Final answer:
Labeling theory explains how society's negative labels lead to individuals internalizing these labels and engaging in deviant behaviors. This can escalate primary deviance to secondary deviance, where the individual accepts a deviant role, influenced by society's negative characterization of them.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept described in the student's inquiry is known as labeling theory, a component of sociological studies that addresses how society assigns labels to individuals, who then internalize these labels and may begin to act in accordance with them. This process can lead to a transformation from what is known as primary deviance, a minor and often ephemeral deviation from social norms, to secondary deviance, wherein the individual adopts a deviant identity as part of their self-concept, influenced by the negative labels placed upon them.
Individuals who embrace the labels assigned to them, such as "troublemaker" or "overachiever," may start to express behaviors that conform to those expectations, as their roles and identities within society are reshaped. This could result in these individuals assuming a 'master status' that overshadows all other aspects of their identity. Stigmatization related to disabilities or illnesses, for example, can lead an individual to be known primarily by their condition rather than their full personal identity.
Labeling theory emphasizes the significant impact that these societal labels and stigmatization can have on a person's behavior and self-image. The Condemnation of the Condemners and the Techniques of Neutralization, for instance, are methods by which individuals may reject or rationalize the labels given to them. Overall, the effects of labeling can strongly influence the social integration of an individual and contribute to their perception as 'deviant' in society.