ABSTRACT
In the twentieth century the history of criminological theory has been one of competing theoretical perspectives. Labeling theory represents for criminological thought a major school of social thought—symbolic interactionism. In one of the most thoughtful discussions of the origins of human behavior, Leslie White observed, “In the word was the beginning, the beginning of man and of culture”. The recent advances made in the development and testing of labeling or as it is increasingly referred to today the deviance amplification hypothesis may be divided into three different approaches. Finally, advances in labeling theory must provide more information on the process by which informal and/or formal labels actually effect delinquent or criminal behavior. It is the importance that the people wish to encourage other criminologists to consider and, in so doing, to begin to develop a better understanding of crime, delinquency and their prevention and control.
