The Term Secondary Deviance Can Be Defined As:

Secondary deviance is a concept that delves into the profound impact of societal reactions on an individual's behavior and self-perception, going beyond the initial act of deviance itself. It explores how labeling and the subsequent social stigma can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, solidifying deviant behavior as part of a person's identity.

Understanding Primary Deviance

Before diving into the intricacies of secondary deviance, it's crucial to understand its precursor: primary deviance.

Primary deviance refers to the initial act or acts of deviance that an individual commits. These acts may stem from various factors, such as curiosity, experimentation, or situational pressures. Crucially, primary deviance is often temporary, sporadic, and does not significantly affect a person's self-concept or social roles.
Think of a teenager shoplifting a candy bar on a dare. This isolated incident, driven by peer pressure, doesn't necessarily define the teenager as a "thief." They may feel remorseful, learn from the experience, and never repeat the act. This would be considered primary deviance.
Key Characteristics of Primary Deviance:
- Occasional or situational.
- Does not significantly alter self-concept.
- Individual does not identify as deviant.
- Often goes unnoticed or is easily rationalized.

The Genesis of Secondary Deviance

Secondary deviance emerges when societal reactions to primary deviance lead to a significant shift in an individual's self-perception and behavior. This process often unfolds as follows:

Act of Primary Deviance: An individual commits an act that is considered deviant by society.
Social Reaction and Labeling: This act is noticed, and the individual is labeled as a "deviant" or assigned a stigmatizing label (e.g., "troublemaker," "addict," "criminal").
Internalization of the Label: The individual begins to internalize this label, seeing themselves as the person society has defined them to be.
Changes in Behavior: As the individual embraces the deviant label, their behavior starts to align with the expectations associated with that label. They may engage in further deviant acts, strengthening their deviant identity.
Secondary Deviance: This cycle of labeling, internalization, and behavioral reinforcement leads to secondary deviance – a pattern of deviant behavior that is a direct result of societal reaction and the adoption of a deviant identity.

The Core Definition of Secondary Deviance

The term secondary deviance can be defined as: deviant behavior that results from being publicly labeled as deviant and treated as an outsider. It is a consequence of the social reaction to primary deviance, where the individual internalizes the label and reorganizes their behavior and self-concept around that label.

Key Elements of Secondary Deviance

Several key elements contribute to the development and perpetuation of secondary deviance:

Labeling: The act of assigning a deviant label to an individual is the cornerstone of secondary deviance. This label can come from formal sources like the criminal justice system or informal sources like family, friends, and community members.
Stigma: A stigma is a negative social label that devalues an individual and marks them as different from others. Stigma can lead to discrimination, social exclusion, and reduced opportunities.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: The concept of a self-fulfilling prophecy plays a crucial role in secondary deviance. When individuals are labeled as deviant, they may begin to act in ways that conform to that label, thereby fulfilling the expectations of others.
Master Status: A master status is a social position that dominates all other aspects of an individual's identity. When an individual is labeled as deviant, that label can become their master status, overshadowing their other roles and identities.
Social Exclusion: Individuals labeled as deviant often face social exclusion, meaning they are denied opportunities and resources available to others. This exclusion can further reinforce their deviant behavior and identity.

Examples of Secondary Deviance in Action

To illustrate the concept of secondary deviance, consider the following examples:

Juvenile Delinquency: A teenager commits a minor act of vandalism (primary deviance). They are caught, arrested, and labeled as a "juvenile delinquent." This label leads to social stigma, exclusion from school activities, and negative interactions with law enforcement. As a result, the teenager internalizes the "delinquent" label and begins to associate with other delinquent youth, engaging in more serious crimes (secondary deviance).
Mental Illness: An individual experiences a period of depression (primary deviance). They seek treatment and are diagnosed with a mental illness. This diagnosis carries a social stigma, leading to discrimination in employment and social relationships. The individual internalizes the "mentally ill" label and begins to withdraw from society, further isolating themselves and exacerbating their symptoms (secondary deviance).
Substance Abuse: A person experiments with drugs (primary deviance). They are caught and labeled as an "addict." This label leads to social ostracism, difficulty finding employment, and strained family relationships. The individual internalizes the "addict" label and continues to use drugs as a way to cope with the negative consequences of their label (secondary deviance).
Criminal Justice System: An individual commits a non-violent crime (primary deviance) and is incarcerated. The experience of imprisonment, coupled with the label of "ex-convict," makes it difficult to reintegrate into society after release. They face discrimination in housing and employment, leading to financial instability and social isolation. As a result, they may resort to criminal activity to survive, perpetuating a cycle of re-offending (secondary deviance).

The Sociological Significance of Secondary Deviance

The concept of secondary deviance is a cornerstone of labeling theory, a sociological perspective that emphasizes the role of social reactions in shaping deviant behavior. Labeling theory argues that deviance is not an inherent quality of an act but rather a consequence of the application of rules and sanctions to an offender.

Secondary deviance highlights the following important sociological insights:

Deviance is socially constructed: What is considered deviant varies across cultures and time periods. Society defines what is considered normal and acceptable behavior, and those who deviate from these norms are labeled as deviant.
Power dynamics influence labeling: Certain groups in society have more power to define what is deviant and to apply labels to others. This can lead to the disproportionate labeling and punishment of marginalized groups.
Social reactions can exacerbate deviance: Rather than deterring deviant behavior, social reactions can sometimes exacerbate it by leading to secondary deviance. This highlights the importance of considering the unintended consequences of social control policies.
Focus on the process of deviance: Labeling theory shifts the focus from the individual deviant to the social processes that contribute to the creation and maintenance of deviance. This includes the role of law enforcement, the media, and other social institutions.

Criticisms of Labeling Theory and Secondary Deviance

While labeling theory and the concept of secondary deviance have made significant contributions to our understanding of deviance, they have also faced criticisms:

Overemphasis on social reaction: Critics argue that labeling theory overemphasizes the role of social reaction in shaping deviant behavior and neglects the individual factors that may contribute to deviance. Some individuals may be predisposed to deviance regardless of whether they are labeled or not.
Ignoring primary deviance: Labeling theory has been criticized for downplaying the importance of primary deviance. Critics argue that individuals engage in deviant acts for various reasons, and labeling is not always the primary cause of their behavior.
Deterministic view of deviance: Some critics argue that labeling theory presents a deterministic view of deviance, suggesting that once an individual is labeled, they are inevitably destined to engage in further deviant behavior. However, individuals can resist labeling and challenge the negative stereotypes associated with deviance.
Lack of empirical support: Some studies have failed to find strong empirical support for the claims of labeling theory. It can be difficult to isolate the effects of labeling from other factors that may contribute to deviance.
Focus on minor deviance: Labeling theory has been criticized for focusing primarily on minor forms of deviance and neglecting more serious forms of crime. It may be more applicable to understanding the development of petty crime or drug use than to explaining violent offenses.

Mitigating the Effects of Secondary Deviance

Given the potential for secondary deviance to exacerbate deviant behavior, it is crucial to develop strategies for mitigating its effects:

Diversion programs: These programs aim to divert individuals away from the formal criminal justice system and into community-based treatment and support services. This can help to avoid the stigmatizing effects of labeling and incarceration.
Restorative justice: Restorative justice approaches focus on repairing the harm caused by crime and involving victims, offenders, and community members in the process. This can help to reduce the stigma associated with crime and promote reconciliation.
Decriminalization: Decriminalizing certain behaviors, such as marijuana use, can reduce the number of individuals who are labeled as criminals and subjected to the negative consequences of the criminal justice system.
Challenging stigma: Public education campaigns can help to challenge the stigma associated with mental illness, substance abuse, and other forms of deviance. This can create a more accepting and supportive environment for individuals who are struggling.
Providing opportunities: Providing individuals who have been labeled as deviant with opportunities for education, employment, and housing can help them to reintegrate into society and break the cycle of deviance.
Promoting positive identity: Encouraging individuals to develop positive self-identities and to focus on their strengths and abilities can help them to resist the negative effects of labeling.
Early intervention: Identifying and addressing risk factors for deviance early in life can help to prevent primary deviance from escalating into secondary deviance. This includes providing support for families, schools, and communities.

Secondary Deviance vs. Tertiary Deviance

While secondary deviance focuses on internalizing a negative label and acting accordingly, tertiary deviance represents a further evolution in the individual's relationship with deviance. Tertiary deviance involves actively challenging the stigma associated with a deviant label and seeking to redefine it in a positive or neutral light. Instead of accepting the negative label, the individual embraces their deviance as a part of their identity and attempts to normalize it.

For example, someone diagnosed with a mental illness might become an advocate for mental health awareness, challenging societal prejudices and promoting understanding. Or, a former convict might dedicate their life to prison reform, using their experiences to advocate for changes in the criminal justice system.

Conclusion

Secondary deviance is a powerful concept that highlights the complex interplay between individual behavior and societal reactions. By understanding the processes that lead to secondary deviance, we can develop more effective strategies for preventing and addressing deviance in our communities. This requires a shift away from punitive approaches that rely on labeling and stigmatization and toward more supportive and rehabilitative approaches that promote social inclusion and positive identity development. Recognizing the social construction of deviance and the power dynamics that influence labeling is essential for creating a more just and equitable society. Furthermore, understanding the nuances between primary, secondary, and tertiary deviance provides a more comprehensive view of how individuals negotiate their identities in the face of societal norms and expectations.