For example, assigning the label "crazy" to a person may represent an important step in the process of acquiring mental illness. Labeling theory has also been used to explain witchcraft. However, the theory as a whole has provided a beneficial development of the sociological understanding of self-conceptions, the relationships between deviance, social reaction and social control. Furthermore, after in-depth analysis, it is evident that labeling theory has proven to be very significant in establishing a relative body of empirical research evidence on the study of crime and criminality.