Question 1

What did David Rosenhan describe in "On Being Sane in Insane Places"?

Accepted Answer

David Rosenhan described how researchers posing as "pseudo-patients" in a mental hospital but otherwise acting normally were treated as mentally ill by the hospital staff. They were kept in the hospital for weeks and given various diagnoses, despite not exhibiting any symptoms of mental illness. This revealed issues with the psychiatric system and how diagnoses are made, as well as raising ethical concerns about the treatment of patients in mental hospitals.

Question 2

How do self-fulfilling prophecies work?

Accepted Answer

Self-fulfilling prophecies work by assigning meaning to behavior, and once that meaning is assigned, the consequences are determined by that meaning. This means that our beliefs and expectations can influence our behavior and the behavior of others, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Question 3

What is one of the principal reasons people turn to deviant behavior in the United States, according to the structural strain theory of deviance as articulated by Robert Merton?

Accepted Answer

According to the structural strain theory of deviance as articulated by Robert Merton, deviant behavior occurs when there is a discrepancy between the culturally prescribed goals of success and the institutionalized means for achieving those goals. In the United States, the goal of success is widely shared but not everyone has equal opportunities or means for achieving that goal. This leads to individuals resorting to deviant behavior in order to achieve success through alternative means.

Question 4

A person arrived at a company party dressed in a bunny costume only to discover that the party was not a costume party and he had been tricked by a co-worker. Everyone from then on saw him as crazy and eccentric and eventually he came to think of himself in this way too. The initial mistake at the party is an example of

Accepted Answer

The initial mistake at the party is an example of primary deviance, which refers to a minor, often initial act of rule-breaking that does not result in a person being labeled as deviant.

Question 5

________ argues that punishments for rule violators are unequally distributed, with those near the top of society subject to more lenient rules and sanctions than those at the bottom.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory argues that there is a power imbalance in society, with those at the top benefitting from unequal distribution of resources and justice. This includes the notion that punishments for rule violators are unequally distributed, with those near the top of society often receiving more lenient sanctions than those at the bottom.

Question 6

Robert Merton's structural strain theory sees deviance as the result of a person's position in a social structure. What do you think Jack Katz, author of Seductions of Crime, would say about structural strain theory?

Accepted Answer

Jack Katz's work, particularly in "Seductions of Crime," emphasizes the emotional and experiential aspects of committing crimes, arguing that the allure of crime often lies in its intrinsic rewards, such as excitement, rather than solely in social structures or positions. This perspective suggests that Merton's structural strain theory might overlook the significant role of individual emotions and experiences in the motivation for deviant behavior.

Question 7

For Robert Merton, a prediction that came true only because the prediction was made is a

Accepted Answer

Robert Merton's concept of self-fulfilling prophecy refers to a prediction that comes true because people believe it and act on it. In other words, the prediction is fulfilled not because it was accurate, but because it influenced people's behavior in a way that made it come true. Therefore, choice C, self-fulfilling prophecy, is the best answer.

Question 8

What happened to the pseudo-patients in David Rosenhan's "On Being Sane in Insane Places"?

Accepted Answer

In David Rosenhan's experiment, all pseudo-patients were eventually discharged from the psychiatric hospitals where they had been admitted. However, none of them were declared "cured." Instead, their diagnoses were considered to be "in remission," indicating that the hospitals recognized their symptoms as diminished but potentially recurring, despite the fact that these individuals had feigned their symptoms to gain admission.

Question 9

Robert Merton developed structural strain theory to explain why deviance occurs. What is the cause of the strain suggested by the name of the theory?

Accepted Answer

According to the theory, the strain is caused by a disjunction between culturally defined goals and the institutionalized means available to achieve them. The resulting strain can lead to deviant behavior as individuals seek alternative avenues to achieve success or give up on the goals altogether.

Question 10

A man tries to find unconventional and even illegal ways of making money. Into what category does this fit, according to Robert Merton's typology?

Accepted Answer

The man trying to find unconventional and even illegal ways of making money fits into the innovation category of Robert Merton's typology. Innovation refers to individuals who accept the goals of society but use unconventional means to achieve them. In this case, the man accepts the goal of making money but uses illegal means to achieve it, making him an innovator.

Question 11

A deviant label transitions from primary to secondary deviance when the deviant label is

Accepted Answer

A deviant label transitions from primary to secondary deviance when the individual internalizes the label and begins to see themselves as deviant. This can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy where they continue to engage in deviant behavior reinforcing the label. Application by a large number of people or someone powerful may contribute to the labeling process but it is not necessary for the transition from primary to secondary deviance. The timing of the label being applied (later in life) does not impact the transition from primary to secondary deviance.

Question 12

W. I. Thomas famously argued that "if men define situations as real,

Accepted Answer

According to W. I. Thomas's theorem, if people define situations as real, then it will have real consequences regardless of its objective reality. The perception of a situation creates the reality of the consequences that follow. Therefore, choice D, "they are real in their consequences," is the best answer.

Question 13

Stealing avocados or almost any other agricultural product is a felony in California if the product is worth more than $100. A ________ would say that such laws target homeless people who have little power in society and are simply trying to eat.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists believe that laws and policies are created and enforced by those in power to maintain their own power and control over those who have less power, such as homeless individuals. Thus, a conflict theorist would argue that laws criminalizing the theft of agricultural products primarily target and harm homeless individuals who are simply trying to survive.

Question 14

________ suggests that individuals learn to be deviant by interacting with others who are already deviant.

Accepted Answer

Differential association theory suggests that individuals learn to be deviant by interacting with others who are already deviant. This theory proposes that people learn criminal behavior through their interactions and relationships with others who engage in criminal activities. The theory suggests that criminal behavior is learned and that it can be reinforced through positive feedback and reinforcement from peers.

Question 15

According to labeling theory, none of the pseudo-patients in David Rosenhan's "On Being Sane in Insane Places" were discovered because

Accepted Answer

According to labeling theory, once a person has been labeled as mentally ill, it is difficult for others to see past that label and view the person as anything other than mentally ill. Therefore, the pseudo-patients in Rosenhan's study were not discovered because they were already labeled as mentally ill and their behaviors were interpreted through that lens, even though they were actually acting normally.

Question 16

Nowhere to Grow by Les Whitbeck and Dan Hoyt explored the lives of homeless and runaway teens in the Midwest. The authors found that "associating with deviant peers" had a dramatic effect on a wide range of deviant behaviors including increasing "the likelihood of serious substance abuse almost 32 times." What theory of deviance considers the way in which such interpersonal relationships help to predict deviant behavior?

Accepted Answer

Differential association theory, developed by Edwin Sutherland, posits that deviant behaviors are learned through associations with others, particularly in close personal relationships. The theory suggests that individuals become deviant based on the people with whom they interact and the values, attitudes, and norms they are exposed to. Thus, associating with deviant peers increases the likelihood of engaging in deviant behavior.

Question 17

Samantha believes that corporations are not punished enough for polluting the planet, manufacturing unsafe products, and manipulating prices while, at the same time, homeless people are punished too much for crimes such as stealing food. She believes we should all have access to basic needs like food regardless of wealth. Samantha has taken a ________ perspective to explain the way deviance is viewed in society.

Accepted Answer

Samantha's perspective emphasizes how power and resource inequalities shape social arrangements and lead to deviant behavior. This aligns with the central tenets of conflict theory, which sees society as a series of struggles between those who benefit from the status quo and those who do not. Structural functionalism focuses on how society works together to maintain stability, while symbolic interactionism emphasizes the importance of shared meanings and interpretations in shaping behavior. Retreatism is a term used in strain theory to refer to individuals who reject both cultural goals and the means of achieving them, while Samantha is advocating for a change in societal structures.

Question 18

Why does Elijah Anderson, in his book Streetwise, argue that young African American men are more likely to be arrested?

Accepted Answer

Elijah Anderson argues that young African American men are more likely to be arrested because they are perceived as more criminal than others, due to the pervasive stereotype of them being dangerous and deviant. This contributes to over-policing and harsher treatment within the criminal justice system.

Question 19

A woman attributes her teenage son's deviant behavior to him "falling in with a bad crowd." Which symbolic interactionist theory of deviance does this explanation MOST closely resemble?

Accepted Answer

The explanation provided by the woman suggests that her son learned deviant behavior from the people he associates with, which is the core assumption of the differential association theory.

Question 20

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?

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.

Quiz 6: Deviance