SCHOLAR: THE PAIN OF LABELLING

A theory which attempts to exhort power over another is the concept of, “labelling.”  In this theory I will refer to each as either the labeler or the labeled.  The labeler attempts to gain power over the labeled in the sense that the labeler defines the labeled in such a way that that person is deviant or criminal.  This, “label,” causes the labeled to feel shame therefore inflicting pain or suffering.  The label can change a person’s life path because the labeled will negotiate with one’s self, according to the label.  The formal process by which labelling occurs is as follows, the labeler labels the labeled, the labeled than becomes stigmatized, he or she then negotiates with him/ herself, causing changes to the self-identity, and finally the new identity is then created.  There are two types of labelling that occur one is the informal method which essentially is social stigmatization and the second referred to as formal, which is institutionalized labelling.  In society things are perceived as, “good,” or “bad,” and this is done through a concept referred to as consensus theory.  The consensus theory explains that the majority subscribes to certain actions which can either be deviant or criminal.  Primary deviance is the deviant action whereas secondary deviance is the societal response to the action being considered deviant.  

This response is through deterrence such as but not limited to sanctions or penalties etc.  As mentioned, actions are either, “right,” or “wrong,” this is what is referred to as moral relativism.  Whereas moral absolutism labels things as inherently, “good,” or “bad.”  Furthermore, deontological thinking labels things as inherently, “good,” or “bad.”  Lastly, consequentialism states that a certain action is “good,” or “bad,” because of another action.  Some argue that labelling causes what is referred to as, “net widening.”  This is where the label causes more harm than good.  An example can include the labeling of the labeling of illegalized drugs causes more crime.  Attempts by the society to reduce labelling include decriminalization or deinstitutionalization. I would just like to brief on the concept of shaming as it is very important to the idea of labelling.  There are two types of shamming the first is disintegrative which evidently means stigmatization.  The next is integrative shaming which attempts to rectify the persons circumstance that he or she can become interdependent with the community or experience a sense of communitarianism.  In modern day society this occurs through restorative justice wherein the criminal is rehabilitated with the victim so that they can find a method whereby they both experience resolution.  As you can see labelling causes many implications in our society, it is necessary to be very cautious when even attempting to label another as there are implications which could cause irreputable harm.