What effect does labeling have on an adolescent's behavior according to labeling theory?

Labeling theory suggests that when an adolescent is labeled by society—such as being tagged as a "troublemaker" or a "nerd"—it can significantly affect their self-identity and behavior. The key idea is that these labels can lead to a process of internalization where the individual begins to see themselves through the lens of the label. This internalization can result in what is known as internalized deviance, where the adolescent adopts the behaviors associated with the label.

For instance, if a student is consistently labeled as a "failure" in school, they might begin to believe they are incapable of succeeding, leading to decreased motivation and potentially reinforcing poor academic performance. In contrast, positive labels can uplift an adolescent’s self-esteem, but in the context of this question, the focus is on the negative effects.

The other options are not as substantiated by labeling theory. While positive labeling may occasionally encourage positive behavior, it is not the main focus of the theory. The idea that labeling has no effect contradicts key principles of the theory, as the very premise is based on the significant impact of labels. Lastly, enhancing social skills does not directly relate to the main premise of labeling theory, which examines the consequences of societal labels rather than