ABSTRACT
L Labelling Labelling theory, though Becker correctly denies that work in this area has the achievements or faces the obligations of 'theory', calls attention, within an interactionist framework, to the contribution that those other than the identified deviant make to the genesis and amplification of deviant acts and deviant careers. Obviously if we had no labels at all life would consist of bumping into 'things', but labelling theorists direct attention to 'name-calling', usually of an unfavourable kind, to orientation and activity towards the other on the basis of the name, and to the person's own assimilation of the name as part of his identity. Social policy has often categorised people on the basis of labels which were supposed to indicate special treatment of some kind: the effects of this have not always been beneficial, though they may have been farreaching. Social workers are often at the point at which 'labels' (psychopath, disturbed, dangerous) are determined and applied or, in Lemert's terms, when primary deviation is publicly acknowledged and treated and hence becomes secondary. Becker, H. (1974) 'Labelling Theory Reconsidered', in Deviance and
Social Control, ed. P. Rock and M. McIntosh, Tavistock. Lemert, E. (1967) Human Deviance, Social Problems and Social
Control, Prentice-Hall. Plummer, K. (1979) 'Misunderstanding Labelling Perspectives', in
Deviant Interpretations, ed. D. Downes and P. Rock, Martin Robertson.
