Editing Labeling theory (section)

===David Matza===
In ''On Becoming Deviant'' (1969), sociologist David Matza<ref name=":2">Matza, David. 1969. ''On Becoming Deviant''. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: [[Prentice Hall]].</ref> gives the most vivid and graphic account of the process of adopting a deviant role. The acts of authorities in outlawing a proscribed behavior can have two effects, keeping most out of the behavior, but also offering new opportunities for creating deviant identities. He says the concept of "affinity" does little to explain the dedication to the behavior. "Instead, it may be regarded as a natural biographical tendency born of personal and social circumstances that suggests but hardly compels a direction or movement."<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|93}}

What gives force to that movement is the development of a new identity:<blockquote>"To be cast as a thief, as a prostitute, or more generally, a deviant, is to further compound and hasten the process of becoming that very thing."<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|157}}

"In shocked discovery, the subject now concretely understands that there are serious people who really go around building their lives around his activities—stopping him, correcting him, devoted to him. They keep records on the course of his life, even develop theories on how he got that way.... Pressed by such a display, the subject may begin to add meaning and gravity to his deviant activities. But he may do so in a way not especially intended by agents of the state."<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|163–4}}

"The meaningful issue of identity is whether this activity, or any of my activities can stand for me, or be regarded as proper indications of my being. I have done a theft, been signified a thief. ''am'' I a thief? To answer affirmatively, we must be able to conceive a special relationship between being and doing—a unity capable of being indicated. That building of meaning has a notable quality."<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|165–70}}</blockquote>