Edwin Lemert

Edwin Lemert was a sociologist known for his work on deviance and how society defines and responds to it. He introduced the idea that actions are seen as criminal or deviant only when society labels them as such, rather than inherently being wrong. Lemert distinguished between primary deviance (initial, minor acts) and secondary deviance (when someone is stigmatized, leading to further deviant behavior). His work helps explain how societal reactions can influence an individual's identity and behavior, emphasizing that deviance is a process shaped by social context and labels rather than just the act itself.