Labeling theory is a sociological and criminological theory that says that a strong, negative societal reaction to an individual's wrongdoing can lead the individual to become more deviant. Based on the principles of symbolic interactionism, the theory says there are two ways formal labeling increases deviance. The first is by negatively impacting an individual's self-conception. The second is by blocking access to conventional opportunities. While labeling theory was popular in the 1970s, it was difficult to prove and fell out of favor. Recent approaches in criminology are reviving interest in labeling theory
