Question 1

According to sociologist Howard Becker, __________ are often the ones who create the rules about what constitutes deviant or conventional behavior. Becker believes that these individuals use their own perspectives on "right" and "wrong" to establish the rules by which they expect other people to live.

Accepted Answer

Howard Becker describes moral entrepreneurs as individuals who create and promote rules about what is deviant or conventional behavior based on their own moral and ethical perspectives. They believe that their values and beliefs should be followed by others and work to establish and enforce rules that reflect their worldview. Therefore, the best choice is B, moral entrepreneurs.

Question 2

A branch of the __________ perspective, Marxist/critical theory views deviance and crime as a result of the capitalist economic system. This theory is based on the assumption that the laws and the criminal justice system protect the power and privilege of the capitalist class.

Accepted Answer

Marxist/critical theory is a branch of the conflict perspective, which sees society as a struggle for power between different groups. This theory argues that the capitalist economic system creates inequality and that the laws and criminal justice system are designed to protect the interests of the ruling class.

Question 3

Sociologist Edwin Sutherland's __________ theory states that people have a greater tendency to deviate from societal norms when they frequently interact with individuals who are more favorable toward deviance than conformity.

Accepted Answer

Edwin Sutherland's theory is known as differential association theory which emphasizes that people's behavior is influenced by their associations and interactions with others. This theory suggests that the more a person interacts with individuals who have deviant attitudes, values, and beliefs, the more likely they are to engage in deviant behaviors themselves. This theory assumes that all behavior, whether conventional or deviant, is learned through social interactions with others. Thus, differential association theory emphasizes the importance of socialization processes and the role of peer groups, family, and other social influences in shaping an individual's behavior.

Question 4

During the mid-1970s, practitioners of the __________ theory maintained that women's crime rates were going to increase significantly as a result of the women's liberation movement.

Accepted Answer

The emancipation theory suggested that as women gained more freedom and opportunities through the women's liberation movement, their crime rates would increase due to greater participation in traditionally male-dominated activities, including criminal behavior.

Question 5

According to the __________, power differentials are evident in how victims of crime are treated. For example, when the victims are wealthy, white, and male, law enforcement officials are more likely to put forth more extensive efforts to apprehend the perpetrator.

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective focuses on power differentials in society and how they affect different groups' experiences. In this case, it highlights how law enforcement may prioritize investigating crimes against wealthy, white, and male victims over others.

Question 6

The __________ feminist approach explains women's deviance and crime as a rational response to the gender discrimination that women experience in families and the workplace.

Accepted Answer

The liberal feminist approach posits that women's deviance and crime can be seen as a rational response to the gender discrimination they face in various spheres of life, including in families and the workplace. This perspective emphasizes the need for equal opportunities and rights as a way to address these issues.

Question 7

__________ focus on social processes, such as how people develop a self-concept and learn conforming behavior through socialization. According to this approach, deviance is learned in the same way as conformity-through engagement with others.

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionists focus on social processes and how individuals learn conforming behavior through socialization. They also believe that deviance is learned in the same way as conformity, through interaction with others.

Question 8

The fact that drug laws enacted early in the 20ᵗʰ century were actively enforced in an effort to control immigrant workers, especially the Chinese, who were being exploited by the railroads and other industries, illustrates __________.

Accepted Answer

Marxist critical theory emphasizes the role of power and oppression in the formation and enforcement of laws. In this case, drug laws were used to control and exploit immigrant workers, particularly the Chinese. This reflects the Marxist belief that laws are often created to serve the interests of those in power and to maintain the status quo.

Question 9

Research shows that __________ are more likely to be perceived as members of the dangerous classes and receive stricter sentences in criminal courts.

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that young, single, urban males are more likely to be perceived as members of the dangerous classes and receive stricter sentences in criminal courts. This is due to stereotypical beliefs about violent behavior being more common in urban areas and among young, single men.

Question 10

Although there is no single feminist perspective on deviance and crime, three schools of thought have emerged. Which of the following is not one of the feminist approaches identified in the text?

Accepted Answer

The three feminist approaches identified in the text are the liberal feminist approach, radical feminist approach, and Marxist (socialist) feminist approach. The conservative feminist approach is not mentioned as one of the approaches in the text.

Question 11

Criminologist Ronald Akers created the __________ theory, which combines differential association theory with elements of psychological learning theory, suggesting that both deviant behavior and conventional behavior are learned through the same social processes.

Accepted Answer

Ronald Akers created the differential reinforcement theory, which combines differential association theory with elements of psychological learning theory, suggesting that both deviant behavior and conventional behavior are learned through the same social processes.

Question 12

According to sociologist Edwin Lemert, several stages may occur in the labeling process. __________ deviance refers to the initial act of rule-breaking.

Accepted Answer

According to Edwin Lemert, primary deviance is the initial act of rule-breaking, which may or may not be noticed or labeled by others. The subsequent stages include secondary deviance, in which a person internalizes the label and begins to identify with it, and career deviance, in which the person's deviant behavior becomes a central part of their identity and lifestyle. Tertiary deviance may involve rejecting the label and attempting to redefine the behavior as non-deviant.

Question 13

Based on the symbolic interaction theory of sociologists Charles H. Cooley and George H. Mead, the __________ theory states that deviance is a socially constructed process in which social control agencies designate certain people as deviants, and they, in turn, come to accept the marker placed upon them and begin to act accordingly.

Accepted Answer

The theory described is the labeling theory, which is based on the symbolic interactionism perspective of Cooley and Mead. It posits that deviance is not inherent in an act, but rather it is designated as such by society's reaction to the act. This reaction includes assigning a label to the person who committed the act, which can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy of continued deviant behavior.

Question 14

Sociologist Walter Reckless suggest that many people do not resort to deviance because of __________ containments such as self-control, a sense of responsibility, and resistance to diversions.

Accepted Answer

Reckless' concept of containment theory states that individuals who have inner containment factors such as self-control and a sense of responsibility are less likely to engage in deviant behavior. Outer containments, such as formal and informal social control mechanisms, may also play a role in preventing deviance, but inner containments are seen as the primary factor.

Question 15

The __________ views the cause of women's crime as originating in patriarchy (male domination over females). This approach focuses on social forces that shape women's lives and experiences and shows how exploitation may trigger deviant behavior and criminal activities.

Accepted Answer

The radical feminist approach believes that the cause of women's crime is rooted in patriarchy, and that social forces shape women's experiences, exploitation, and triggering of deviant behavior and criminal activities.

Question 16

Sociologist Walter Reckless suggested that many people do not resort to deviance because of __________ such as supportive family and friends, reasonable social expectations, and supervision by others.

Accepted Answer

Walter Reckless proposed the containment theory, which includes "outer containments" like supportive family and friends, reasonable social expectations, and supervision by others that help prevent deviance.

Question 17

According to sociologist Walter Reckless' __________ theory, society produces pushes and pulls that move people toward criminal behavior; however, some people "insulate" themselves from such pressures by having positive self-esteem and good group cohesion.

Accepted Answer

Walter Reckless' theory is known as the "control theory," which suggests that individuals resist criminal behavior due to internal and external controls, such as self-esteem and group cohesion.

Question 18

The __________ feminist approach is based on the assumption that women are exploited by both capitalism and patriarchy. From this approach, women's criminal behavior is linked to gender conflict created by the economic and social struggle that often takes place in postindustrial societies.

Accepted Answer

The Marxist (socialist) feminist approach is based on the assumption that women are exploited by both capitalism and patriarchy. This approach links women's criminal behavior to gender conflict created by economic and social struggle in postindustrial societies where women are further marginalized by the capitalist/patriarchal system.

Question 19

A person may shoplift an item of clothing from a department store but not be apprehended or labeled as a deviant. The person may subsequently decide to forgo such behavior in the future. This example illustrates what stage of deviance?

Accepted Answer

This example illustrates the primary stage of deviance, where the individual engages in an act that is considered deviant but is not caught or labeled as such, and it does not affect their self-identity or lead to further deviant behavior.

Question 20

Based on sociologist Travis Hirschi's social bonding theory, which of the following factors was not identified?

Accepted Answer

Travis Hirschi's social bonding theory identifies attachment to other people, commitment to conformity, and involvement in conventional activities as factors that can prevent individuals from engaging in deviant behavior. However, willingness to rebel against authority is not a factor that Hirschi identifies as contributing to social bonding and conformity.

Quiz 6: Deviance and Crime.