Who introduce the concept of primary and secondary deviance?

The concept of primary and secondary deviance was introduced by sociologist Edwin Lemert in the early 1950s. Primary deviance refers to initial acts of rule-breaking that do not significantly alter an individual's self-identity or societal perception, while secondary deviance occurs when a person internalizes a deviant label and continues to engage in deviant behavior. This distinction highlights the social response to deviance and its impact on identity formation.