Toward an understanding of false accusation: The pure case of deviant labeling

The phenomenon of the “falsely accused deviant” was introduced by Becker almost two decades ago (Becker, 1963) and has become a tacit anchor point for subsequent labeling theory. It has, however, received limited systematic analytic explication. This paper first samples a broad range of research findings affirming the breadth and prevalence of false accusation. A classification scheme identifying four fundamental types of false accusations (pure, intentional, legitimatized, and victim based) is then introduced and illustrated. Finally, several propositions pertaining to the societal and organizational preconditions for the occurrence of false accusation are presented and documented. The roles that (1) perceived threat, (2) subcultural heterogeneity, (3) domain protectionism, (4) stereotype adoption, and (5) diagnostic oversimplification play in the emergence of false accusation are highlighted.