Final answer:
A student labeled as 'deviant' may experience secondary deviance, where they adopt and act out the deviant identity imposed by society, often through societal labeling and sanctions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Deviant Identities in Social Context
When a student is labeled with the identity of deviant, it often refers to the impact of societal labeling on their behavior and self-concept. This is connected to labeling theory, a concept within sociology that examines how being named deviant can lead to secondary deviance.
This occurs when individuals start to see themselves through the lens of this label and begin to behave in accordance with it, maybe even embracing it as a master status.
An example can be seen in a high school scenario where a student who is frequently in trouble might eventually identify as a 'troublemaker' due to consistent negative feedback from authority figures.
Sociologist Edwin Lemert discusses the distinction between primary deviance, which is minor and doesn't affect one's self-image significantly, and secondary deviance, which can redefine a person’s identity and actions.
Social norms and perceptions of deviance can vary widely, and they can be influenced by racial, ethnic, or societal prejudices. This was evident historically during the civil rights movement.
Sanctions, both formal and informal, also play a role in reinforcing these norms. Techniques of Neutralization, studied by Sykes and Matza, explore how individuals justify deviant behavior or resist labels.