The Term Secondary Deviance Can Be Defined As

Secondary deviance emerges when individuals begin to internalize a deviant label and subsequently organize their self-concept and behavior around that label. This internalization results in a shift from isolated acts of deviance to a more consistent pattern of behavior aligned with the deviant identity. Understanding this concept requires a deep dive into its origins, implications, and real-world applications.

Introduction to Secondary Deviance

Secondary deviance, a term coined by sociologist Edwin Lemert in 1951, represents a significant evolution in the study of deviance. Unlike primary deviance, which refers to initial acts of deviance that are often sporadic and do not fundamentally alter a person's self-concept, secondary deviance involves a more profound transformation. It is the stage where an individual acknowledges and accepts a deviant label, leading to a reorganization of their life around this new identity.

The core idea is that societal reaction to initial acts of deviance can inadvertently push individuals toward a more entrenched deviant lifestyle. This concept is a cornerstone of labeling theory, which emphasizes the role of social reactions in shaping deviant behavior.

Primary Deviance vs. Secondary Deviance

To fully grasp secondary deviance, it is essential to distinguish it from primary deviance:

• Primary Deviance:
  • Initial, often isolated acts of deviance.
  • Do not significantly impact an individual's self-concept.
  • Often rationalized or normalized by the individual.
  • May not result in a formal label or stigmatization.
• Secondary Deviance:
  • Deviance that occurs as a result of being labeled as deviant.
  • Leads to internalization of the deviant label.
  • Results in a reorganization of self-concept and behavior.
  • Often involves adopting a deviant role within society.

The Process of Secondary Deviance

The journey from primary deviance to secondary deviance is a complex process involving several key stages:

1. Initial Act of Deviance: This is the primary deviance—the original act that violates social norms. It could be anything from minor theft to experimenting with drugs.
2. Social Reaction: The reaction of society, including family, friends, and formal institutions like the police and courts, plays a crucial role. The severity and nature of this reaction can vary widely.
3. Labeling: The individual is labeled as deviant. This label can be formal (e.g., a criminal record) or informal (e.g., being known as a "troublemaker").
4. Internalization: The individual begins to internalize the deviant label, accepting it as part of their identity. This internalization is a critical turning point.
5. Reorganization of Self-Concept: The individual's self-concept and behavior begin to align with the deviant label. They may start to associate with other deviants, adopt deviant norms and values, and engage in further deviant behavior.

Key Factors Influencing Secondary Deviance

Several factors can influence whether an individual progresses from primary to secondary deviance:

• Severity of Social Reaction: The more severe the social reaction, the more likely the individual is to internalize the deviant label. Public shaming, ostracism, and harsh legal penalties can all contribute.
• Frequency of Interaction with the Justice System: Repeated interactions with the criminal justice system can reinforce the deviant label and make it harder for the individual to reintegrate into mainstream society.
• Availability of Legitimate Opportunities: If individuals are denied access to education, employment, and other legitimate opportunities due to their deviant label, they may have little choice but to embrace a deviant lifestyle.
• Social Support: Lack of social support from family and friends can exacerbate the effects of labeling and make it more difficult for individuals to resist the pull of secondary deviance.
• Personal Characteristics: Individual factors such as self-esteem, resilience, and pre-existing psychological issues can also play a role in how someone responds to being labeled as deviant.

Examples of Secondary Deviance

To illustrate the concept, consider these examples:

1. Juvenile Delinquency:
   • A teenager shoplifts (primary deviance).
   • They are caught, arrested, and labeled as a "juvenile delinquent."
   • Peers and family members begin to treat them differently.
   • Feeling alienated and stigmatized, the teenager starts associating with other delinquent youth.
   • They engage in more serious crimes, solidifying their identity as a delinquent (secondary deviance).
2. Mental Illness:
   • An individual experiences a mental health crisis (primary deviance).
   • They are hospitalized and diagnosed with a mental illness.
   • They are labeled as "mentally ill" by healthcare professionals and society.
   • This label affects their ability to find employment and maintain relationships.
   • Feeling isolated and hopeless, they may experience further mental health decline and adopt a sick role (secondary deviance).
3. Substance Abuse:
   • Someone experiments with drugs (primary deviance).
   • They are caught and labeled as a "drug user" or "addict."
   • They face discrimination and social stigma.
   • They may lose their job and relationships.
   • To cope with these challenges, they turn to drugs more frequently, reinforcing their identity as an addict (secondary deviance).
4. Criminal Behavior:
   • An individual commits a minor offense (primary deviance).
   • They are arrested and convicted, receiving a criminal record.
   • The criminal record makes it difficult to find employment and housing.
   • Feeling marginalized, they turn to crime as a means of survival, solidifying their identity as a criminal (secondary deviance).
5. Sex Work:
   • An individual engages in sex work for the first time due to economic hardship (primary deviance).
   • If they are caught, they may be labeled as a "prostitute" or "sex worker."
   • The stigma associated with this label can lead to social isolation and difficulty finding other forms of employment.
   • As a result, they may continue to engage in sex work to survive, internalizing the identity of a sex worker (secondary deviance).

The Impact of Labeling Theory

Secondary deviance is a central concept within labeling theory, which has had a profound impact on the study of deviance and crime. Labeling theory argues that deviance is not inherent in an act itself but is a result of how society labels and reacts to that act.

Key Tenets of Labeling Theory

1. Deviance is Socially Constructed: Behaviors are not inherently deviant; they become deviant when society defines them as such.
2. Labeling Creates Deviance: The act of labeling someone as deviant can lead to further deviance.
3. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: When individuals are labeled, they may begin to act in accordance with that label, fulfilling the prophecy.
4. Power Dynamics: Labeling is often influenced by power dynamics, with marginalized groups being more likely to be labeled as deviant.

Criticisms of Labeling Theory

While labeling theory has been influential, it has also faced criticism:

• Overemphasis on Social Reaction: Critics argue that labeling theory overemphasizes the role of social reaction and neglects the initial motivations and choices of individuals who engage in deviant behavior.
• Deterministic View: Some critics argue that labeling theory presents a deterministic view of deviance, suggesting that individuals have little agency in resisting the effects of labeling.
• Lack of Empirical Support: While there is some empirical support for labeling theory, other studies have found mixed or weak evidence.
• Ignoring Primary Deviance: Labeling theory tends to focus on secondary deviance and may not adequately address the factors that lead to primary deviance in the first place.

Policy Implications and Interventions

Understanding secondary deviance has important implications for policy and intervention strategies aimed at reducing crime and deviance.

Diversion Programs

Diversion programs aim to divert individuals away from the formal criminal justice system and into community-based treatment and support services. These programs can help prevent labeling and reduce the likelihood of secondary deviance.

Restorative Justice

Restorative justice focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime and reintegrating offenders back into the community. It involves bringing together victims, offenders, and community members to discuss the crime and develop a plan for making amends. This approach can reduce stigmatization and promote rehabilitation.

Decriminalization and Legalization

Decriminalizing or legalizing certain behaviors, such as drug use or prostitution, can reduce the number of people who are labeled as criminals and subject to the negative consequences of labeling.

Re-entry Programs

Re-entry programs provide support and resources to individuals who are released from prison, helping them find employment, housing, and social support. These programs can help prevent recidivism and reduce the likelihood of secondary deviance.

Challenging Stigma

Efforts to challenge stigma and promote understanding of mental illness, substance abuse, and other forms of deviance can help reduce the negative consequences of labeling and promote social inclusion.

The Role of Media

The media plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions of deviance and can contribute to the labeling process. Sensationalized reporting and the portrayal of certain groups as inherently deviant can reinforce stereotypes and increase stigmatization.

Media Literacy

Promoting media literacy can help individuals critically evaluate media messages and resist the influence of negative stereotypes.

Responsible Reporting

Encouraging responsible reporting that avoids sensationalism and focuses on the root causes of deviance can help reduce stigmatization and promote understanding.

Theoretical Perspectives on Deviance

Secondary deviance and labeling theory are part of a broader landscape of theoretical perspectives on deviance.

Functionalism

Functionalist theories of deviance, such as those developed by Émile Durkheim and Robert Merton, focus on the functions that deviance serves in society. Durkheim argued that deviance can reinforce social norms and promote social solidarity. Merton's strain theory suggests that deviance arises when individuals lack access to legitimate means of achieving socially approved goals.

Conflict Theory

Conflict theories of deviance, such as those developed by Karl Marx and his followers, emphasize the role of power and inequality in shaping definitions of deviance. Conflict theorists argue that the powerful define deviance in ways that protect their interests and maintain their dominance.

Social Control Theory

Social control theories, such as those developed by Travis Hirschi, focus on the factors that prevent individuals from engaging in deviance. Hirschi argued that strong social bonds—attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief—reduce the likelihood of deviance.

Differential Association Theory

Differential association theory, developed by Edwin Sutherland, suggests that deviance is learned through interaction with others. Individuals are more likely to engage in deviance if they associate with people who hold deviant values and attitudes.

Contemporary Applications

The concept of secondary deviance remains relevant in contemporary society, with applications in various fields:

Criminal Justice Reform

Understanding secondary deviance informs efforts to reform the criminal justice system and reduce the use of incarceration. Strategies such as diversion programs, restorative justice, and re-entry programs aim to break the cycle of labeling and prevent recidivism.

Mental Health Services

In mental health, recognizing the impact of stigma and labeling informs efforts to promote recovery and reduce discrimination. Programs that challenge stigma and promote social inclusion can help individuals with mental illness lead fulfilling lives.

Drug Policy

The concept of secondary deviance influences debates about drug policy, with some advocating for decriminalization or legalization to reduce the harms associated with labeling and criminalization.

Education

In education, understanding the impact of labeling on student achievement informs efforts to create inclusive and supportive learning environments. Teachers who are aware of the potential for labeling can avoid making negative assumptions about students and provide them with the support they need to succeed.

Future Directions

Future research on secondary deviance could explore several avenues:

Longitudinal Studies

Longitudinal studies that track individuals over time can provide more detailed insights into the process of secondary deviance and the factors that influence it.

Comparative Research

Comparative research that examines the impact of labeling in different cultural and social contexts can help identify universal patterns and context-specific factors.

Intersectionality

Research that incorporates an intersectional perspective, examining how factors such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation intersect to shape experiences of labeling and secondary deviance, can provide a more nuanced understanding of the phenomenon.

Intervention Research

Intervention research that evaluates the effectiveness of different strategies for preventing secondary deviance can help inform policy and practice.

Conclusion

Secondary deviance, as conceptualized by Edwin Lemert, offers a powerful lens through which to understand how societal reactions can shape and reinforce deviant behavior. By recognizing the role of labeling in creating and perpetuating deviance, we can develop more effective strategies for preventing crime, promoting rehabilitation, and fostering social inclusion. Understanding the transition from primary to secondary deviance highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of deviance, challenging stigma, and creating opportunities for individuals to reintegrate into mainstream society. The insights from labeling theory and the concept of secondary deviance continue to inform debates about criminal justice reform, mental health policy, and drug policy, underscoring the enduring relevance of this sociological perspective.

By focusing on the social processes that contribute to deviance, we can move beyond simplistic notions of individual pathology and work towards creating a more just and equitable society. The journey from primary deviance to secondary deviance is not inevitable; it is a pathway that can be disrupted through thoughtful interventions and a commitment to challenging the stigmas that perpetuate cycles of deviance. Through continued research, informed policy, and compassionate practice, we can create a world where individuals are not defined by their mistakes but are given the opportunity to thrive and contribute to their communities.