Sociologists use the labelling theory in order to explain why crime and deviance occurs in society. This theory conveys the idea that a act is only criminal or deviant if the act is labelled accordingly, these labels are attached to individuals by those in society who are conformist, therefore they are defining what is deviant and non-deviant. Those who use this theory as an explanation therefore explain crime and deviance in the terms that it occurs as a result of labelling that has been placed on an individual for partaking in a certain activity that has previously been labelled as opposing the norms and values that are upheld in society by those who “conform”which as a result leads to a self fulfilling prophecy being fulfilled. Labelling theorist therefore reject other explanations for crime such as the Marxist approach that argue it is due to the subordinate position of the proletariate that is maintained by the bourgeoisie, or that crime is a result of the lack of opportunity in society for legitimate employment , as a result of rejecting these theories they argue that the labelling process has a direct impact and that crime is a product of the labelling theory.

Becker argues that a individual or behaviour is only defined as deviant due to the label that has been attached to it, these labels are created by ‘moral entrepreneurs’ that then lead a moral crusade to get laws changed and apply the labels. He argues that the result of this leads to the creation of a new group of outsiders who break the new rule and leads to the expansion of a social control agency who enforce the law and impose labels. This can be illustrated and further developed by Platt who argues that ‘juvenile delinquent’ was created due to a campaign by upper-class victorian moral entrepreneurs in order to establish them as a separate category so the state could extend its power beyond