What might a conflict theorist conclude about deviance if an upper-middle-class white college student is sentenced to rehab for the same drug crime that a lower-class black man is sentenced to jail for committing?
A) Different levels of punishment are functional, as they keep the most productive members of society out of jail.
B) Criminals from the lower class should be more harshly punished, as they are more likely to re-offend.
C) The two criminals probably had very different motives for committing their crimes, and this explains the difference in punishment.
D) The rules are applied unequally, and those with power or influence are punished much less harshly than others.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A conflict theorist would likely argue that the justice system is not neutral, but rather is influenced by the unequal distribution of power and resources in society. This means that those with more power and influence (such as an upper-middle-class white college student) are likely to receive less severe punishments for similar crimes than those with less power (such as a lower-class black man). This discrepancy in punishment reflects the unequal distribution of power and privilege in society, rather than any inherent differences in the crimes committed by the two individuals.

What Might a Conflict Theorist Conclude About Deviance If an Upper-Middle-Class