The primary purpose of this essay is to describe two general theories of crime and then consider the extent to which they explain youth crime. This essay will first describe the context of labeling theory, and then go on to discuss how a label becomes a person's primary status in life. The essay will then compare the differences with primary and secondary deviance and define the term self-fulfilling prophecy. The second phase of the essay will describe learning theory, explaining the context including all the terms, classical conditioning, operant conditioning and social learning theory. Furthermore, we will then proceed to explore the research and describe the extent to which both theories explain youth crime. Finally, the essay will compare and contrast the two theories and evaluate any advantages or implications. Labeling theory became dominant in society during the 1940s and 1950s, when a group of Chicago School graduate students attempted a different approach to applying the theory. to deviant behaviors. Within this group was a very influential young man, Howard S.Becker, who became the most recognized person for his work with crime labeling (Williams.F. McShaneM. 2010.p110). Becker argued that labels could be applied through the social reaction of others when a deviant or criminal act was committed and stated that "Labeling is the process of identifying, categorizing, and stereotyping social categories such as delinquents" (Davies .M.et.al .2010.p30). When an individual is labeled a criminal, people don't consider all the praiseworthy things they may have done previously, they only see that they have committed some form of deviance and are now being judged within society... middle of paper.. ....more stimuli from which the individual can learn (Williams.F. McShane.M.2010.p241). Furthermore, deviance within labeling theory is defined through the norms and values ​​of society, while deviance within learning theory is an imitation of deviance from society. To conclude this essay, it would be fair to say that labeling theory and learning theory both have great power over young people's lives, perhaps due to their vulnerability and the way they perceive different behaviors within the society. With criminal and deviant acts shaped and constructed by society, the behavior displayed by a young person will inevitably be labeled if it does not live up to the norms and values ​​in place. However, as the essay explains, young people will pick up characteristics of deviance from influential structures in society.