A high school student, Alex, is frequently labeled as a troublemaker by teachers and peers due to minor infractions like skipping class. Over time, Alex begins to embrace this label, skipping more classes and engaging in riskier behaviors. Which aspect of labeling theory best explains Alex's transformation into a self-identified 'troublemaker'?

Labeling theory suggests that when society labels someone in a certain way, that person may start to see themselves through that label. In Alex's case, being called a "troublemaker" by teachers and peers leads him to accept this identity. Instead of trying to change his behavior, he begins to skip more classes and act out because he believes that is what a "troublemaker" does. For example, if Alex hears the label often enough, he might think, "If I'm already seen as a troublemaker, I might as well act like one. " This shows how labels can shape a person's self-image and influence their actions, often leading them to fulfill the expectations that come with that label.