Question 1

The unit of analysis of the social disorganization school is the:
A) neighborhood or community
B) individual
C) family
D) state
E) society

Accepted Answer

The social disorganization school, also known as the ecological school, focuses on studying the neighborhood or community as the unit of analysis to understand crime and delinquency. This approach emphasizes the importance of the physical and social characteristics of neighborhoods in shaping crime patterns and argues that socially disorganized communities have higher levels of crime.

Question 2

Which of the following theories argues that in order to engage in crime, we need to be pushed into or motivated to engage in criminal behavior?
A) routine activities theory
B) social disorganization theory
C) anomie theory
D) social control theory
E) self-control theory

Accepted Answer

Anomie theory, also known as strain theory, argues that individuals may feel pressure to engage in crime when they experience a sense of disconnection between their goals and the means to achieve them. This pressure or motivation to engage in criminal behavior is the result of the strain or pressure that individuals feel as a result of this disconnection.

Question 3

Robert K. Merton's theory hinges on the gap or lack of congruence between which of the two institutional orders? The:
A) political and the educational order
B) the military and the diplomatic order
C) the religious and the artistic order
D) the economic and the cultural order
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Merton's theory focuses on the gap or lack of congruence between the economic order (which emphasizes material success and achievement) and the cultural order (which values social status and prestige). This gap is referred to as the "strain towards anomie," where individuals feel pressure to succeed in the economic order but are unable to do so through legitimate means, leading to deviant behavior.

Question 4

Which of the following is a constructionist theory of deviance and crime?
A) social disorganization theory
B) demonic possession
C) Lombroso's theory of biological atavisms
D) free will, rational choice, and routine activity theory
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Constructionist theories of deviance and crime focus on how societies define deviance, the processes by which rules and norms are socially constructed, and how these definitions influence the labeling and treatment of individuals as deviant. None of the options provided (A, B, C, D) are constructionist theories. Social disorganization theory (A) focuses on how the breakdown of social institutions in a community leads to crime. Demonic possession (B) is a supernatural explanation rather than a sociological theory. Lombroso's theory of biological atavisms (C) suggests that criminals are biologically different from non-criminals. Free will, rational choice, and routine activity theory (D) are part of the classical school of criminology, emphasizing individual decision-making processes rather than social construction of deviance.

Question 5

Robert K. Merton conceptualized anomie as a disjunction between:
A) structurally defined goals and culturally available opportunities.
B) culturally defined goals and structurally available opportunities.
C) both structurally defined goals and culturally available opportunities.
D) neither culturally defined goals nor structurally available opportunities.
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Merton's concept of anomie is based on the idea that society's cultural goals (such as material success) may be out of reach for certain groups due to limited structural opportunities (such as access to education or employment). This creates a state of strain or disjunction between the goals and the means to achieve them, leading to deviant behavior. Therefore, the answer is B, where the disjunction is between culturally defined goals and structurally available opportunities.

Question 6

Which of the following theories argues that virtually everyone would engage in deviance and crime if given the opportunity; sociologists do not have to explain the motivated offender; he/she can simply be assumed.
A) anomie theory
B) genetic theories
C) differential association theory
D) learning theory
E) self-control theory

Accepted Answer

The self-control theory, also known as the general theory of crime, posits that individuals with low self-control are more likely to engage in deviant and criminal behavior. According to this theory, which was developed by Michael R. Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi in their 1990 book "A General Theory of Crime," self-control is a key factor in understanding criminality. The theory suggests that people with low self-control are impulsive, insensitive, physical (as opposed to mental), risk-taking, short-sighted, and nonverbal, and these traits make them more likely to take advantage of opportunities to commit crimes.
The self-control theory argues that the propensity for crime is a result of inadequate child-rearing practices, and it assumes that the potential for deviance is widespread. If given the opportunity, and without effective socialization and the development of self-control, individuals would naturally tend to pursue self-interest and immediate gratification, which can lead to deviant and criminal acts. Therefore, the theory implies that the motivated offender does not need to be explained; rather, the focus should be on understanding the factors that prevent or reduce the likelihood of deviance, such as the development of self-control through proper parenting and socialization.

Question 7

The sociologist known for fashioning the differential association theory of crime is:
A) Emile Durkheim
B) Robert K. Merton
C) Edwin Sutherland
D) Cesare Lombroso
E) Travis Hirschi

Accepted Answer

Edwin Sutherland is credited with creating the differential association theory of crime, which suggests that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others who engage in such behavior. Sutherland argued that crime is not the result of individual pathology or genetics, but rather socialization and associations with deviant peers.

Question 8

The criminologist known for fashioning a biological theory of crime is:
A) Emile Durkheim
B) Robert K. Merton
C)Edwin Sutherland
D) Cesare Lombroso
E) Travis Hirschi

Accepted Answer

Cesare Lombroso is known as the father of modern criminology and is famous for his theory of "the born criminal," which posited that criminal behavior was biologically determined and that some people were predisposed to criminal behavior due to physical characteristics such as facial features, head shape, and body type. While his theory has largely been discredited, it was a significant contribution to the field of criminology.

Question 9

The sociologist known for fashioning the social control theory of crime is:
A) Emile Durkheim
B) Robert K. Merton
C)Edwin Sutherland
D) Cesare Lombroso
E) Travis Hirschi

Accepted Answer

Travis Hirschi is the sociologist known for fashioning the social control theory of crime. Hirschi's theory posits that people are less likely to engage in criminal behavior when they have strong social bonds, such as attachment to others, involvement in conventional activities, belief in the moral validity of social norms, and fear of social disapproval.

Question 10

Positivism's central mission is:
A) developing empathy toward human actors.
B) devising scientific explanations for why things happen in the material world.
C) bringing about the socialist revolution.
D) understanding how people experience things.
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Positivism is a philosophical approach that advocates for the use of scientific methods to study the natural and social world. The central mission of positivism is to develop scientific explanations for why things happen in the material world. Therefore, choice B is the best answer. Empathy, revolution, and personal experiences are not central to positivism.

Question 11

Demonic possession-being possessed by the devil or other evil spirits-is:
A) is an example of the free will or rational calculus school of criminology.
B) the most ancient explanation for wrongdoing.
C) an acceptable sociological theory of deviance and crime.
D) an example of a positivistic or scientific explanation for deviance.
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Demonic possession is an ancient explanation for wrongdoing, dating back to ancient civilizations. However, it is not an acceptable sociological theory of deviance and crime, nor is it a scientific, positivistic explanation. It is also not an example of the free will or rational calculus school of criminology.

Question 12

A sociologist expressing which of the following theories would have been most likely to have written this quote: "Poor, dense, mixed-use neighborhoods have high transience rates. . . . Transience weakens . . . both formal and informal social control, which increases the likelihood of deviant behavior."
A) anomie/strain theory
B) social disorganization theory
C) differential association theory
D) routine activities theory
E) social control theory

Accepted Answer

The quote is discussing the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and deviant behavior, specifically highlighting the impact of transience on both formal and informal social control. This aligns with the central premise of social disorganization theory, which suggests that certain characteristics of neighborhoods (such as poverty and high transience) can contribute to higher rates of crime and deviant behavior due to weakened social controls.

Question 13

Robert K. Merton adapted Emile Durkheim's theory of anomie to devise his own anomie explanation of deviance. There are major differences between the two theories. Which of the following is one of them? In:
A) Merton's theory, deviance is caused by norms that are too strong; in Durkheim's theory, deviance is caused by norms that are too weak.
B) both Durkheim's and Merton's theories, deviance is caused by norms that are too strong; the difference lies elsewhere.
C) Durkheim's theory, deviance is caused by norms that are too strong; in Merton's theory, deviance is caused by norms that are too weak.
D) both Durkheim's and Merton's theories, deviance is caused by norms that are too weak; the difference lies elsewhere.
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Merton's theory posits that deviance occurs when societal norms are too strong and create pressure that leads individuals to engage in deviant behavior to achieve societal goals, whereas Durkheim's theory suggests that deviance results from a breakdown of societal norms, leading to a state of normlessness or anomie.

Question 14

What is the central explanatory factor of anomie theory?
A) inadequate parenting
B) absence of bonds to conventional society
C) deviant socialization
D) a disjunction between the culture, which stresses success motivation, and society's social and economic structure
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

According to anomie theory, the central explanatory factor is a disjunction between the culture, which stresses success motivation, and society's social and economic structure. This disjunction leads to a sense of normlessness and disconnection from conventional society, which in turn can lead to deviant behavior. Inadequate parenting and deviant socialization may also contribute, but the primary focus is on the societal factors that create an environment conducive to deviance.

Question 15

A sociologist expressing which of the following theories would have been most likely to have written this quote: "It is only when a system of cultural values extols [praises, encourages] . . . certain common success goals for the population at large while the social structure rigorously restricts or completely closes access to approved modes of reaching these goals for a considerable part of that same population, that deviant behavior ensues on a large scale."
A) differential association theory
B) social control theory
C) anomie/strain theory
D) routine activities theory
E) social disorganization theory

Accepted Answer

This quote is a reference to the concept of strain in anomie/strain theory, which argues that individuals may turn to deviant behavior when they experience a disconnect between the culturally prescribed goals of society and their ability to achieve those goals through legitimate means. The reference to a "system of cultural values" and "social structure" restricting access to approved means of achieving success aligns with this theory.

Question 16

Emile Durkheim and Robert K. Merton had very different definitions of anomie and argued that anomie had very different consequences for the society. In Merton's conceptualization, deviance results from:
A) psychopathology.
B) improper parental socialization.
C) a state of normlessness.
D) a too-strong hold of the norms on the members of the society.
E) disorganized neighborhoods

Accepted Answer

The answer of Emile Durkheim and Robert K. Merton had...

Question 17

Which of Merton's "adaptations" is exemplified by becoming a drug addict?
A) ritualism
B) innovation
C) rebellion
D) retreatism
E) conformity

Accepted Answer

Retreatism is one of Merton's "adaptations" where an individual rejects both the cultural goals and means of achieving them. Becoming a drug addict can be seen as an example of retreatism because the individual has given up on achieving traditional cultural goals and is instead withdrawing from society and relying on drug use as a way to cope.

Question 18

The innovation mode of adaptation in Merton's anomie theory applies to:
A) suicide
B) sexual unconventionality
C) pick-pocketing
D) being a petty red-tape bureaucrat
E) drug addiction

Accepted Answer

Innovation in Merton's anomie theory refers to the acceptance of cultural goals but the rejection of legitimate means to achieve them, often leading to criminal behavior like pick-pocketing.

Question 19

Retreatism is exemplified by which of Merton's adaptions to the strain induced by anomie?
A) chronic alcoholism
B) burglary
C) autism
D) being a revolutionary
E) prostitution

Accepted Answer

Autism is a form of social withdrawal that can be seen as a retreat from the demands of society.

Question 20

The Chicago school explanation of deviance doesn't apply to some forms of deviance, one of which is:
A) juvenile delinquency
B) property crime
C) violent crime
D) white collar crime
E) none of the above; all apply to these forms of deviance

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Chicago school explanation of deviance doesn't...

Quiz 2: Explaining Deviant Behavior

The unit of analysis of the social disorganization school is the:

Which of the following theories argues that in order to engage in crime, we need to be pushed into or motivated to engage in criminal behavior?

Robert K. Merton's theory hinges on the gap or lack of congruence between which of the two institutional orders? The:

Which of the following is a constructionist theory of deviance and crime?

Robert K. Merton conceptualized anomie as a disjunction between:

Which of the following theories argues that virtually everyone would engage in deviance and crime if given the opportunity; sociologists do not have to explain the motivated offender; he/she can simply be assumed.

The sociologist known for fashioning the differential association theory of crime is:

The criminologist known for fashioning a biological theory of crime is:

The sociologist known for fashioning the social control theory of crime is:

Positivism's central mission is:

Demonic possession-being possessed by the devil or other evil spirits-is:

Robert K. Merton adapted Emile Durkheim's theory of anomie to devise his own anomie explanation of deviance. There are major differences between the two theories. Which of the following is one of them? In:

What is the central explanatory factor of anomie theory?

Emile Durkheim and Robert K. Merton had very different definitions of anomie and argued that anomie had very different consequences for the society. In Merton's conceptualization, deviance results from:

Which of Merton's "adaptations" is exemplified by becoming a drug addict?

The innovation mode of adaptation in Merton's anomie theory applies to:

Retreatism is exemplified by which of Merton's adaptions to the strain induced by anomie?

The Chicago school explanation of deviance doesn't apply to some forms of deviance, one of which is: