description Howard Becker Overview
Howard S. Becker was an American sociologist whose work examined deviance, occupations, education, artistic production, and the methods used in social research. His 1963 book Outsiders became a central statement of labeling theory, arguing that deviance results partly from social groups creating and enforcing rules rather than residing solely in an act itself. In Art Worlds, he analyzed art as the product of coordinated networks of creators, technicians, distributors, and audiences.
insights Ranking position
Howard Becker ranks #27 of 245 in the Sociologist ranking, behind Harold Garfinkel, ahead of Talcott Parsons.
help Howard Becker FAQ
What does Howard Becker mean when he says deviance is labeled?
In Outsiders, Becker argues that an act becomes deviant partly because social groups create rules and apply labels to particular people. The 1963 book therefore studies rule-making and enforcement, not merely the supposed traits of an offender.
Why did Howard Becker study marijuana users and dance musicians?
Those groups allowed him to examine how people learn practices, interpret experiences, and develop identities within social worlds. His research on marijuana use showed that recognizing and enjoying its effects can be socially learned.
What is an art world in Becker's sociology?
In Art Worlds, published in 1982, Becker treats art as the product of coordinated activity among artists, technicians, suppliers, distributors, critics, and audiences. Conventions let these participants cooperate, while changes in cooperation can reshape what counts as art.
Was Howard Becker connected to the Chicago School of sociology?
Yes, he studied at the University of Chicago and worked in an interactionist tradition associated with fieldwork and close observation. Everett Hughes was an important influence on his research into occupations, careers, and collective activity.
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