Label (sociology)

A label is an abstract concept in sociology used to group people together based on perceived or held identity.

They group individuals with common characteristics, such as academic performance, gender, race, or adherence to law.

Unlike neutral categorization, stereotyping relies on power imbalances to reduce differences between individuals and groups to exaggerated characteristics.

[8] Sociologist Robert K. Merton named this effect "self-fulfilling prophecy" to explain the change he observed.

[2] Becker claimed that certain labels may increase one's likelihood of aligning with expected behavior, but they do not fully predict action.

[9] Individuals can bond over shared interests and characteristics, leading to a sense of connection and community.

Communities that share labels may have similar experiences that bind individuals to a group identity.

[2][10] Groups may also choose to label themselves in order to separate themselves from mainstream society, setting themselves apart as superior to those who follow the norm.

George Herbert Mead explained that positioning a group in opposition to a common enemy is "the easiest way of getting together".

Social roles come with expected behaviors that can help situate people in unfamiliar contexts by providing a framework they can use to interpret the meanings behind actions.

[2] Other labels are commonly researched under this theory, including "homosexual" and "mentally ill".

[8] This theory presents labels and their social context as holding power and influence over lives, behavior, and relationships.

A black sign with white handwritten letters reads "Baby IV is a...girl!" The sign rests on grass and is surrounded by pieces of pink crepe paper confetti.
A sign stating "Baby IV is a…girl!"
A large group of people in the Seattle Women's March, some holding handwritten signs. The image is focused on one marcher holding a cowbell and a pink cutout sign with the words "this is what a feminist looks like." The sign looks like a picture frame and is outlining the marchers face.
A member of a women's march holds up a sign reading "this is what a feminist looks like" to frame their face.