Although this theory is not the most widely used theory in explaining deviant behavior, it is considered the most important approach. Labeling theory was established by work done by W. I. Thomas in 1928 (Crossman, 2015a). According to Cliffsnotes.com (2015), “this theory holds that behaviors are deviant only when society labels them as deviant.” According to this theory, deviance is labeled by those who impose appropriate behaviors and limits. These people may include judicial officials, experts, police officers and school authorities. Because these individuals essentially create categories of deviant behavior and apply labels to others, “they are reinforcing society's power structure” (Crossman, 2015a). Once an individual has been labeled as provocative, it is difficult to remove that label. With this label in place, an individual views himself or herself as defiant and will therefore be more likely to exhibit deviant behavior (Crossman,