DEVIANT CAREER

A set of progressive stages in the development of the deviant identity that make it possible for a person to move from primary to secondary deviance.

Example:

Committing an act—such as using drugs—getting caught and publicly labeled a drug addict, being cut off from participation in more conventional groups, and after several more stages, confirming the deviant self-identity as a drug user and continued labeling and rejection by people who do not have this deviant label.