“The community cannot deal with people whom it cannot define.... The young delinquent becomes bad because he is defined as bad and because he is not believed if he is good.”
--- Frank Tannenbaum
Labeling theory assumes that social control leads to deviance. He focuses on the (linguistic) tendency of majorities to negatively label minorities or those who are seen as deviant from norms. Deviance (and deviants) are seen as labels to describe behaviour and individuals by particular authority figures in society (e.g. police). Social response in the form of social control can lead to delinquent behavior. Labeling a child as a delinquent has negative connotations in itself (it has second and third order effects). The label of a delinquent may result in the child becoming a delinquent (Tannenbaum, F., 1938).Frank Tannenbaum Strongly rejected the notion of a dualistic fallacy in delinquency, or the belief that delinquents and non-delinquents are two completely separate entities. He argued that delinquentsare well adjusted member of the society. Society’s response to such delinquent behavior may result in a label that carries substantial weight in determining of child’s future behavior. Labeling a child as a delinquent isolates them from the rest of the community and may drive them to associate with similarly labeled individuals (Tannenbaum, F., 1938).
Concerns itself with how self-identity and behavior of individuals might be determined by the words used to describe or classify them e.g. Labeling a child as delinquent instead of behavior as delinquent has negative connotations and serious implications• Label of “delinquent” might cause the child to become delinquent (self-fulfilling prophecy”• Tannenbaum rejected the belief that delinquents and non-delinquents are 2 separate entities (dualistic fallacy), and that delinquents are well adjusted members of society. Delinquency activity usually begins as random play or adventure. Society’s response to the behavior can result in a labeling the behavior which may have serious effects on determining the future behavior of the child. Child may respond by living up to the label. Labeling a child as delinquent may cause them to feel isolated from society and therefore drive them to associate with other similarly labeled individuals (Tannenbaum, F., 1938).
--- Frank Tannenbaum
Labeling theory assumes that social control leads to deviance. He focuses on the (linguistic) tendency of majorities to negatively label minorities or those who are seen as deviant from norms. Deviance (and deviants) are seen as labels to describe behaviour and individuals by particular authority figures in society (e.g. police). Social response in the form of social control can lead to delinquent behavior. Labeling a child as a delinquent has negative connotations in itself (it has second and third order effects). The label of a delinquent may result in the child becoming a delinquent (Tannenbaum, F., 1938).Frank Tannenbaum Strongly rejected the notion of a dualistic fallacy in delinquency, or the belief that delinquents and non-delinquents are two completely separate entities. He argued that delinquentsare well adjusted member of the society. Society’s response to such delinquent behavior may result in a label that carries substantial weight in determining of child’s future behavior. Labeling a child as a delinquent isolates them from the rest of the community and may drive them to associate with similarly labeled individuals (Tannenbaum, F., 1938).
Concerns itself with how self-identity and behavior of individuals might be determined by the words used to describe or classify them e.g. Labeling a child as delinquent instead of behavior as delinquent has negative connotations and serious implications• Label of “delinquent” might cause the child to become delinquent (self-fulfilling prophecy”• Tannenbaum rejected the belief that delinquents and non-delinquents are 2 separate entities (dualistic fallacy), and that delinquents are well adjusted members of society. Delinquency activity usually begins as random play or adventure. Society’s response to the behavior can result in a labeling the behavior which may have serious effects on determining the future behavior of the child. Child may respond by living up to the label. Labeling a child as delinquent may cause them to feel isolated from society and therefore drive them to associate with other similarly labeled individuals (Tannenbaum, F., 1938).