15618. The Sociology of Deviance: The Perspective of Becker. This paper critically examines Howard Becker's labeling theory (1963) view that "social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance." The first section provides an explication of Becker's statement within the broader context of labeling theory and social deviance. The next section considers Becker's formulations within the context of specific examples. Finally, the analysis examines the possibility of bringing the labeled outsider back "inside" through a process using Braithwaite's theory of re-integrative shaming. 15 pages, 27 footnotes, 12 bibliographic sources.