Labeling theory argues that deviance is a social construct. It emphasizes that no act is inherently deviant; rather, deviance is created when society labels certain behaviors as such. The theory examines how the process of social interaction and the application of labels can lead to the stigmatization of individuals and the reinforcement of deviant identities.

Howard Becker famously argued that deviance is not a quality of the act the person commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an 'offender'. He stated that deviant behavior is simply behavior that people so label. This perspective shifts the focus from the individual's actions to the social process of defining and reacting to those actions, highlighting the subjective nature of deviance.

Labeling theory posits that deviance and illness are not inherent qualities of an act or condition but are labels applied by society. According to this perspective, how individuals experience their health and how society labels those experiences determines whether a condition is treated as an illness or a normal variation of life.

Labeling theory emphasizes that deviance is not an inherent quality of an act, but a consequence of the application of rules and sanctions by others. The ability to define certain behaviors as deviant and to enforce those labels on others is a reflection of social power. Those with more power in society are better positioned to define the norms and to label the behavior of less powerful groups as deviant, thereby maintaining social control.

Secondary deviation occurs when an individual internalizes a deviant label applied by society. This label influences their self-concept and future behavior, often leading to further deviant acts as the individual adopts the deviant role. It encompasses the reaction, the stigma, and the subsequent behavioral changes.

Labelling theory emphasizes that deviance is a social construct created through interaction. It suggests that no behavior is inherently deviant; rather, it becomes deviant when society labels it as such. This process highlights how power dynamics and social reactions shape the identities of individuals, often leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy where the labeled person adopts the deviant identity assigned to them by others.

Secondary deviance occurs when an individual internalizes a deviant label applied by society. This process involves the social reaction to an initial act, the stigmatization of the individual, and the subsequent adoption of a deviant identity, which then influences the individual's future behavior and social interactions, creating a cycle of deviance.

Labeling theory posits that self-identity and the behavior of individuals may be determined or influenced by the terms used to describe or classify them. While Howard Becker is also famously associated with this theory, Edwin Lemert is recognized for his foundational contributions, specifically distinguishing between primary and secondary deviance.

Labeling theory posits that deviance is not an inherent quality of an act, but rather a result of how society reacts to and labels that act. When individuals are labeled as deviant by authority figures or the public, this label can become a master status, influencing their self-identity and future behavior, often leading to further deviance.

Howard Becker, a key figure in labeling theory, argued that drug use is not merely a psychological or physiological phenomenon but a social one. He described a 'deviant career' where individuals learn to use cannabis through social interaction. This process involves learning the techniques of consumption, identifying the effects, and learning to interpret those effects as pleasurable within a social group, thereby normalizing the behavior over time.