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Using Theory to Explain Deviance: The January 6 Capitol Breach
Description of the Act of Deviance
An important deviant act occurred on January 6, 2021, when a large group of individuals
entered the United States Capitol building. The event stemmed from the perception that the 2020
presidential election was rigged. Individuals stormed the Capitol, assaulted property, and
attacked police officers ("District of Columbia | Utah Man Convicted of Assaulting Law
Enforcement with a Deadly Weapon and Other Charges during January 6 Capitol Breach |
United States Department of Justice"). The breach resulted in many arrests and charges for
offenses such as trespassing, assault, and conspiracy against the United States of America.
Application of Labeling Theory
According to the cause of the deviance, as seen during the Capitol breach, labeling
theory can be applied to a greater extent. This theory proposes that there is no rationality in any
behavior but that which is categorized by society as deviant. Deviant behavior may also result
from persons tagged as deviants fully accepting this label, promoting more deviant behavior
(Criminology, n.d). Thus, in the case of the Capitol breach, many participants were guided by
social and political contexts that described them as patriots fighting for democracy. This label,
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which some political leaders and media houses kept using, gave them a reason and morale to
continue doing so. Thus, the deviant identity was affirmed because media and law enforcement
agencies referred to these people as insurrectionists, strengthening the rationale for their actions.
Rationalizations of Deviance
Analyzing the Capitol rioters' actions, it is possible to identify several forms of
rationalizations used by those individuals. One of the common rationalizations was what was
known as the "denial of injury," where people explained any wrongdoing as protest and that what
they did was not hurtful. The other way to justify their action was to appeal to higher authorities,
in which the rioters argued that they were working in the best interest of their respective
countries and supporting democracy even if they were violating the law. These rationalizations
assisted the individuals in justifying their involvement in the breach and reduced feelings of guilt
or perceived responsibility.
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Work Cited
"District of Columbia | Utah Man Convicted of Assaulting Law Enforcement with a
Deadly Weapon and Other Charges during January 6 Capitol Breach | United
States Department of Justice." Www.justice.gov, June 18 2024,
www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/utah-man-convicted-assaulting-law-enforcement-
deadly-weapon-and-other-charges-during-jan. Accessed June 26 2024.
Criminology, American Society of. “Deviant Actions of Others Can Spur Individuals to
Opt out of Offending, Study Finds.” Phys.org, phys.org/news/2021-08-deviant-
actions-spur-individuals-opt.html.
