How does the concept of master status influence the formation of deviant subcultures according to labeling theory?

Master status is a key idea in labeling theory that helps us understand how people are seen by others and how that affects their behavior. When someone is labeled with a certain status, like "criminal" or "deviant," that label often becomes their master status, meaning it overshadows other aspects of their identity. This can lead individuals to form deviant subcultures, where they connect with others who share similar labels and experiences. For example, if a teenager is labeled as a troublemaker at school, they might start hanging out with other students who have been labeled similarly, creating a group that embraces that identity. This group may develop its own norms and behaviors that are different from mainstream society, reinforcing the deviant label and making it harder for them to fit in elsewhere.