Sykes and Matza argue that secondary deviance refers to deviance committed in secondary groups.

Question

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Sykes and Matza actually argue that secondary deviance refers to the processes through which individuals who have committed primary deviance (such as a one-time drug offense) become labeled as deviant and then continue to engage in deviant behavior as a result of that labeling. This labeling can occur within primary groups as well as secondary groups. Sykes and Matza argue that secondary deviance refers to the way in which individuals who have already been labeled as deviant may embrace that identity and engage in further deviant behavior as a result. It is not specifically related to deviance committed in secondary groups.

Sykes and Matza Argue That Secondary Deviance Refers to Deviance