Final answer:
A symbolic interactionist would be most interested in Kara's experience, examining the impact of negative labeling and how it shapes self-identity. Functionalists would consider her behavior a social dysfunction, while conflict theorists would explore the role of social inequality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sociological perspective most interested in studying Kara's experience, as a child labeled "troubled" and then deciding to "live down" to this expectation, would likely be symbolic interactionism. This perspective focuses on the daily interactions of individuals and the meanings they assign to these interactions. In Kara's case, the labeling theory within symbolic interactionism suggests that the negative labels assigned to her could lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where Kara internalizes these labels and enacts the behaviors that are expected of her as a result. A symbolic interactionist would be interested in how these labels affect Kara's self-identity and behavior.
Functionalists might view her choices as a deviation from the norms that uphold the social structure, considering them a form of social dysfunction. This disrupts the expected functioning of society by not fulfilling the roles she is expected to play. On the other hand, a conflict theorist might focus on the role of social inequality in Kara's experience, examining how power dynamics and societal structures contribute to her being labeled and the limited opportunities that result from this.