According to Becker's theory, what defines a deviant?

Becker's labeling theory posits that deviance is not inherent in the act itself but is instead a result of social responses to certain behaviors. According to this perspective, an individual becomes deviant when society labels them as such. This indicates that the classification of deviance relies heavily on societal reactions and the context within which certain behaviors occur.

When an individual is labeled as deviant, that label can influence how they see themselves and can affect their interactions with others, potentially leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy where they engage in further deviant behavior. The focus is therefore on the process of labeling rather than the specifics of the act committed. Understanding deviance through this lens emphasizes the social construction of deviance rather than purely legal or moral definitions.