Labeling Theory: The Stigmatisation of Labels

  Labeling theory explains how others perceive a person’s behavior. Then, based on its characteristics, they label it within social and cultural conventions. The central concept of this theory is that society negatively labels anyone who “deviates” from the social norms. Sociology studies conventions and social norms. It uses the concept of deviation in respect of labeling theory. This means that if a person’s appearance or behavior conforms only to a social minority, they’ll be negatively labeled. That’s because they don’t meet the standards of the norms and culture of the dominant society. However, what does it mean to label…