Labeling theory suggests that minorities are more likely to be labeled as deviants for engaging in the same behaviors as the dominant group. During Hurricane Katrina, journalists submitted photos of desperate people taking food and water for survival from grocery stores. However, Yahoo News published these photos in a way that implied criminal behavior for minorities through the use of stereotypes and labels, which can become self-fulfilling prophecies that affect perceptions.

1. LABELING THEORY
In Hurricane Katrina

2. Why are some behaviors viewed as deviant when
done by some people, but not when others do it?

3. • Tuesday August 30th, 2005
• Journalists
submitted photos of
desperate people taking food and
water for themselves from local
grocery stores.
• Yahoonews published two
photos of the same behavior

4. Img: flickr.com/photos/triciawang

5. Img: flickr.com/photos/triciawang

6. LABELING THEORY &
STEREOTYPES
•Minorities are disproportionately labeled as deviants for doing
the same behaviors as the dominate group.
•Self-fulfilling prophecy: labels that affect our perceptions and
lead to the label becoming true
•The stock market is going to crash
•Kyle is a “thug” vs. Miguel is “college material”