A young boy who has never committed a crime is often called "criminal" because of his looks,attitude,and lack of interpersonal skills.His classmates and teachers consider him to be a bad seed who is more likely to commit serious crimes.As a result of this societal condemnation,the boy begins to commit minor offenses and slowly moves toward committing serious crimes.The boy has experienced a process called:
A)tagging.
B)innovation.
C)labeling.
D)conformism.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scenario describes a situation where the boy is labeled as a "criminal" by his peers and teachers, despite never having committed a crime. This labeling can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy where the boy internalizes the label and begins to act in ways that align with it. This process is known as labeling theory. Option A, tagging, refers to when individuals apply a label to themselves, such as a political activist or an athlete. Option B, innovation, refers to the process of using unconventional means to achieve goals. Option D, conformism, is the act of following societal norms and expectations.

A Young Boy Who Has Never Committed a Crime Is