Question 1

Which of the following theories argues that all members of society subscribe to the cultural values of the middle class?

Accepted Answer

Strain theory posits that societal norms, particularly those of the middle class, are universally accepted across different social strata. However, the inability of some individuals to achieve these norms through legitimate means leads to strain, which can result in deviant behavior. This theory suggests that the values and goals are common, but the means to achieve them are not equally accessible to everyone.

Question 2

The structural-functionalist perspective was developed by

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim is credited with developing the structural-functionalist perspective, which focuses on how various parts of society function to maintain stability and order.

Question 3

Durkheim's concept of anomie was intended to explain

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's concept of anomie refers to a state of normlessness or a breakdown in the ability of society to regulate the expectations of its members, which he primarily associated with the causes of suicide in his sociological study.

Question 4

Merton's theory of anomie emphasizes

Accepted Answer

Merton's theory of anomie focuses on the disjunction between culturally prescribed goals and the institutionalized means available to achieve them, leading to strain and potentially deviant behavior.

Question 5

Which of the following is not one of the modes of adaptation discussed by Merton?

Accepted Answer

Merton's modes of adaptation include conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. Conflict is not one of the modes discussed by Merton in his strain theory.

Question 6

People who adapt by __________ reject both the cultural goals and the legitimate means to attain those goals.

Accepted Answer

The answer of People who adapt by __________ reject both...

Question 7

Merton and his followers believe that the greatest proportion of crime will be found

Accepted Answer

Merton's strain theory suggests that crime is most likely to occur in lower socioeconomic classes. This is because individuals in these classes experience more strain or pressure due to their inability to achieve societal goals through legitimate means, leading them to resort to crime.

Question 8

In a study of 190 U.S. cities with populations of 100,000 or more, researchers found that both inequality and __________ are related to homicide rates.

Accepted Answer

Poverty is often linked to higher homicide rates in studies examining social determinants of crime, as it can exacerbate conditions that lead to violence.

Question 9

Merton's theory has been criticized for which of the following reasons?

Accepted Answer

Merton's theory, which focuses on social structures and their influence on deviance, has been criticized for overlooking crimes by the middle and upper classes, assuming a uniformity in societal goals, and failing to account for seemingly irrational, destructive behavior. These criticisms highlight perceived limitations in the theory's scope and applicability across different social strata and behaviors.

Question 10

Which of the following is not a manifestation of the dominance of economic institutions according to Messner and Rosenfeld?

Accepted Answer

Messner and Rosenfeld's theory on the dominance of economic institutions suggests that economic institutions overshadow other societal institutions, leading to the devaluation of noneconomic roles and functions, the accommodation of other institutions to economic needs, and the penetration of economic norms into all areas of life. The absence of economic success is not considered a manifestation of the dominance of economic institutions; rather, their theory focuses on how economic success is prioritized to the detriment of other societal values and functions.

Question 11

Which of the following is not a strain-producing event discussed by Agnew?

Accepted Answer

Agnew's General Strain Theory primarily focuses on strains related to the failure to achieve positively valued goals (B), the presentation of negative stimuli (C), and the removal of positively valued stimuli (D). Strain caused by social disorganization (A) is not specifically discussed by Agnew as a strain-producing event in his theory.

Question 12

Which of the following programs was designed to address the disparity between goals and means in society?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following programs was designed...

Question 13

Which of the following is True of social disorganization theory?

Accepted Answer

Social disorganization theory focuses on how the breakdown of social bonds and conventional values in rapidly changing urban environments, such as those caused by industrialization and immigration, leads to high-crime areas.

Question 14

Cultural deviance theorists argue that

Accepted Answer

Cultural deviance theory suggests that different groups within society have their own norms and values, which may conflict with mainstream societal norms, leading to behavior that is considered deviant or criminal by the larger society.

Question 15

Park and Burgess advanced the study of social disorganization by introducing _________ into the study of human society.

Accepted Answer

Park and Burgess introduced ecological analysis into the study of human society, focusing on how the physical environment and community organization influence social disorganization.

Question 16

Though the work of social ecologists has had a significant impact, it has been criticized for

Accepted Answer

Social ecologists have been criticized for focusing on the transmission of crime patterns rather than the origins of these patterns.

Question 17

In 1939, Edwin Sutherland introduced the ___________ theory in Principles of Criminology.

Accepted Answer

Edwin Sutherland introduced the differential association theory in his book "Principles of Criminology" in 1939. This theory suggests that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others.

Question 18

Edwin Sutherland's differential association theory suggests that _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Edwin Sutherland's differential association theory suggests that...

Question 19

In formulating his differential association theory, Sutherland relied heavily on the findings of _______ and _______ that delinquent values are transmitted within a community or group from one generation to the next.

Accepted Answer

Shaw and McKay's research on juvenile delinquency in Chicago neighborhoods significantly influenced Sutherland's differential association theory, emphasizing the transmission of delinquent values within communities.

Question 20

If a clash occurs at the borders between neighboring cultural areas, this is an example of what type of conflict?

Accepted Answer

A clash at the borders between neighboring cultural areas is an example of a primary conflict, which is a conflict between two or more groups of people who have different cultures.

Quiz 5: Strain and Cultural Deviance Theories