Edwin Lemert

Definition

Edwin Lemert was a pioneering sociologist who introduced the concepts of primary and secondary deviance in the study of crime and delinquency, emphasizing the role of societal reactions in the development of deviant identity. His work laid foundational ideas in the labeling theory within sociology, which examines how the labels people are given affect their behavior and identity.

Related terms

Primary Deviance:

The initial act of rule breaking or deviant behavior before it is publicly labeled as such.

Secondary Deviance:

The process by which an individual adopts a deviant identity due to societal reactions and labels, often leading to further deviance.

Labeling Theory:

A sociological perspective that explores how the labels assigned to individuals influence their behavior and how they are perceived by society