Question 1

Suppose that Becky,who is under the legal age,orders and is served a drink in a bar.She is not discovered,so she is not labelled.According to Lemert's labelling theory,what form of deviance has taken place?

Accepted Answer

According to Lemert's labelling theory, primary deviance refers to the initial act of deviance before the individual is labeled as deviant. In this case, Becky ordering and being served a drink in a bar before being discovered is an example of primary deviance.

Question 2

Lillian worked as an accountant for a business with annual profits of $1 million.However,her boss paid her a low-level salary that did not meet her family's expenses.Lillian soon realized that she could embezzle money easily and began skimming about $100,000 per year.According to the text,through which theory can the reason behind her deviant behaviour best be understood?

Accepted Answer

Lillian's deviant behavior of embezzlement can best be understood through strain theory, which suggests that individuals who experience stress, frustration, or other negative emotions due to their inability to achieve culturally valued goals may resort to deviant behavior as a way to cope or achieve those goals. Lillian's low-level salary despite working for a profitable business could have led to feelings of frustration and strain, which she then attempted to alleviate through embezzlement.

Question 3

According to Gottfredson and Hirschi,which variable is the key to conformity?

Accepted Answer

According to Gottfredson and Hirschi's theory of self-control, individuals with high levels of self-control are more likely to conform to societal norms and rules, while those with low self-control are more likely to engage in criminal and deviant behaviors. Therefore, self-control is the key variable to conformity according to this theory. Choices A, B, and C may contribute to conformity but are not the primary focus of Gottfredson and Hirschi's theory.

Question 4

Which statements best describes Edwin Sutherland's theory of differential association?

Accepted Answer

Edwin Sutherland's theory of differential association states that deviance is learned in the context of small intimate groups through communication with others who have deviant attitudes and values. These groups provide a person with a perspective that is favorable towards deviant behavior, and they learn to see these actions as acceptable or even desirable. This theory suggests that individuals who associate with others who engage in criminal or deviant behavior are more likely to engage in similar behavior themselves.

Question 5

The idea that social structure exerts pressure upon certain people to rebel and NOT to conform to social norms is central to which approach?

Accepted Answer

The concept of social structure creating pressure for individuals to rebel and deviate from social norms is central to strain theory. This theory suggests that when individuals experience strain between their goals and the means available to achieve those goals within society, they may turn to deviant behavior as a way to cope or achieve their goals.

Question 6

Which approach claims that deviance is produced by societal reactions to deviance?

Accepted Answer

Labelling theory claims that deviance is produced by societal reactions to deviance, specifically the labels and judgments placed on individuals or groups who exhibit non-normative behavior. It suggests that these labels can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the individual internalizes the label and continues to engage in deviant behavior.

Question 7

A young girl in middle school decides,for the first time,not to attend school today because she has a test.What would sociologist Edwin Lemert call this initial act of rule breaking?

Accepted Answer

Primary deviance refers to the initial act of breaking a social norm, which in this case is the young girl deciding not to attend school. It is considered relatively minor and does not necessarily have long-term consequences. B) Secondary deviance refers to the subsequent deviant behavior that results from a person's labeling as a deviant by society. C) Residual deviance refers to behavior that is considered deviant but is not necessarily a violation of a specific law or social norm. D) Undetected deviance refers to deviant behavior that goes unnoticed by society or authorities.

Question 8

Which alternative to the current justice system is a movement which emphasizes healing and the reparation of harm caused by the offender?

Accepted Answer

Restorative criminology is a movement that emphasizes healing and reparation of harm caused by the offender. It involves bringing together the victim, offender, and community to engage in a dialogue and work towards repair and restoration. This is in contrast to retributive criminology, which focuses on punishment for the offender, and classical criminology, which focuses on deterrence and control of criminal behavior. Peacemaking criminology does emphasize repairing harm, but it also focuses on social justice and challenging power structures that contribute to crime.

Question 9

Which concept is central to Merton's theory of deviance?

Accepted Answer

Social strain is the central concept of Merton's theory of deviance. Merton argued that social structure and cultural values in society can create strain or pressure on individuals to deviate from socially acceptable goals and means to achieve them, leading to various forms of deviant behavior.

Question 10

What theory would view Alex as deviant if his teachers define him as a trouble maker?

Accepted Answer

The labelling theory would view Alex as deviant if his teachers have labelled him as a trouble maker. According to this theory, deviance is not inherent in any particular behavior or individual, but rather it is a result of how society reacts to that behavior or individual. Once an individual is labelled as deviant, they may internalize the label and begin to see themselves as deviant, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy where they continue to engage in deviant behavior.

Question 11

Which alternative to the current justice system is a nonviolent movement and a type criminology which focuses on reducing suffering and social injustice?

Accepted Answer

Peacemaking criminology is a nonviolent movement that seeks to reduce suffering and social injustice. It prioritizes social harmony over punishment and helps restore relationships between offenders, victims, and the community. Retributive and classical criminology are traditional models of criminal justice that focus on punishment and deterrence, while restorative criminology emphasizes repairing harm caused by criminal behavior.

Question 12

Alicia frequently steals from local stores.She has been reading about the psychology of delinquents and now believes that her behaviour is not her fault,but is caused by the blighted neighbourhood in which she lives.Which technique of neutralization is Alicia using?

Accepted Answer

Alicia is using the technique of neutralization known as "denial of responsibility" by placing the blame for her criminal behavior on external factors such as her neighborhood rather than taking personal responsibility for her actions.

Question 13

According to the text,which term best describes the use of illegitimate channels to pursue culturally approved goals when legitimate means are not available?

Accepted Answer

Innovation best describes the use of illegitimate channels to pursue culturally approved goals when legitimate means are not available, according to strain theory in sociology. This concept suggests that individuals may innovate or find alternative methods, including those that are socially unacceptable, to achieve societal goals when the conventional paths are blocked.

Question 14

Which perspective asserts that people are sometimes exposed to cultural goals that they are unable to obtain because they do not have access to culturally approved means of achieving them?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which perspective asserts that people are sometimes...

Question 15

A young man grows up in a house where his father grows marijuana,his father and mother smoke pot,and his older brother is a drug dealer.Which theory would predict that he is at risk of following in this criminal lifestyle?

Accepted Answer

The differential association theory suggests that criminal behavior is learned through social interactions with others who engage in criminal activity. In this case, the young man is exposed to family members who use and sell illegal drugs, which could lead him to adopt similar behaviors.

Question 16

Which theory argues that frequent association with those favouring deviance over conformity makes a person more likely to engage in deviant behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Differential association theory argues that individuals learn and engage in deviant behaviour through their association with others who hold those values and behaviours. This theory suggests that exposure to deviant behaviour can lead to an increase in the likelihood of an individual accepting and engaging in such behaviour.

Question 17

A young man likes to party;he is a thrill seeker who can't foresee the consequences of his behaviour.One night he goes on a drinking binge and wrecks his car.Which perspective would have predicted this behaviour?

Accepted Answer

The general theory of crime suggests that individuals with low self-control are more likely to engage in impulsive behavior, including thrill-seeking and drug or alcohol abuse, without considering the potential consequences. Therefore, this theory would predict the young man's behavior of drinking excess and wrecking his car.

Question 18

According to Merton's strain theory,what are criminals doing when they commit crimes?

Accepted Answer

According to Merton's strain theory, criminals are responding innovatively to institutionalized goals. This means that they are attempting to achieve societal goals (such as wealth, success, and status) through unconventional or illegal means due to the limitations or obstacles in the legitimate opportunities available to them.

Question 19

Monroe is a drug dealer who is interested in becoming rich and famous.However,he can think of no other way to achieve these goals.Monroe thinks that the life he is leading will mean that his son might be able to live a legitimate life without financial concerns.In terms of the Merton's typology,how might we describe Monroe's behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Monroe is using an innovative strategy by pursuing wealth and fame through drug dealing, which is not a traditional or legitimate means of achieving success. He is accepting the goal of financial success but rejecting the legitimate means of achieving it, which is selling legal goods or services. His justification for doing so is to secure financial stability for his son.

Question 20

According to Travis Hirschi,which concept is the key to understanding the causes of deviance?

Accepted Answer

Travis Hirschi's social control theory proposes that social bonds are the key to understanding the causes of deviance. Social bonds, which refer to the attachments, commitments, involvement, and belief systems that individuals have with society, serve as constraints on deviant behavior. Higher levels of social bonds are associated with lower levels of deviance, whereas weaker social bonds are associated with higher levels of deviance.

Quiz 11: Social Control, deviance, and Crime