Question 1

A behavior comes to be defined as deviant because
A)it is contrary to a moral code.
B)most believe that it is deviant.
C)it is publicly labeled as deviant.
D)it is inherently and profoundly wrong.

Accepted Answer

Deviance is socially constructed, meaning it is defined by society and its members. A behavior is labeled as deviant when it is publicly labeled as such by society. It is not necessarily inherently or profoundly wrong, and is not solely determined by personal beliefs or morality.

Question 2

What did Emile Durkheim mean by collective conscience?
A)collective guilt
B)shared values,norms,and beliefs
C)capacity for morality
D)ability to distinguish right from wrong

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim meant by collective conscience that it is the shared values, norms, and beliefs that hold a society together. It is the collective understanding of what is right and wrong, good and bad, and acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

Question 3

From the functionalist perspective,a society without deviance would be excessively conformist.Such a society would
A)be close to an ideal society.
B)be highly productive and innovative.
C)strive for perfection.
D)limit change and innovation.

Accepted Answer

According to the functionalist perspective, deviance serves a purpose in society by creating social change and innovation. Without deviance, a society would lack the necessary challenges and criticisms that help to push for progress and improvement. Therefore, a society without deviance would limit change and innovation, making it less functional in the long run.

Question 4

Which factor helps define the boundary between normal and deviant?
A)conformity
B)nonconformity
C)use of force
D)conditioning

Accepted Answer

Nonconformity helps define the boundary between normal and deviant, as deviant behavior is often characterized by a lack of conformity to societal norms and expectations.

Question 5

Divorce was once considered deviant,and in many parts of the world,it still is.Americans today hardly think of divorce as something abnormal.Which reason is responsible for the redefinition of divorce as no longer deviant?
A)change in social context
B)social progress
C)decline in morality
D)decline in religious authority

Accepted Answer

The redefinition of divorce as no longer deviant is due to a change in social context. As society has become more individualistic and the emphasis has shifted from maintaining social norms to pursuing personal happiness, divorce has become more accepted as a way for individuals to achieve personal fulfillment.

Question 6

The tendency to define a deviant behavior as an illness,for which treatment is best left to medical professionals,is referred to as ________ deviance.
A)illness
B)medical
C)medicalization of
D)pathology of

Accepted Answer

The term "medicalization of deviance" refers to the process by which deviant behavior is defined as a medical problem and is therefore best addressed by medical treatment. This process often involves labeling behaviors as illnesses or disorders, and it leads to the construction of a medicalized understanding of deviance. So, the best choice is C - medicalization of.

Question 7

What we define as normal and abnormal behavior depends on
A)evidence of abnormality.
B)empirical research.
C)social context.
D)individual opinion.

Accepted Answer

Normal and abnormal behavior can be defined through cultural and social norms. Certain behaviors may be considered normal in one culture or society but abnormal in another. Therefore, social context plays a significant role in determining what is considered normal or abnormal behavior.

Question 8

A child who is continuously derided by his parents as "slow" will internalize this label as part of his identity.Instead of trying to succeed in school,he drops out and turns to drugs and alcohol.This is an example of
A)induced deviance.
B)secondary deviance.
C)social conditioning.
D)strain theory.

Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of secondary deviance, which occurs when a person accepts and begins to live up to a deviant label that has been given to them. In this case, the child has been repeatedly labeled as "slow" by his parents and has internalized this label, causing him to drop out of school and turn to drugs and alcohol.

Question 9

In public we behave ourselves according to a set of rules and expectations,even though no written rules exist to hold us accountable.Why do we still behave "normally"?
A)It is natural.
B)Many rules are implicit.
C)Life is easier if we do so.
D)It is the right thing to do.

Accepted Answer

Many of the rules and expectations that govern our behavior in public are implicit, meaning they are not explicitly written down but are understood by society. We learn these expectations from our upbringing, education, and observation of others, and we follow them to avoid social disapproval or punishment.

Question 10

Those defined as deviant often suffer a ________ attached to their deviance.It is associated with shame,loss of status,discrimination,and social isolation.
A)master status
B)secondary deviance
C)stigma
D)loss of self

Accepted Answer

Stigma refers to the negative social label or mark attached to someone who is seen as deviant, which often leads to social exclusion and discrimination. It can also result in the person being defined primarily by their deviance, becoming their master status, and may even lead to a loss of self. Secondary deviance refers to the process of further engaging in deviant behavior as a result of being labeled as deviant.

Question 11

Deviance is best defined as which of the following?
A)anything outside of the norm
B)behavior that people disapprove of
C)behavior that does not conform to norms and expectations
D)behavior that is inherently abnormal

Accepted Answer

Deviance is behavior that goes against the norms and expectations of society. It is not necessarily abnormal or disliked by all people, but it is outside of what is considered acceptable by the majority. Option A is too broad and does not accurately capture the concept of deviance. Option B is too subjective, as different people may disapprove of different things. Option D implies that deviance is always abnormal, which is not the case.

Question 12

According to Emile Durkheim's definition,an act is deviant or criminal because it
A)offends social norms.
B)is essentially wrong by any standard.
C)is inherently immoral.
D)is illegal.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's definition of deviance is based on the violation of social norms. Deviant behavior is not necessarily immoral or illegal, but becomes so when it goes against commonly accepted societal values and expectations.

Question 13

People sometimes commit acts that contradict most any moral code.From a sociological standpoint,what explains such deviant behavior?
A)individual immorality
B)social immorality
C)a set of social conditions
D)antisocial personality

Accepted Answer

Deviant behavior is often the result of a set of social conditions such as poverty, lack of education, or inequality. These conditions may lead individuals to engage in behavior that contradicts societal norms and moral codes. Additionally, societal structures and institutions may contribute to deviance by creating unequal opportunities and limiting access to resources.

Question 14

From the sociological perspective on deviance,how does a person become an alcoholic?
A)He or she has a very high blood-alcohol level.
B)He or she exhibits behavior indicative of intoxication.
C)He or she commits a public outrage.
D)He or she is labeled as such.

Accepted Answer

According to the sociological perspective on deviance, a person becomes an alcoholic when they are labeled as such by society. This can happen through interactions with family, friends, and healthcare professionals who diagnose their behavior as problematic and classify them as having an addiction. The labeling process can have a profound impact on the individual's self-concept and may contribute to their continued alcohol consumption.

Question 15

How does deviance contribute to group solidarity?
A)Deviance unites people against a common enemy.
B)Overcoming deviance fosters bonding.
C)People with common deviant dispositions bond.
D)Reformed deviants crave group acceptance.

Accepted Answer

Deviance can create a sense of "us vs. them" among the non-deviant members of a group, which can generate solidarity and a stronger sense of community. In other words, when a group defines a certain behavior as deviant, they can come together to oppose or stigmatize that behavior and the people who engage in it, which can create a shared identity and sense of belonging among the non-deviant members.

Question 16

From the functionalist perspective,crime serves a purpose in society.Which function does crime perform?
A)benefits some people economically
B)provides alternative opportunities
C)defines boundaries between right and wrong
D)helps the poor

Accepted Answer

Crime, from a functionalist perspective, helps in defining the boundaries between right and wrong by reinforcing societal norms and values through the punishment of deviant behavior.

Question 17

Which of the following accurately describes deviance?
A)It is defined as immoral and wrong.
B)It resists change.
C)It depends on a public condemnation.
D)It changes with time and context.

Accepted Answer

Deviance is not a fixed or universally agreed upon concept, but rather one that is socially constructed and can vary over time and across contexts. What is considered deviant behavior in one society or historical era may not be considered deviant in another. Therefore, deviance changes with time and context.

Question 18

An ex-convict has a difficult time finding employment because his criminal record has become his
A)master status.
B)secondary deviance.
C)internalized self.
D)designation as abnormal.

Accepted Answer

The concept of a "master status" refers to a societal label that becomes the primary way in which an individual is viewed and treated by others. In this case, the ex-convict's criminal record has likely become his master status, meaning that it is the primary lens through which he is judged and evaluated by potential employers and society more broadly. This can make it difficult for him to find employment, as employers may be hesitant to hire someone with a criminal record and may view him primarily as a "criminal" rather than considering his other qualifications or characteristics.

Question 19

From the sociological perspective,what causes people to engage in deviant behavior?
A)genetic disposition
B)rational choice
C)psychological abnormality
D)loss of morality in society

Accepted Answer

According to the rational choice theory, individuals engage in deviant behavior based on their assessment of the benefits and costs of such behavior. They weigh the potential benefits of deviance, such as personal gain or satisfaction, against the potential costs, such as punishment or social disapproval. Therefore, deviant behavior is a rational choice for those who perceive the benefits to outweigh the costs.

Question 20

A person comes to be considered a deviant when publicly marked with such a designation,and typically acknowledges this definition as part of his or her identity.This is a definition of what theory?
A)strain theory
B)deviance theory
C)labeling theory
D)rational choice theory

Accepted Answer

This is the definition of Labeling Theory, which suggests that individuals become deviant when they are labeled as such by society, and then internalize this label as part of their identity.

Quiz 8: Deviance and Social Control

A behavior comes to be defined as deviant because

What did Emile Durkheim mean by collective conscience?

From the functionalist perspective,a society without deviance would be excessively conformist.Such a society would

Which factor helps define the boundary between normal and deviant?

Divorce was once considered deviant,and in many parts of the world,it still is.Americans today hardly think of divorce as something abnormal.Which reason is responsible for the redefinition of divorce as no longer deviant?

The tendency to define a deviant behavior as an illness,for which treatment is best left to medical professionals,is referred to as ________ deviance.

What we define as normal and abnormal behavior depends on

A child who is continuously derided by his parents as "slow" will internalize this label as part of his identity.Instead of trying to succeed in school,he drops out and turns to drugs and alcohol.This is an example of

In public we behave ourselves according to a set of rules and expectations,even though no written rules exist to hold us accountable.Why do we still behave "normally"?

Those defined as deviant often suffer a ________ attached to their deviance.It is associated with shame,loss of status,discrimination,and social isolation.

Deviance is best defined as which of the following?

According to Emile Durkheim's definition,an act is deviant or criminal because it

People sometimes commit acts that contradict most any moral code.From a sociological standpoint,what explains such deviant behavior?

From the sociological perspective on deviance,how does a person become an alcoholic?

How does deviance contribute to group solidarity?

From the functionalist perspective,crime serves a purpose in society.Which function does crime perform?

Which of the following accurately describes deviance?

An ex-convict has a difficult time finding employment because his criminal record has become his

From the sociological perspective,what causes people to engage in deviant behavior?

A person comes to be considered a deviant when publicly marked with such a designation,and typically acknowledges this definition as part of his or her identity.This is a definition of what theory?