Howard Earl "Howie" Becker

Howard Earl "Howie" Becker is a renowned sociologist known for his work in understanding how society influences individual behavior, particularly through the lens of deviance and social labeling. His research explores how people's actions are shaped by social rules, expectations, and reactions from others. Becker emphasized that deviance isn’t just about the act itself but also about how society perceives and responds to it. His work helps explain how certain behaviors become labeled as criminal or unacceptable, shaping people’s identities and societal responses, thereby influencing social norms and individual self-perceptions.