Samantha, a 15-year-old girl, stole a pair of earrings from a jewelry store. this is the first time samantha committed theft. mr. wilson, the store’s manager, discovered the theft. he approached samantha’s parents the same evening. after samantha’s parents questioned her, she handed over the earrings and apologized to the manager. according to the labeling theory, which of these actions should be taken against samantha? a. the law authorities should arrest samantha and send her to prison. b. samantha’s parents should stop trusting her because she is a thief. c. samantha’s friends should avoid her because she is a bad influence. d. a juvenile court should instruct samantha to engage in some kind of community service, such as providing for the family’s church. e. samantha's teachers should be told to keep an eye on her to see if she steals again.

D.

Explanation:

The labeling theory refers to a self-fulfilling prophecy construct where if you define someone as something then they will become that thing. In this instance, defining Samantha as a thief would make her become a thief.

In answer A, Samantha would be labeled as a criminal in need of prison and, under the labeling theory, would be in the mindset of becoming a criminal.

In answer B, Samantha's parents would be labeling her as a thief and their lack of trust for her would lead to Samantha continuing to engage in thievery.

In answer C, Samantha's friends would be labeling her as a thief and, yet again, Samantha would feel as though she is one.

In answer E, Samantha's teachers keeping an eye on her infers that Samantha cannot be trusted and is not healthy for Samantha's evaluation of herself. Again, this would only lead to her stealing again under the labeling theory.

Answer D is the only answer which is constructive and rehabilitative, the goal of the labeling theory.

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