Identify the true and false statements about labeling and deviance. True Statement(s) Drag appropriate answer(s) here Everyone who commits a deviant act receives a deviant label. Labeling refers to how we label deviant acts, not people. Labeling is a process by which people are fixed with a deviant identity. People are labeled because they more frequently commit deviant acts than those who are not labeled. Labels influence how we behave. False Statement(s) Drag appropriate answer(s) here

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:1

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True Statements:

  • Labeling refers to how we label deviant acts, not people.
  • Labeling is a process by which people are fixed with a deviant identity.
  • Labels influence how we behave.

False Statements:

  • Everyone who commits a deviant act receives a deviant label.
  • People are labeled because they more frequently commit deviant acts than those who are not labeled.

Explanation:

Labeling theory, a concept from sociology, focuses on how individuals or groups are defined as deviant and how these labels affect behavior. It suggests that deviance is not inherent in an act but is a result of societal reactions and labels.

  1. Labeling and Deviant Acts: The statement that “labeling refers to how we label deviant acts, not people” is true because it highlights how society categorizes acts as deviant, and through this process, individuals performing those acts may be labeled as deviant. The key here is the distinction between the act and the person committing it.
  2. Deviant Identity: When an individual is labeled, they may internalize this label, which can lead to a fixed “deviant identity.” This is a central concept in labeling theory. Once someone is labeled as deviant, their behavior may be influenced by this identity, either through self-fulfilling prophecy or social expectations.
  3. Impact of Labels on Behavior: The theory argues that labels have a significant impact on an individual’s future behavior. Once someone is labeled as deviant, they may be treated differently by society, which can push them into further deviance. This is known as secondary deviance.
  4. Everyone Who Commits Deviant Acts is Labeled: This is false because not everyone who commits a deviant act is labeled as deviant. Many factors, such as the person’s social status, the visibility of the act, and societal responses, play a role in whether or not a label is applied.
  5. Frequency of Deviance and Labeling: The false idea that people are labeled because they commit deviant acts more frequently is misleading. Labeling often occurs regardless of how frequently deviant behavior happens. In many cases, people may be labeled deviant due to their social status, ethnicity, or other external factors, rather than the frequency of their deviance.

In conclusion, labeling theory emphasizes the societal process of defining deviance, which is not always directly tied to the frequency of deviant acts, but rather to how society reacts to and labels individuals.

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