Psychology
Labeling Theory and Its Impact on Deviant Self-Identity
Quick fact
Labeling theory, rooted in the work of Howard Becker, suggests that deviance is not inherent in an act, but rather a consequence of the labels applied by society—so-called 'outsiders' are created by the rules of the powerful.
Why this is interesting
When you call a student 'troublemaker,' they often start to live up to that name. But what if the label itself is what creates the troublemaker?