Question 1

Half the American adult population drinks alcohol regularly; this means that we cannot consider alcohol consumption a form of deviance.

Accepted Answer

Just because a behavior is common does not necessarily mean it is not deviant. Deviance is determined by social norms and expectations, and excessive or harmful alcohol consumption may still be considered deviant even if it is widespread.

Question 2

The fact that excessive levels of alcohol consumption can make drinkers incapable of performing their expected institutional roles means that drinking can be regarded as a form of deviance.

Accepted Answer

Excessive levels of alcohol consumption can lead to deviant behavior and can make individuals incapable of performing their expected institutional roles, making it a form of deviance.

Question 3

Most sociologists define deviance by the harm it causes.

Accepted Answer

Most sociologists do not define deviance solely by the harm it causes, but rather as behavior that violates social norms and expectations. While harm may be a factor in determining whether a behavior is deviant or not, it is not the defining characteristic.

Question 4

Heavy drinkers tend to be part of the sectors of the population which are least likely to engage in deviant behavior.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Heavy drinkers are actually more likely to engage in deviant behavior such as crime or risky sexual behavior.

Question 5

Drinking alcoholic beverages on repeated occasions facilitates other deviant activities.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that frequent alcohol consumption is associated with increased likelihood of engaging in various deviant behaviors such as vandalism, theft, drug use, and risky sexual behavior.

Question 6

As a general rule, the higher the social class or SES (socioeconomic status), the greater the likelihood of drinking.

Accepted Answer

This is supported by research that has consistently found a positive correlation between higher income and education levels and greater alcohol consumption. However, it is important to note that this does not mean that everyone in a higher social class drinks heavily, or that people in lower social classes do not drink at all.

Question 7

As a general rule, the higher the SES, the greater the likelihood of binge drinking.

Accepted Answer

Actually, the opposite is true. Studies have shown that individuals from lower SES backgrounds are more likely to engage in binge drinking behaviors. This may be due to social and economic factors such as stress, lack of access to healthcare and supportive resources, and exposure to environments where alcohol is more readily available and accepted. Higher SES individuals may also have more resources to seek treatment or education about responsible alcohol use.

Question 8

Among adults, men are more likely to drink alcohol than women.

Accepted Answer

According to multiple studies and surveys, men are consistently found to be more likely to drink alcohol than women. However, it is important to note that this does not apply to all individuals and there are many factors that can influence drinking habits.

Question 9

All the deviant behaviors, beliefs, and physical characteristics discussed in this book can be looked at from both the essentialistic and the constructionist perspective; one major exception to thus rule is alcohol consumption.

Accepted Answer

The statement is incorrect. Alcohol consumption can also be looked at from both the essentialistic and constructionist perspective, as cultural and social factors play a significant role in shaping attitudes and behaviors towards alcohol.

Question 10

Most research on the subject has found that alcohol abuse and engaging in risky, deviant behavior are likely to co-occur.

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown a correlation between alcohol abuse and engaging in risky, deviant behavior such as substance use, criminal activity, and unsafe sexual practices.

Question 11

Research indicates that the greater the amount that one drinks, the greater the likelihood that one will engage in risky, deviant behavior.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown a correlation between heavy drinking and an increased likelihood of engaging in risky behavior such as driving under the influence, engaging in unprotected sex, and committing crimes.

Question 12

Research indicates that the greater the amount that one drinks, the greater the likelihood that one will become a victim of violent behavior.

Accepted Answer

Studies have linked heavy alcohol consumption with increased risk of experiencing, perpetrating, or being a witness to physical or sexual violence.

Question 13

From a positivistic perspective, a consideration of drug use has as its mission answering the question: Why do some people use illegal drugs?

Accepted Answer

A positivistic perspective seeks to understand behavior through empirical observation, data analysis, and scientific methodology. Therefore, it aims to answer questions such as why people engage in certain behaviors, including drug use.

Question 14

With respect to the constructionist perspective, a consideration of drug use has as its mission answering the question: Why is the use of certain substances regarded as deviant?

Accepted Answer

The constructionist perspective seeks to understand how societal norms and values shape our understanding of deviance, including the labeling of certain drug use as deviant. Therefore, a consideration of drug use from this perspective would aim to understand the social construction of drug use as deviant behavior.

Question 15

A burst of public concern, fear, and media hysteria-a moral panic-erupted in the 1930s over the use of marijuana.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. A moral panic over marijuana use emerged in the 1930s, fueled by biased and sensationalized media coverage and political propaganda.

Question 16

Evidence now suggests that public fear and concern over the "crack babies" issue that erupted in the late 1980s was exaggerated, an example of a "moral panic."

Accepted Answer

Studies and research have shown that the so-called crack babies did not suffer from the extreme physical and cognitive impairments that were initially attributed to them, and that the negative effects of prenatal cocaine exposure were often intertwined with other environmental and social factors. This has led many experts to conclude that the crack babies panic was an overblown phenomenon fueled by media sensationalism and political agendas.

Question 17

On a dose-by-dose basis, the drug or drug type that is most likely to be associated with a drug-related emergency that results in a visit to the emergency department of a hospital is the opiates/opioids.

Accepted Answer

Opiates/opioids are known to be highly addictive and can easily lead to overdose or drug-related emergencies, making them the drug type most commonly associated with visits to the emergency department of a hospital.

Question 18

The illegal use of psychoactive substances can be studied solely and exclusively from a constructionist perspective; it makes no sense whatsoever to adopt an essentialistic or positivistic approach to the study of drug use.

Accepted Answer

The study of illegal psychoactive substance use can benefit from multiple perspectives, including constructionist, essentialist, and positivistic approaches, as each offers unique insights into the complex phenomena of drug use, its societal implications, and biological impacts.

Question 19

The drug that arrestees are most likely to be tested for is marijuana.

Accepted Answer

According to a survey conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, marijuana is the drug that is most commonly tested for among arrestees.

Question 20

The drug that has the highest correspondence between drug tests and what arrestees report that they have recently taken is marijuana.

Accepted Answer

According to a study by the National Institute of Justice, marijuana has the highest correspondence between drug tests and self-reported drug use among arrestees.

Quiz 7: Substance Abuse