Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

secondary deviance

noun

/ˌsɛkənˈdɛri dɪˈveɪəns/

Definition

Secondary deviance refers to the concept in sociology that describes the process by which an individual who has been labeled as a deviant begins to engage in further deviant behavior as a result of the societal response to their initial deviance.

Examples

After being caught cheating, his secondary deviance led him to act out even more in school.
The label of a criminal can push individuals towards secondary deviance, as they may feel rejected by society.
Therapeutic interventions aim to prevent secondary deviance by helping individuals reconnect with positive social groups.

Meaning

It is the idea that when society labels someone as a ‘deviant’, they may internalize this label and continue to behave in ways that confirm it, often leading to a cycle of deviance.