The main focus of the essay will be the implications of labeling theory and how it affects individuals. It will also focus on the creation of particular categories of criminals when labeling theory is applied. Additionally, it will describe what labeling theory is, how it affects people, and how it affects the creation of criminal categories. The purpose of this essay is to provide a better understanding of labeling theory and its implications for the creation of criminal categories. Labeling theory describes the sociological approach to labeling within societies and in the development of crime and deviance (Gunnar Bernburg and D. Krohn et al., 2014, p. 69-71). The theory is that when an individual is given a negative label (that is deviant), then the individual pursues their new (deviant) label/identity and acts in a manner that is expected of them with their new label (Asencio and Burke, 2011, pp. 163-182). Labeling theory was recognized and better known in the 1960s, but by the 1980s it was considered less favorable and was criticized by other researchers and theorists. One of the reasons that labeling theory was increasingly less supported and criticized more frequently was due to the lack of research conducted in this area. However, in recent years there has been increased interest in labeling theory and its perspectives (Lopes and Krohn et al., 2012, pp. 457-458). Labeling theory can be broken down into two different forms, namely: formal and informal labeling, they are both very similar and both have a sociological approach (Adams and Robertson et al., 2003, p. 171 ). When it comes to this theory of labeling, it has three main consequences when applied, whether formal or...... middle of article...... elinquency, 51 (1 ), pp. 69-71.Hayes, TA 2010. Labeling and adopting a deviant status. Deviant Behavior, 31 (3), pp. 282-297. Lopes, G., Krohn, MD, Lizotte, AJ, Schmidt, NM, V'Asquez, BE and Bernburg, JG 2012. Labeling and cumulative disadvantage on the impact of formal police intervention on life chances and crime in emerging adulthood. Crime & Delinquency, 58 (3), pp. 457 - 478Paternoster, R. and Iovanni, L. 1996. The labeling perspective and delinquency: an elaboration of theory and evaluation of the evidence. In: Cordella, P. and Siege, L. eds. 1996. Readings in contemporary criminological theory. Pennsylvania: The Maple Press Company, p. 180.Multilevel research design. 2002. In: Gillespie, W. ed. 2002. Prisonization: Individual and institutional factors affecting inmate conduct. Texas: LFB Scholarly Editions, pp... 67-68.