Final answer:
The first major criticism of Edwin Lemert's labeling theory relates to bias by labeling, where labels might be unequally applied and could perpetuate negative self-fulfilling prophecies, especially within educational settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first major criticism of Edwin Lemert's labeling theory is concerned with bias by labeling. Labeling theory posits that labels assigned by authoritative figures or powerful social groups within certain settings, such as educational or political environments, can have a significant influence on individuals' self-concept and social identity. A criticism is that the application of labels could be biased and uneven, with certain groups receiving more negative or extreme labels compared to others, which may not be reflective of true behavior or intent. This bias by labeling can be seen where labels may incorrectly assign authority or credibility, such as in the case of media coverage using terms like "expert" for ideologically driven individuals without disclosing their leanings.
Applying this to an educational setting, we observe that a student's label, such as 'low achiever' due to poor performance or low standardized test scores, can significantly impact their education. This is often perpetuated by those in power, resulting in a self-fulfilling prophecy where a student internalizes expectations and potentially underachieves as a result. This aspect of labeling theory has been criticized for its potential to maintain and reinforce systemic biases within educational systems, indicating that the theory may overlook the complex interactions between individual behaviors and societal structures.