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The sociologist Howard Becker made the statement that "deviant behavior is behavior that people so label." He is associated with which approach to deviance?

1) Labeling theory
2) Functionalism
3) Conflict theory
4) Symbolic interactionism

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Final answer:

Sociologist Howard Becker, known for stating that "deviant behavior is behavior that people so label," is associated with the Labeling Theory, which falls under the umbrella of Symbolic Interactionism. This theory posits that deviance is a result of societal reactions rather than the behavior itself, differing from both Functionalism and Conflict Theory.

Step-by-step explanation:

Howard Becker is most closely associated with the Labeling Theory within the context of deviance. Labeling Theory is a concept within Symbolic Interactionism that suggests deviance is not inherent in any act but is instead the result of the labels society attaches to that act. A behavior becomes deviant when society labels it as such, and this can vary across different cultures and time periods. The theory also addresses the influence of these labels on individuals' self-identity.

Becker's statement that "deviant behavior is behavior that people so label" aligns with the Symbolic Interactionism approach, emphasizing the role of societal reactions and interactions in defining deviance. This is different from Functionalism, which views deviance as a necessary part of a functioning society, or Conflict Theory, which understands deviance and crime as resulting from social and economic inequalities.

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