model.
The labelling theory posits that the act of identifying individuals plays a crucial role in
the process of delineating and categorising various forms of criminal conduct. There exists a
higher probability that individuals lacking authority will be subjected to labelling, whereas those
possessing power will not face social stigmatisation for their involvement in unlawful behaviours
due to their privileged status within society (Unitas (2021) CCCJ The Predestined Actor Model).
A correlation exists between the two variables. This category enables those who would otherwise
lack the ability to perform certain actions to now engage in them. A positive association has been
identified between the utilisation of the labelling of individuals by governmental entities and an
increase in the incidence of illegal behaviours. The predestined actor model provides an
explanation of how biological, psychological, and social factors interact to contribute to an
individual's inclination to participate in criminal activities. Based on this theoretical framework,
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an individual's cognitive abilities can be influenced by the surrounding environment in which

they are situated. Moreover, individuals tend to behave in a manner that aligns with their unique
set of personal beliefs and ideas. For instance, in the event that an individual has the belief that
robbery lacks the essential elements to be classified as a criminal act, they may engage in acts of
robbery without experiencing any moral culpability. This is due to the fact that their ideological
convictions prompt them to assert that acts of robbery do not qualify as criminal behaviour. Take
into consideration, for instance, a conflict that transpired in the past involving two individuals
who were in the midst of their adolescent years. It is imperative to acknowledge that in
socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, law enforcement authorities may perceive
confrontations as evidence of juvenile delinquency. This is a matter that warrants recognition. In
contrast, the conclusion is reached in the context of a thriving community by considering
empirical evidence that indicates a significant level of morale within the community. Although
the activities in question exhibit resemblances, the interpretation of these similarities can differ
considerably depending on an individual's viewpoint and the classifications imposed by those in
positions of authority. One notable critique of the predestined actor model is its failure to
consider the presence of established moral norms and legal frameworks within a specific country
however individuals within a society who engage in activities that fall outside the boundaries of
the law will face penal consequences. On the other hand, the labelling theory, claims that societal
penalties and sanctions are not uniformly applied to all individuals involved in illegal behaviour.
In instances where individuals from disparate socioeconomic backgrounds engage in identical
criminal behaviour, it is observed that the offender belonging to a higher socioeconomic stratum
tends to be more prone to receiving a comparatively lenient sentence in contrast to their
counterpart from a lower socioeconomic stratum. The impact of a crime on an individual can
exhibit significant variation contingent upon their social status, whereby certain crimes possess
the capacity to inflict substantial harm on one individual while yielding comparatively minimal
consequences for another. Individuals in positions of authority often possess extensive networks
and associations with influential individuals, hence enhancing their ability to effectively manage
the societal ramifications associated with their decision-making processes. In relation to the
administration of sanctions towards an individual, this statement underscores the significance of
engaging with diverse entities responsible for social regulation, including the judiciary and
various law enforcement bodies (Hayward K, Maruna S & Mooney J [2010]).
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Becker HS (1963) Outsiders: Studies in Sociology of Deviance. New York: The Free Press of
Glencoe.
Labelling Theory [Unitas 2021, B5 L.U.21.1]
Newburn, T. (2017) Criminology. Abingdon: Routledge
Unitas (2021) CCCJ The Predestined Actor Model: Block 4 [Mobile Application] Unitas &
Anspear.
Hayward K, Maruna S & Mooney J [2010] Fifty Key Thinker in Criminology: Taylor & Francis
Group