Labeling in the United States

Labeling Theory in relation to Crime and Race

Labeling Theory is included in the Encyclopedia of Race and Crime (1), beginning with: Labeling theory is a criminological theory stemming out of a sociological perspective known as “symbolic interactionism,” a school of thought based on the ideas of George Herbert Mead, John Dewey, W. I. Thomas, Charles Horton Cooley, and Herbert Blumer. The first as well as one of the most prominent labeling theorists was Howard Becker (1963). Two questions became popular with criminologists during the mid-1960s: What makes some acts and some people deviant or criminal? During this time, scholars tried to shift the focus of criminology toward the effects of individuals in power responding to behavior in society in a negative way; they became known as “labeling theorists” or “social reaction theorists.” Blumer (1969) emphasized the way that meaning arises in social interaction through communication, using language and symbols. The focus of this perspective is the interaction between individuals in society, which is the basis for meanings within that society.

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Notes and References

1. Entry about Labeling Theory in the Encyclopedia of Race and Crime

See Also

Method of labeling

Find more information on Method of labeling in relation to the Labeling Requirements Trade Regulations in the legal Encyclopedias.

Labeling and the International Trade Law

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See Also

Further Reading

• Labeling entry in the Dictionary of International Trade Law (Raj Bhala)
• Labeling entry in the Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History (Thomas Carson; Mary Bonk)
• Labeling entry in the Dictionary of International Trade
• Labeling entry in the Dictionary of International Trade: Handbook of the Global Trade Community (Edward G. Hinkelman)