Final answer:
Labeling theory suggests that criminal behavior increases because individuals are caught and branded as offenders. It explains that when someone is labeled as deviant, they may adopt deviant behavior.The correct answer is option C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that explains criminal behavior increasing because certain individuals are caught and branded as offenders is labeling theory.
This theory suggests that when someone is labeled as deviant by society, they may internalize this label and adopt deviant behavior.
In the case of a convicted sexual offender being released on parole and arrested again for repeated sexual crimes, labeling theory would explain it as the offender accepting their new master status as deviant and engaging in the same behavior due to society's perception of them.The correct answer is option C.