What is one of the consequences of labeling theory?

Labeling theory suggests that individuals who are labeled in a negative way, such as being called a "delinquent" or "criminal," may internalize that label, leading to a reinforcement of the very behaviors they are labeled with. This process is known as self-fulfilling prophecy, where the expectations set by the label influence the individual's actions and identity. When a person is labeled, they may adopt the behaviors associated with that label, often because it alters how they view themselves and how others perceive and interact with them. Consequently, this can lead to a continuation or escalation of the delinquent behavior, as the individual begins to embody the label they have been given.

In contrast, the other choices do not align with the core principles of labeling theory. For example, the idea that labeling prevents criminal activity runs counter to the fundamental premise of how labels can lead to further deviance. Additionally, it would be inaccurate to claim that labeling has no impact on an individual's self-identity, as the theory explicitly emphasizes the importance of social labels in shaping identity. Finally, labeling theory does not uniformly stigmatize all social classes; rather, it focuses on how certain groups are disproportionately affected by societal labels, which can vary across different social contexts.