Jared is dared by some of his friends to steal a candy bar from the store. He has never stolen before, and doesn't see himself as a thief. Because he wants acceptance from his friends, he takes the candy bar. He isn't caught and doesn't steal again. What kind of deviance would a labeling theorist say he engaged in?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Primary deviance refers to minor, usually temporary acts of deviance that do not result in the individual being labeled as a deviant by society. Jared's act of stealing a candy bar, especially since it's a one-time action motivated by peer pressure and he doesn't continue this behavior, fits the definition of primary deviance.

Jared Is Dared by Some of His Friends to Steal