Question 1

How does deviance contribute to group solidarity?
A)Deviance unites people against a common enemy.
B)Overcoming deviance fosters bonding.
C)People with common deviant dispositions bond.
D)Reformed deviants crave group acceptance.

Accepted Answer

Deviance can create an "us vs them" mentality, where the group comes together in opposition to the perceived threat of deviants. This can lead to increased group solidarity and cohesion.

Question 2

Those defined as deviant often suffer a _____ attached to their deviance.It is associated with shame,loss of status,discrimination,and social isolation.
A)master status
B)secondary deviance
C)stigma
D)loss of self

Accepted Answer

The concept of stigma is a marker of shame or disgrace attached to a deviant individual. It is a negative element of their social identity that defines them and is difficult to shake. Stigmatized individuals often suffer discrimination, social isolation, and loss of status due to the label of their deviance. The idea of a master status refers to a person's most significant social identity, while secondary deviance refers to the reinforcement of deviant behavior following an initial act of deviance. The concept of loss of self is not directly related to the social consequences of deviance.

Question 3

From the sociological perspective,what causes people to engage in deviant behavior?
A)genetic disposition
B)rational choice
C)psychological abnormality
D)loss of morality in society

Accepted Answer

According to the rational choice theory, individuals engage in deviant behavior when they perceive the benefits of the behavior outweigh the potential costs or consequences. This theory suggests that deviance is a rational response to social and economic conditions, rather than a result of psychological abnormalities or genetic predisposition.

Question 4

An ex-convict has a difficult time finding employment because his criminal record has become his
A)master status.
B)secondary deviance.
C)internalized self.
D)designation as abnormal.

Accepted Answer

The master status refers to the social identity that is the most salient or dominant for an individual. In this case, the ex-convict's criminal record has become their master status, which can lead to discrimination and difficulty finding employment.

Question 5

According to Emile Durkheim's definition,an act is deviant or criminal because it
A)offends social norms.
B)is essentially wrong by any standard.
C)is inherently immoral.
D)is illegal.

Accepted Answer

According to Durkheim, an act is deviant or criminal because it offends or violates social norms. Social norms are the shared expectations and beliefs about what behaviors are appropriate and acceptable within a society or social group. Therefore, an act that goes against these norms is considered deviant and criminal. This definition focuses on the social context and its influence on individual behavior, rather than moral or legal codes.

Question 6

A child who is continuously derided by his parents as "slow" will internalize this label as part of his identity.Instead of trying to succeed in school,he drops out and turns to drugs and alcohol.This is an example of
A)induced deviance.
B)secondary deviance.
C)social conditioning.
D)strain theory.

Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of secondary deviance, where the child adopts deviant behavior and identity as a response to societal reactions to their primary deviance (being labeled as "slow" by their parents). The child internalizes this label and begins to see themselves as incapable, leading them to drop out of school and turn to drugs and alcohol.

Question 7

The tendency to define a deviant behavior as an illness,for which treatment is best left to medical professionals,is referred to as _____ deviance.
A)illness
B)medical
C)medicalization of
D)pathology of

Accepted Answer

The medicalization of deviance refers to the process of defining behavior as an illness and seeking medical treatment for it, rather than treating it as a social or moral issue. This approach views deviance as a pathology to be treated by medical professionals, rather than as a result of social, cultural, or economic factors.

Question 8

Which of the following accurately describes deviance?
A)It is defined as immoral and wrong.
B)It resists change.
C)It depends on a public condemnation.
D)It changes with time and context.

Accepted Answer

Deviance is not an inherent quality of an act or behavior, but rather depends on the social context and the values and norms of a society. What is considered deviant behavior in one society or time period may be accepted in another. For example, homosexuality was considered deviant behavior in many societies until recently. Therefore, deviance changes with time and context.

Question 9

From the sociological perspective on deviance,how does one become an alcoholic?
A)He or she has a very high blood-alcohol level.
B)He or she exhibits behavior indicative of intoxication.
C)He or she commits a public outrage.
D)He or she is labeled as such.

Accepted Answer

According to the sociological perspective on deviance, deviant behavior is not inherent in an individual, but rather a label society places on certain behaviors. To become an alcoholic, an individual must be labeled as such by society. This label is often based on a pattern of behavior, such as excessive drinking or addiction, rather than a specific incident. Once labeled as an alcoholic, the individual is often stigmatized and treated as deviant, further reinforcing the label and potentially leading to further deviant behavior.

Question 10

What we define as normal and abnormal behavior depends on
A)evidence of abnormality.
B)empirical research.
C)social context.
D)individual opinion.

Accepted Answer

Normal and abnormal behavior is defined by the social context in which the behavior occurs. Cultural norms and societal expectations play a significant role in determining what is considered normal or abnormal behavior. Evidence and empirical research can provide support for these definitions, but ultimately it is the consensus of a particular culture or society that determines what is considered normal or abnormal. Individual opinions may vary, but they do not necessarily reflect the norms and expectations of the larger social context.

Question 11

From the functionalist perspective,a society without deviance would be excessively conformist.Such a society would
A)be close to an ideal society.
B)be highly productive and innovative.
C)strive for perfection.
D)limit change and innovation.

Accepted Answer

According to functionalist perspective, deviance plays a crucial role in bringing about change and innovation in society. Deviant behavior often leads to the creation of new ideas and practices that challenge the existing norms and values of society. Without any deviance, a society would become stagnant and would limit its potential for progress and innovation. Therefore, a society without deviance would be limiting change and innovation.

Question 12

From the functionalist perspective,crime serves a purpose in society.Which function does crime perform?
A)benefits some people economically
B)provides alternative opportunities
C)defines boundaries between right and wrong
D)helps the poor

Accepted Answer

Crime, from a functionalist perspective, helps in defining the boundaries between right and wrong by reinforcing societal norms and values through the punishment of deviant behavior.

Question 13

In public we behave ourselves according to a set of rules and expectations,even though no written rules exist to hold us accountable.Why do we still behave "normally"?
A)It is natural.
B)Many rules are implicit.
C)Life is easier if we do so.
D)It is the right thing to do.

Accepted Answer

Many of the rules and expectations that guide our behavior in public are implicit, meaning they are not explicitly stated but are understood through social norms and cultural expectations. We learn these norms through socialization and are expected to follow them in order to be accepted in society. Breaking these implicit rules can lead to social sanctions such as shame or embarrassment, which incentivizes us to behave "normally" in public.

Question 14

A behavior becomes defined as deviant because
A)it is contrary to a moral code.
B)most believe that it is deviant.
C)it is labeled as deviant.
D)it is inherently and profoundly wrong.

Accepted Answer

A behavior becomes defined as deviant because of social labeling, whereby society puts a label on certain behaviors, people or groups as deviant. It is the social response to a certain behavior that defines it as deviant, rather than the inherent nature of the behavior itself.

Question 15

Divorce was once considered deviant and,in many parts of the world,it still is.Today,Americans hardly think of divorce as something abnormal.Which reason is responsible for the redefinition of divorce as no longer deviant?
A)change in social context
B)social progress
C)decline in morality
D)decline in religious authority

Accepted Answer

The redefinition of divorce as no longer deviant is mainly due to a change in social context. As society has become more individualistic and people have become more focused on personal happiness, divorce is now seen as a legitimate option when a marriage is no longer fulfilling. This shift in attitude has led to a normalization of divorce in many parts of the world, including the United States.

Question 16

Deviance is best defined by which of the choices?
A)anything outside of the norm
B)behavior that people disapprove of
C)behavior that does not conform to norms and expectations
D)behavior that is inherently abnormal

Accepted Answer

Deviance is behavior that does not conform to the established norms and expectations of a society or group. It is not simply behavior that is outside of the norm or that people disapprove of, as these factors vary widely across cultures and individuals. Additionally, the concept of abnormality is subjective and context-dependent, and cannot be used as a universal definition of deviance.

Question 17

One becomes considered a deviant when publically marked with such a designation,and typically acknowledges this definition as part of his or her identity.This is a definition of what theory?
A)strain theory
B)deviance theory
C)labeling theory
D)rational choice theory

Accepted Answer

This statement describes the core principle of labeling theory, which suggests that individuals are not inherently deviant, but are labeled as such by others in society. Once an individual is labeled as deviant, they may internalize this label and begin to view it as part of their identity.

Question 18

Which factor helps define the boundary between normal and deviant?
A)conformity
B)nonconformity
C)use of force
D)conditioning

Accepted Answer

Nonconformity helps define the boundary between normal and deviant, as deviant behavior is often characterized by a lack of conformity to societal norms and expectations.

Question 19

People sometimes commit acts that contradict most any moral code.What explains such deviant behavior?
A)individual immorality
B)social immorality
C)a set of social conditions
D)anti-social personality

Accepted Answer

Deviant behavior is often shaped by the social conditions and cultural norms in which an individual is raised and lives. Factors such as poverty, social inequality, discrimination, and trauma can contribute to deviant behavior. It is not always simply a matter of individual choice or inherent morality. While antisocial personality may be a factor in some instances of deviant behavior, it is not the only explanation. Social and cultural factors play a significant role.

Question 20

What did Emile Durkheim mean by collective conscience?
A)collective guilt
B)shared values,norms,and beliefs
C)capacity for morality
D)ability to distinguish right from wrong

Accepted Answer

Collective conscience refers to the shared values, norms, and beliefs that exist within a society and help to guide individual behavior. It is the sense of commonality and shared identity that arises from this collective sense of morality. While guilt and the ability to distinguish right from wrong may be related to the collective conscience, they are not the same thing as it encompasses a broader range of social norms and values.

Quiz 8: Deviance and Social Control

How does deviance contribute to group solidarity?

Those defined as deviant often suffer a _____ attached to their deviance.It is associated with shame,loss of status,discrimination,and social isolation.

From the sociological perspective,what causes people to engage in deviant behavior?

An ex-convict has a difficult time finding employment because his criminal record has become his

According to Emile Durkheim's definition,an act is deviant or criminal because it

A child who is continuously derided by his parents as "slow" will internalize this label as part of his identity.Instead of trying to succeed in school,he drops out and turns to drugs and alcohol.This is an example of

The tendency to define a deviant behavior as an illness,for which treatment is best left to medical professionals,is referred to as _____ deviance.

Which of the following accurately describes deviance?

From the sociological perspective on deviance,how does one become an alcoholic?

What we define as normal and abnormal behavior depends on

From the functionalist perspective,a society without deviance would be excessively conformist.Such a society would

From the functionalist perspective,crime serves a purpose in society.Which function does crime perform?

In public we behave ourselves according to a set of rules and expectations,even though no written rules exist to hold us accountable.Why do we still behave "normally"?

A behavior becomes defined as deviant because

Divorce was once considered deviant and,in many parts of the world,it still is.Today,Americans hardly think of divorce as something abnormal.Which reason is responsible for the redefinition of divorce as no longer deviant?

Deviance is best defined by which of the choices?

One becomes considered a deviant when publically marked with such a designation,and typically acknowledges this definition as part of his or her identity.This is a definition of what theory?

Which factor helps define the boundary between normal and deviant?

People sometimes commit acts that contradict most any moral code.What explains such deviant behavior?

What did Emile Durkheim mean by collective conscience?