Negative social sanctions, self-derogation, and deviant behavior: Main and interactive effects in longitudinal perspective

Author(s): Damphousse, K. R.

Journal/Book: Deviant Behav. 1997; 18: 1900 Frost Road, Suite 101, Bristol, PA 19007-1598. Hemisphere Publ Corp. 1-26.

Abstract: This article reports the results of a multiple regression model that used longitudinal data (N = 2,545) to examine the interactive effects of negative social sanctions and self-derogation on deviant behavior (net of the effect of earlier deviant behavior). The analysis was based on the notion that some of the apparently contradictory evidence surrounding the examination of the labeling perspective may lie in a failure of researchers to focus on the conditions under which the labeling effect may or may not be appropriate. Some studies, for example, have shown that higher status individuals (Whites, males, those with higher socioeconomic status) are more at risk for escalating deviance after becoming labeled a deviant than their lower status counterparts. It is theoretically important, therefore, to seek other subgroups for which labeling theory holds (and does not hold) to help explain the inconsistent findings. Specifically, this study examined the extent to which self-rejection moderated the relationship between negative social sanctions and deviance in addition to exercising direct and mediating effects. A positive main effect of self-derogation at Time 1 was observed on deviance at Time 3, and a strong positive effect of negative social sanctions at Time 2 was observed on deviance at Time 3, controlling for earlier deviance. Importantly, for those respondents with low levels of self-derogation, a positive effect of negative social sanctions on later deviance was observed. This effect was considerably weaker, however, for those who reported high levels of self-derogation, although the relationship between the two concepts was still positive. Thus, highly self-derogating individuals who were sanctioned appeared to engage in increased levels of later deviance, net of earlier deviance (the labeling effect). The labeling effect was significantly stronger, however, for those who had very low levels of self-derogation.

Note: Article Kaplan HB, Texas A&M Univ, Dept Sociol, College Stn,TX 77843 USA

Keyword(s): GENERAL STRAIN THEORY; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; RATIONAL CHOICE; LABELING THEORY; EMPIRICAL-TEST; DRUG-USE; DETERRENCE; ARREST; POLICE; MODEL

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