The Term Secondary Deviance Can Be Defined As:

The term secondary deviance can be defined as a process that unfolds when an individual who has already engaged in primary deviance—initial acts of rule-breaking that may be minor or go unnoticed—experiences a change in self-concept and behavior due to societal reactions to their primary deviance. This reaction often takes the form of labeling, stigmatization, and exclusion, pushing the individual further into deviant behavior as a means of adapting to their new social identity.

Understanding Deviance: Primary vs. Secondary

To fully grasp the concept of secondary deviance, it's crucial to differentiate it from primary deviance.

Primary deviance refers to the initial acts of deviance that individuals commit without internalizing a deviant identity. These acts might be occasional, situational, or even accidental. For example, a teenager might shoplift a candy bar on a dare, or a student might cheat on a test due to overwhelming pressure. In these instances, the individuals do not necessarily view themselves as "thieves" or "cheaters," and their self-concept remains largely unaffected.
Secondary deviance, on the other hand, emerges as a consequence of societal reactions to primary deviance. When an individual is labeled as deviant, they may begin to internalize this label and reorganize their behavior around it. This process involves a shift in self-identity, where the individual starts to see themselves as deviant and acts accordingly.

The Labeling Theory Perspective

The concept of secondary deviance is deeply rooted in labeling theory, a sociological perspective that emphasizes the role of social reactions in shaping deviant behavior. Labeling theory argues that deviance is not an inherent quality of an act but rather a consequence of the application of rules and sanctions to an offender.

Key Principles of Labeling Theory:

Deviance is socially constructed: Behaviors are not inherently deviant; they become deviant when society defines them as such.
Labeling influences self-concept: When individuals are labeled as deviant, they may internalize this label and develop a deviant self-concept.
Labels can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies: Once labeled, individuals may be treated differently, which can lead them to engage in further deviance, confirming the initial label.
Social reactions matter: The way society reacts to deviance can have a profound impact on the individual's future behavior.

How Labeling Leads to Secondary Deviance

The process by which labeling leads to secondary deviance can be broken down into several stages:

Primary deviance: An individual commits an initial act of deviance.
Social reaction: The act is detected, and the individual is labeled as deviant. This label can come from formal sources, such as the criminal justice system, or informal sources, such as family, friends, and community members.
Internalization of the label: The individual begins to internalize the label and see themselves as deviant. This can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and alienation.
Secondary deviance: The individual engages in further deviance as a way of adapting to their new identity and the social consequences of being labeled. This may involve joining deviant subcultures, adopting deviant lifestyles, or engaging in criminal behavior.

The Impact of Stigma

Stigma plays a significant role in the development of secondary deviance. Stigma refers to the negative social label that alters a person's self-concept and social identity. When an individual is stigmatized, they may experience discrimination, exclusion, and social isolation.

How Stigma Contributes to Secondary Deviance:

Limited opportunities: Stigmatized individuals may face barriers to employment, education, and housing, making it difficult for them to reintegrate into mainstream society.
Social isolation: Stigma can lead to social isolation, as others may avoid or reject the stigmatized individual. This can create a sense of loneliness and alienation, increasing the likelihood of further deviance.
Deviant subcultures: Stigmatized individuals may seek out other individuals who have been similarly labeled, forming deviant subcultures that provide support, validation, and opportunities for further deviance.
Erosion of self-esteem: Stigma can erode an individual's self-esteem, leading to feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. This can make them more likely to engage in self-destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse or suicide.

Examples of Secondary Deviance

Secondary deviance can manifest in various forms, depending on the nature of the initial deviance, the social context, and the individual's personal characteristics. Here are a few examples:

Criminal Justice System: An individual is arrested for a minor offense, such as possession of marijuana. As a result, they are labeled as a "criminal" and experience difficulty finding employment. Unable to secure legitimate work, they turn to drug dealing to support themselves, thus engaging in secondary deviance.
Mental Illness: A person is diagnosed with a mental illness, such as schizophrenia. They are stigmatized by society and experience discrimination in housing and employment. Feeling isolated and hopeless, they stop taking their medication and their symptoms worsen, leading to further deviance.
Juvenile Delinquency: A teenager is caught vandalizing property. They are labeled as a "troublemaker" by their school and community. As a result, they are excluded from extracurricular activities and social events. Feeling rejected and alienated, they join a gang and engage in more serious delinquent behavior.
Substance Abuse: An individual develops a problem with alcohol or drugs. They are labeled as an "addict" and experience shame and guilt. They lose their job, their family relationships deteriorate, and they become homeless. Desperate to escape their situation, they continue to use drugs, engaging in further deviance.

Consequences of Secondary Deviance

Secondary deviance can have significant consequences for individuals, communities, and society as a whole.

Individual Consequences:

Entrenchment in deviance: Secondary deviance can lead to a cycle of deviance, where the individual becomes increasingly involved in deviant behavior and finds it difficult to escape.
Erosion of social bonds: Secondary deviance can weaken an individual's ties to conventional society, making it harder for them to reintegrate into mainstream social life.
Increased risk of victimization: Individuals who engage in secondary deviance are more likely to become victims of crime and violence.
Mental health problems: Secondary deviance can contribute to mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

Community Consequences:

Increased crime rates: Secondary deviance can lead to higher crime rates in communities, as individuals become more involved in criminal behavior.
Social disorder: Secondary deviance can contribute to social disorder, as individuals challenge social norms and engage in disruptive behavior.
Strain on social services: Secondary deviance can place a strain on social services, such as the criminal justice system, mental health services, and welfare programs.
Erosion of trust: Secondary deviance can erode trust in communities, as people become more fearful and suspicious of others.

Societal Consequences:

Increased costs: Secondary deviance can lead to increased costs for society, as resources are devoted to dealing with the consequences of deviance, such as crime, substance abuse, and mental illness.
Social inequality: Secondary deviance can exacerbate social inequality, as marginalized groups are more likely to be labeled as deviant and experience the negative consequences of labeling.
Erosion of social cohesion: Secondary deviance can erode social cohesion, as individuals become more divided and polarized along lines of deviance.
Challenge to social norms: Secondary deviance can challenge social norms and values, leading to social change and conflict.

Criticisms of Labeling Theory

While labeling theory provides valuable insights into the social construction of deviance and the role of social reactions in shaping deviant behavior, it has also been subject to criticism.

Common Criticisms:

Overemphasis on social reactions: Critics argue that labeling theory overemphasizes the role of social reactions in shaping deviance and neglects the importance of individual factors, such as personality, motivation, and opportunity.
Ignoring primary deviance: Some critics argue that labeling theory does not adequately explain why individuals engage in primary deviance in the first place.
Deterministic view of labeling: Critics argue that labeling theory presents a deterministic view of labeling, suggesting that once an individual is labeled, they are inevitably destined to engage in secondary deviance.
Lack of empirical support: Some critics argue that there is limited empirical support for the core assumptions of labeling theory.
Ignoring power dynamics: Critics argue that labeling theory does not adequately address the role of power dynamics in the labeling process, as certain groups are more likely to be labeled as deviant than others.

Policy Implications of Labeling Theory

Despite its criticisms, labeling theory has had a significant impact on social policy, particularly in the areas of criminal justice and mental health.

Policy Implications:

Diversion programs: Labeling theory has influenced the development of diversion programs, which aim to divert individuals away from the criminal justice system and into alternative forms of treatment and rehabilitation.
Decriminalization: Labeling theory has supported efforts to decriminalize certain behaviors, such as marijuana use, in order to reduce the stigma associated with these behaviors and minimize the risk of secondary deviance.
Restorative justice: Labeling theory has informed the development of restorative justice programs, which focus on repairing the harm caused by crime and reintegrating offenders into the community.
Mental health reform: Labeling theory has contributed to mental health reform efforts, which aim to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and promote access to effective treatment and support services.

Theoretical Extensions and Related Concepts

The concept of secondary deviance has been further developed and refined by subsequent sociological research. Here are some related concepts and theoretical extensions:

Master status: A master status is a social position that is so central to an individual's identity that it overshadows other statuses. When an individual is labeled as deviant, this label can become a master status, shaping how others perceive and treat them.
Deviant career: A deviant career refers to the progression of an individual's involvement in deviant behavior over time. Secondary deviance can be seen as a stage in a deviant career, where the individual becomes increasingly committed to a deviant lifestyle.
Moral entrepreneurs: Moral entrepreneurs are individuals or groups who actively work to define and label certain behaviors as deviant. They play a key role in shaping public opinion and influencing social policy.
Net-widening: Net-widening refers to the phenomenon where diversion programs and other alternative sanctions end up bringing more individuals under the control of the criminal justice system than would have been the case otherwise.

Contemporary Relevance

The concept of secondary deviance remains highly relevant in contemporary society, particularly in the context of social media, online shaming, and the criminal justice system.

Social Media and Online Shaming

Social media has amplified the potential for labeling and stigmatization, as individuals can be quickly and easily shamed and ostracized for their behavior. Online shaming can lead to secondary deviance, as individuals who are publicly humiliated may experience feelings of isolation, shame, and anger, leading them to engage in further deviant behavior.

Criminal Justice System and Re-entry

The criminal justice system continues to play a significant role in the labeling process, as individuals who are arrested, convicted, and incarcerated often face significant barriers to re-entry into society. The stigma associated with a criminal record can make it difficult for individuals to find employment, housing, and social support, increasing the likelihood of recidivism.

Mental Health and Stigma

Despite progress in reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, individuals with mental health conditions continue to face discrimination and prejudice. This stigma can lead to secondary deviance, as individuals may avoid seeking treatment, isolate themselves from others, and engage in self-destructive behaviors.

Conclusion

Secondary deviance is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that highlights the crucial role of social reactions in shaping deviant behavior. Rooted in labeling theory, it underscores how societal responses to initial acts of deviance can inadvertently push individuals further into a cycle of rule-breaking. By understanding the mechanisms through which labeling, stigma, and social exclusion operate, we can develop more effective strategies for preventing deviance, promoting social inclusion, and fostering a more just and equitable society. Recognizing the potential for negative labeling and working towards reducing stigma in various spheres of life, from criminal justice to mental health, is essential for creating a more supportive environment that encourages rehabilitation and reintegration rather than perpetuating cycles of deviance.