Howard S. Becker
A leading figure in the sociology of deviance, known for his labeling theory and studies of subcultures and art worlds.
Quotes by Howard S. Becker
No single work of art can exist without the cooperation of many people.
The work of art is a collective product.
Conventions are the shared understandings that make collaboration possible.
Writing is hard work, but it's the only way to get ideas out there.
The trick is to write as if you were speaking to someone.
Don't try to write perfectly on the first draft; just get it down.
Editing is where the real writing happens.
Social scientists often write as if they're trying to impress rather than communicate.
Life is a series of negotiations with the rules around us.
Deviance is relative; what's deviant in one place is normal in another.
Marijuana users learn to enjoy it through a process of redefining their perceptions.
The user must learn to recognize the signs of being high.
Social learning is key to understanding deviant behavior.
In sociology, we study the rules, not just the rule-breakers.
Research is about asking questions that matter to people.
Don't let theory blind you to what's actually happening.
The best sociology is grounded in the everyday lives of ordinary people.
Teaching is about helping students see the world differently.
I never planned to be a sociologist; it just happened.
Chicago was where I learned that sociology is about the streets, not just the books.