The significance of labelling theory and the movie Joker

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2 The significance of labelling theory and the movie Joker Introduction Examine the relevance of labeling theory in the 2019 film "Joker," starring Joaquin Phoenix. Since it offers a unique viewpoint on criminal conduct, labeling theory deserves more attention than it has so far received within the field of criminology. It hints that the social stigma and labels people get for their illegal actions affect whether or not they continue to participate in criminal activity. From the standpoint of labeling theory, the film "Joker" may be examined to learn how the protagonist's criminalization is influenced by his labeling as a criminal by others. My thesis for this task is that the criminal actions in the film "Joker" may be better understood through labeling theory. To further appreciate how labeling theory may be applied to real-world circumstances, let's look at how the protagonist gets classified as a criminal and how society's reaction to his acts sustains his criminal conduct. Summary of Criminological theory In this paper, we examine the criminological theory of labeling. According to the sociological idea known as "labeling theory," aberrant conduct is not innate to a person but rather the product of society's response to the individual's behavior. The idea proposes that when people act in ways that are considered unacceptable by society, they are branded as deviants; this labeling may then become a self-fulfilling prophesy, with the person coming to identify with and reinforce the deviant conduct they were once deemed to have shown. Labeling theory was first established in the 1960s by sociologists Howard Becker and Edwin Lemert. It is generally agreed that Becker's "Outsiders" (1963) was a pivotal work in the formation of the idea (Brossard, 2021). Researchers that worked to develop the labeling hypothesis relied heavily on qualitative

3 methods, such as case studies and interviews with people who had been socially stigmatized. Becker studied how people came to use marijuana and concluded that it wasn't the substance per se that was associated with lousy conduct but rather the stigma attached to it. Secondary deviance, which Lemert studied extensively, is defined as antisocial conduct that develops in response to original deviance (Collins, 2021). He warned that labeling people may set off a vicious cycle of deviance in which the people thus marked would be even more shunned and ostracized by society, encouraging even more deviant conduct. Summary of real life event, movie, episode or any event that you have seen in the media Joaquin Phoenix stars as Arthur Fleck in the 2019 film "Joker," a psychological thriller directed by Todd Phillips and revolving around Fleck's transformation from a failing stand-up comedian into a criminal mastermind known as the Joker. The fictitious city of Gotham in the 1980s, when the film is set, is undergoing social instability and economic misery. The plot centers on Arthur's efforts to overcome his mental condition and gain social acceptance. Both random people on the street and his coworkers at the office pick on him and make fun of him constantly. His mental health declines as the film progress, and he withdraws farther and further from society. After being dismissed from his job and attacked by a gang of thugs on the train, Arthur's life comes to a head, and he commits himself. In a rage, he murders his assailants, unleashing a wave of carnage and mayhem on the city. The movie delves into issues including classism, mental illness, and the influence of the media on public opinion. Violence and the sympathetic depiction of a character who turns into a mass killer have been appreciated and condemned. The film was well-received, with 11

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4 nominations at the Academy Awards and two wins, including Best Actor and Best Original Score (Booker, 2023). Theory Analysis By stating that Arthur's criminal conduct in "Joker" is the outcome of social responses to his behavior and not just his unique qualities or acts, labeling theory provides insight into the criminal behavior shown in the film. After killing three men on the train, Arthur is branded a criminal by the media and the general public, which further propels him onto a path of increasing crime. Many scenes in the film depict the act of labeling. For instance, Arthur's predicament worsens when doctors diagnose him with mental illness and prescribe seven drugs (Phillips & Silver, 2019). His failure as a stand-up comic also causes him embarrassment and feelings of inadequacy because of the stigma attached to loss. At several points in the film, the media labels Arthur's unlawful activity as violent and dangerous, further isolating him and driving him to more severe crimes. According to the idea of labeling, a person's sense of self and actions may be profoundly affected by being classified as a deviant. A self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when a person labeled a "criminal" adopts that identity and continues to engage in illegal activities. As a result of being branded a criminal, Arthur internalizes the stigma, becomes more immersed in his Joker persona, and acts out more catastrophic ways. Conclusion In conclusion, "Joker" is a compelling picture of the criminal actions of a damaged man and the cultural causes that enable them. Through the perspective of labeling theory, we can see

5 how Arthur's illegal conduct is impacted by the labels and stigmatization he encounters from society rather than just being the product of his particular attributes or behaviors. According to the idea of labeling, a person's sense of self and actions may be profoundly affected by being branded as deviant, and this can lead to a self-perpetuating cycle of deviance. As a result of being stereotyped as a criminal, Arthur develops a deep sense of isolation and despair, leading him to accept his identity as the Joker and become progressively destructive and violent. In sum, the movie "Joker" and the use of labeling theory provide a fascinating investigation into the underlying societal causes of criminal activity. We may better understand the root causes of crime and develop more effective methods to prevent and manage criminal conduct if we look at how social attitudes and labels can impact an individual's behavior.

6 References Booker, M. K. (2023). No Joke: Todd Phillips's Joker and American Culture . Liverpool University Press. Brossard, B. (2021). Mental health and symbolic interactionism: Untapped opportunities. In The Routledge International Handbook of Interactionism (pp. 205-214). Routledge. Collins, A. M. (2021). Labeling Theory in Criminal Minds. Crime TV: Streaming Criminology in Popular Culture , 179. Phillips, T. (Director), & Silver, T. (Producer). (2019). Joker [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Bros. Pictures.

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