Final answer:
Labeling theory by Edwin Lemert proposes that individuals may engage in behavior that could be labeled as criminal, but only some are labeled and this affects their identity and further behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Speaking of labeling theory, sociologist Edwin Lemert believed that individuals are involved in behavior that could be labeled delinquent or criminal and that some individuals are actually labeled as such. Primary deviance is the initial act of rule-breaking, which may result in the individual being labeled as 'deviant' and influencing how they view themselves and are viewed by others. If this label becomes a master status, the labeled individual might embrace this new identity and continue the deviant behavior, leading to what Lemert calls secondary deviance.
According to labeling theory, a convicted sexual offender who is released on parole and then arrested two weeks later for repeated sexual crimes would be an example of someone who has been labeled as deviant by society. This could lead to acceptance of a new master status as a 'criminal', which could make it more difficult for the individual to find non-criminal ways of living, thereby perpetuating further deviance. This concept shows the powerful impact of societal labels and the consequences they bear on an individual's actions and identity.