- Are you confused by academic jargon? - Do you know your `discourse' from your `dialectic'? - Can you tell the difference between `anomie' and `alienation'? The Social Science Jargon Buster tackles the most confusing concepts in the social sciences, brea

Labelling Theory

Core definition

A social theory, originally applied to the study of deviance, that explores the influence labels have on the formation of identity.

Longer explanation

What impact would it have on your psyche if everyone around you – your family, community, school, and even the legal system – labelled you a delinquent? Or what if ...

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