secondary deviance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowAcademic/Technical
Quick answer
What does “secondary deviance” mean?
In sociology and criminology, deviant behavior that results from being labelled as a deviant and internalizing that label.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In sociology and criminology, deviant behavior that results from being labelled as a deviant and internalizing that label.
The process where an individual, after being publicly identified and stigmatized as deviant, adapts their self-concept and behavior to align with that label, often leading to further and more serious rule-breaking.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant orthographic or definitional differences. The term is used identically in sociology and criminology.
Connotations
Neutral academic term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in academic discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “secondary deviance” in a Sentence
The theory explains [NOUN PHRASE] as a result of secondary deviance.Secondary deviance follows from [NOUN PHRASE/CLAUSE].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “secondary deviance” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The young offender began to secondary-deviate after constant police scrutiny.
- He was labelled and subsequently secondary-deviated.
American English
- The individual, once stigmatized, started to secondary deviate.
- The process where people secondary deviate is complex.
adjective
British English
- The secondary-deviance phase is critical for intervention.
- We studied secondary-deviance trajectories.
American English
- A secondary-deviance pattern emerged from the data.
- The researcher focused on secondary deviance behaviors.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Central term in sociological Labeling Theory, used in criminology and social psychology papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used precisely in sociological analysis and criminological reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “secondary deviance”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “secondary deviance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “secondary deviance”
- Using it to mean any second minor offence.
- Confusing it with 'recidivism' (which is repeated crime, not necessarily identity-driven).
- Using it outside a sociological labeling context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The concept is central to the Labeling Theory developed by sociologists like Howard S. Becker and Edwin Lemert, who distinguished between primary and secondary deviance.
Not exactly. Repeat offending (recidivism) is a behavior pattern, while secondary deviance specifically refers to offending that is driven by adopting a deviant identity due to labeling.
Labeling theorists suggest it can be mitigated by avoiding formal labeling and stigmatization (e.g., through diversion programs) after an initial deviant act.
Primarily in sociology, criminology, and social psychology.
In sociology and criminology, deviant behavior that results from being labelled as a deviant and internalizing that label.
Secondary deviance is usually academic/technical in register.
Secondary deviance: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛkənd(ə)ri ˈdiːvɪəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛkənˌdɛri ˈdiviəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FIRST (primary) you break a rule, SECOND (secondary) you get a label and live up to it.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEVIANCE IS A SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY / A LABEL IS A TRAP.
Practice
Quiz
What is the key factor that drives secondary deviance?