Secondary deviance is rule-breaking that follows from a person taking on a deviant label and reorganising their identity around it. It contrasts with primary deviance, the first act, which leaves self-image largely untouched. Sociologist Edwin Lemert set out the distinction in Social Pathology (1951), and it became a cornerstone of labeling theory.
How it works
Where you see it today
A panel study of urban males found that official intervention in adolescence raised involvement in crime in early adulthood, partly by lowering educational attainment and employment (Bernburg and Krohn, 2003). The label worked through blocked opportunities, as Lemert’s account predicts.
A related study found that juvenile justice intervention increased later serious delinquency through involvement with street gangs and delinquent peers (Bernburg, Krohn and Rivera, 2006). The label pushed young people toward the groups that confirmed it.
Predictive policing tools can fall into runaway feedback loops: officers are sent to the same neighbourhoods, find more incidents there, and the data then sends them back again (Ensign et al., 2017). It is a machine version of a label producing the evidence for itself.
Teams label projects and people too. One failed AI pilot can turn into “AI doesn’t work here”, after which the best people avoid the topic and later efforts are under-resourced, which makes the label look right. Judging the specific failure, not the label, keeps options open.
Secondary deviance and related ideas
How to use it
- Separate the act from the person in reviews: describe what happened, not what someone is.
- Limit how long and how widely a negative record travels; expire flags that no longer predict anything.
- Audit any scoring or risk model for feedback loops: check whether its outputs decide where new data is collected.
- After a failed project, write down the specific cause before anyone writes a slogan about it.
- Give a clear path back: a defined way for a person or team to clear a label speeds recovery.
Organisations attach labels to technologies as well as people, and a label like “AI failed here” can shape years of investment. The Business Engineer’s FRED test asks what actually fits each industry, so decisions rest on the specific evidence rather than the label.
Read: The FRED Test: Industry-by-Industry Analysis โExplore the platform โRelated: Labeling theory ยท Primary deviance ยท Self-fulfilling prophecy ยท Pygmalion effect ยท Confirmation bias
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between primary and secondary deviance?
Primary deviance is an initial act that does not change how a person sees themselves; secondary deviance is rule-breaking that follows from accepting a deviant label as part of one's identity.
Who developed the concept of secondary deviance?
Sociologist Edwin Lemert introduced the primary and secondary distinction in Social Pathology (1951) and developed it further in later work.
Is there evidence that labels increase deviance?
Panel studies have found that official intervention in adolescence is linked to more crime later, partly through reduced schooling and employment and through ties to delinquent peers.
How does secondary deviance apply to AI systems?
Models that decide where data is collected, such as predictive policing tools, can confirm their own labels through feedback loops, much as social labels can.
Sources
- Rosenberg (2010), Lemert, Edwin M.: Primary and Secondary Deviance, Encyclopedia of Criminological Theory, SAGE
- Bernburg & Krohn (2003), Labeling, life chances, and adult crime, Criminology
- Bernburg, Krohn & Rivera (2006), Official labeling, criminal embeddedness, and subsequent delinquency, Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency
- Ensign et al. (2017), Runaway Feedback Loops in Predictive Policing, arXiv
The full guide
The complete explainer, cleaned up and reformatted for mobile.
In the realm of sociology and criminology, the concept of secondary deviance plays a crucial role in explaining the processes through which individuals become entrenched in a life of crime or deviant behavior. This phenomenon sheds light on the social and psychological factors that contribute to individuals persistently engaging in acts that deviate from societal norms.
Defining Secondary Deviance
Primary Deviance vs. Secondary Deviance
To comprehend secondary deviance fully, it is essential to distinguish it from primary deviance. Primary deviance refers to the initial act of deviating from societal norms, which may involve actions such as petty theft, underage drinking, or truancy. At this stage, individuals often view their actions as isolated incidents, potentially influenced by external factors or personal circumstances.
The Transition to Secondary Deviance
Secondary deviance, on the other hand, marks the subsequent stages where individuals become further embroiled in deviant behavior. It is characterized by a shift in self-perception, as individuals begin to identify themselves as deviants. They may rationalize their actions and seek out deviant subcultures or peer groups that reinforce their newfound identity.
Causes of Secondary Deviance
Social Labeling Theory
One prominent theory that helps explain the emergence of secondary deviance is the Social Labeling Theory. This theory posits that societal reactions to primary deviance significantly influence an individual’s trajectory toward secondary deviance. When society labels an individual as a deviant or criminal based on their initial actions, it can create a self-fulfilling prophecy. The individual internalizes this label, leading to a reinforcement of deviant behavior.
Stigmatization
Stigmatization plays a pivotal role in the escalation of secondary deviance. Once an individual is stigmatized, they often face discrimination, exclusion, and limited opportunities in society. This marginalization can push them further towards deviant behavior as they seek alternative means of social integration within deviant subcultures that accept them.
Subcultural Influence
Secondary deviance can also be fueled by subcultural influence. Deviant subcultures provide a sense of belonging and acceptance that individuals may not find in conventional society. These subcultures often have their own norms, values, and expectations that encourage and validate deviant behavior.
Consequences of Secondary Deviance
Criminalization and Legal Consequences
One of the immediate consequences of secondary deviance is the increased likelihood of encountering the criminal justice system. As individuals become more deeply involved in deviant activities, they are at a higher risk of arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment. This can result in a cycle of criminalization, where individuals continue to engage in deviance due to their criminal record and limited opportunities for legal employment.
Strain on Social Relationships
Secondary deviance can strain social relationships, as family members and friends may distance themselves from the individual involved in persistent deviant behavior. Trust may erode, and support networks may weaken, leaving the individual more reliant on deviant subcultures for social interaction.
Psychological Consequences
The psychological consequences of secondary deviance can be profound. Individuals may experience increased stress, anxiety, and a sense of hopelessness as they grapple โ as explored in the interface layer wars reshaping consumer tech โ with the stigma attached to their deviant identity. Additionally, the constant engagement in deviant behavior can desensitize individuals to the moral and ethical implications of their actions.
The Role of Labeling and Stigmatization
Labeling as a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Labeling and stigmatization are pivotal in the process of secondary deviance. When an individual is labeled as deviant, they often internalize this label, leading them to perceive themselves as deviants. This self-concept can drive further deviant behavior, as the individual’s actions align with the label they have adopted.
Labelling and the Spiral of Deviance
The Spiral of Deviance is a concept that describes how the labeling of an individual as deviant can propel them further into deviant behavior. As society reacts to an individual’s primary deviance with labeling and stigmatization, the individual may respond by engaging in more deviant acts. This, in turn, elicits stronger societal reactions, creating a feedback loop that reinforces deviance.
Preventing and Addressing Secondary Deviance
Rehabilitation Programs
Efforts to address secondary deviance often focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Rehabilitation programs aim to help individuals reintegrate into society and provide them with the necessary skills and support to lead a law-abiding life. These programs may include counseling, job training, and educational opportunities.
Community Support
Community support plays a vital role in preventing secondary deviance. Strong community networks can provide a sense of belonging and acceptance that can deter individuals from seeking validation in deviant subcultures. Moreover, community-based organizations can offer resources and assistance to those at risk of secondary deviance.
Reducing Stigmatization
Reducing stigmatization is another crucial aspect of addressing secondary deviance. Society must work to reduce the stigma associated with deviant behavior and provide opportunities for individuals to reintegrate into mainstream society without the burden of their deviant label. This may involve changes in policies and attitudes towards ex-convicts and individuals with criminal records.
Conclusion
Secondary deviance is a complex phenomenon that highlights the transformative power of societal reactions and labeling on an individual’s path toward persistent deviant behavior. Understanding the causes and consequences of secondary deviance is essential for developing effective strategies to prevent and address this issue. By focusing on rehabilitation, community support, and reducing stigmatization, society can work towards breaking the cycle of secondary deviance and promoting the reintegration of individuals into law-abiding lives.
Key Highlights
- Introduction:
- Secondary deviance: persistent engagement in deviant behavior following primary deviance.
- Highlights social and psychological factors influencing deviant behavior.
- Primary Deviance vs. Secondary Deviance:
- Primary deviance: initial deviation from societal norms, often seen as isolated incidents.
- Secondary deviance: further involvement in deviant behavior, marked by self-identification as a deviant.
- Causes of Secondary Deviance:
- Social Labeling Theory: societal reactions reinforce deviant identity.
- Stigmatization: marginalization pushes individuals towards deviant subcultures.
- Subcultural influence: deviant groups provide acceptance and validation.
- Consequences of Secondary Deviance:
- Criminalization: increased likelihood of legal consequences.
- Strained relationships: erosion of trust and support networks.
- Psychological impact: stress, anxiety, and desensitization to moral implications.
- Role of Labeling and Stigmatization:
- Labeling as a self-fulfilling prophecy: individuals internalize deviant labels.
- Spiral of Deviance: societal reactions reinforce deviant behavior.
- Preventing and Addressing Secondary Deviance:
- Rehabilitation programs: focus on reintegration and skill-building.
- Community support: provide belonging and assistance.
- Reducing stigmatization: change policies and attitudes towards deviant individuals.
- Conclusion:
- Understanding secondary deviance aids in developing prevention and intervention strategies.
- Rehabilitation, community support, and stigma reduction are key approaches to address secondary deviance.
