According to labeling theory, when individuals are labeled as deviant, they may adopt a _____ identity, further perpetuating their deviance.

According to labeling theory, when people are labeled as deviant, they may start to see themselves as deviant too, which can lead them to adopt a deviant identity. This happens because the label affects how they view themselves and how others treat them. For example, if a teenager is labeled as a troublemaker at school, they might start to act out more, believing that this is the only way they can fit into the identity others have given them. As a result, the label can create a cycle where the individual continues to engage in deviant behavior because they feel they have no other choice. In this way, the initial label can shape their actions and reinforce the very behavior that led to the label in the first place.