According to labeling theory, deviance is the product of a social reaction to behavior. A label is created as a reaction to an isolated incident by agents of social control. The recipient then internalizes the label and absorbs it into their identity. Once identified with the label, the individual will act in a way that satisfies the label. The focus of labeling theory is on the process by which the label leads to further delinquent behavior. The cause of the initial act of deviance is less concerning than the way in which society's reaction to the act creates a condition for further deviance. Therefore the focus of the labeling theory study is more concerned with secondary deviance. While the initial deviant act is known as primary deviance, all deviant acts subsequent to absorbing the label are known as secondary deviance. Primary deviance can be committed for a variety of different reasons, and labeling theory appears to provide a cause not for the initial act but for any act of deviance caused by the internalization of a label. Labels can be imposed formally or informally. A formal etiquette...