Edwin M. Lemert, who lived from 1912 to 1996, was an American sociologist who taught at the University of California, Davis after earlier positions at Kent State and Western Michigan Universities. He made foundational contributions to labeling theory by distinguishing primary deviance, an initial rule-breaking act with little effect on a person's self-image, from secondary deviance, in which a person comes to organize their identity and further behavior around society's reaction to having been labeled deviant. He also studied the social and psychological dimensions of drug addiction.
Facts
Defining ContributionIntroduced the distinction between primary and secondary deviance, foundational to labeling theory 1 Notable WorkSocial Pathology: A Systematic Approach to the Theory of Sociopathic Behavior (1951) 3 Connections
Theories Developed
Source Wikipedia: Edwin Lemert
Sources
1. Edwin Lemert Definition - Doc McKee Criminal Justice Glossary
glossary definition entry
Edwin M. Lemert (1912-1996) was a key figure in criminology, particularly in the study of deviance and social reaction theory.
Definition, paragraph 2
His most influential work introduced the distinction between primary deviance-minor rule-breaking that does not affect a person's identity-and secondary deviance
View the Source2. Wikidata: Edwin Lemert
Wikidata Q1254323, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source 3. Social pathology a systematic approach to the theory of sociopathic behavior - Internet Archive
catalog title recordQuote, catalog title record
Social pathology a systematic approach to the theory of sociopathic behavior
Wikipedia: Edwin Lemert
Theories Developed: Labeling Theory, Main body, quoting Lemert's own definition of secondary devianceQuote, Theories Developed: Labeling Theory, Main body, quoting Lemert's own definition of secondary deviance
his deviation is secondary
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.