Supporting Theory - Edwin Lemert

• Edwin Lemert


  Constructed the idea that there are two specific types of deviance: Primary deviance and Secondary deviance.
• Primary and Secondary deviance

  Primary Deviance - An act that has not been socially labelled as deviant.

  Secondary Deviance - An act that has been labelled as deviant.
• Once a behaviour or act has been labelled as deviant, the deviant person starts to view themselves as deviant.

  > This is called the ‘Master Status’ and can lead to the self-fulfilling prophecy.
• How does the media contribute to this?

  1. The media labels people, creating ‘moral panic’ with many becoming ‘folk devils’, which marginalises and alienates them.
  2. The process is called the ’Deviance Amplification‘ and this creates stereotypes of individuals.