Social Pathology details the concepts of primary and secondary deviance. Lemert considers the causes of primary deviance as fluid, and only important to researchers concerned with specific social problems at a certain time. The process of being caught and labeled deviant by a person in position of authority is the most crucial step on the road to secondary deviance. Social scientists produced a vast amount of literature in response to Becker's request. Many social scientists challenge Scheff's arguments on theoretical and empirical grounds.
Social scientists disagree on the future of labeling theory.