Labels are for Jars ... Not People .... (Sumblog9)

This past week, we discussed Erving Goffman’s concept of dramaturgy where society is framed as a theater with individuals presenting themselves differently based on situational factors - most importantly, audience expectations. There are routine behaviors which should be adhered to otherwise the audience will become confused, and each individual has a specific role to play in order for the performance to go off without a hitch. In a way, this seems similar to the idea of society as a mechanism and the individual as a cog in the machine.

We also talked about Labeling theory. Labeling theory focuses on the interactions between society and the individual and emphasizes the importance of societal reactions to deviant behavior. It is a process theory that attempts to explain how an individual comes to assume role that goes along with a deviant label. Self-labeling is when a person presents a certain identity in attempt to manage or manipulate other people’s impression of him/herself. This is one way the individual can attempt to regain a sense of control over their own identity, but it also illuminates the way the individual understands themselves, the world around them, and other people’s reaction to them.

I think labeling theory applies very well to my brother’s experience in the school system as he grew up. Very early on, he was labelled a “bad kid” essentially because he could easily be provoked into fighting. Several disciplinary actions had been taken against him by the school, and eventually he was segregated from the rest of his peers and required to take classes with LD and ED students. I believe my brother developed a self-fulfilling prophecy based on this deviant label, and he came to accept this role for a very long time. He continued to act out in school and break the law which resulted in a rap sheet that eventually barred him from joining the military.

I chose the following image because I think it humorously depicts the Power of Labels, and it shows how certain labels result in obstacles which can block an individual from getting somewhere or achieving something.