Labeling is the assignment of a descriptor to an individual based on selected
behavioral and/or physical characteristics. In society, an assigned label essentially
places the individual into a specified group possessing similar characteristics. By
design, a label can serve the discriminatory purpose of distinguishing the individual
(and otherssimilarly labeled)fromthe rest ofsociety and provide information about
the individual regardless of its accuracy.
HowardBecker’s(1963) classic labeling theory assertsthat labelsinfluence the
perceptions of both the individual and other members ofsociety. Once the majority
members of a society (e.g., EuropeanAmericans/Whitesin the United States) have
decided that certain behaviors are outside of the societal norms or unlawful, any
individuals exhibitingsuchbehaviors are considereddeviants(or criminals).Becker
maintains there is power in words, arguing that the mere labeling of someone as