Question 1

David Rosenhan sent some of his students to a psychiatric hospital,saying they were "hearing voices." Each pseudo-patient was admitted and diagnosed with a mental disorder.He was illustrating ________ theory.

Accepted Answer

David Rosenhan's experiment was an illustration of labeling theory, which asserts that labels given to individuals have significant effects on their behavior and interactions with others. Rosenhan's study demonstrated how the label of "mentally ill" caused individuals to be treated differently and reinforced stereotypical assumptions about mental illness.

Question 2

Shelly shoplifted once.Her peers on social media have labeled her "shoplifting Shelly," and this label follows her everywhere online and at school.She feels hopeless and shoplifts regularly now to alleviate her anxiety and because it is what everyone expects her to do anyway.Labeling theory would interpret her ongoing shoplifting as:

Accepted Answer

According to labeling theory, secondary deviance occurs when the individual internalizes the label and incorporates it into their self-concept, leading to continued deviant behavior. In this case, Shelly's continued shoplifting can be explained by the label "shoplifting Shelly" and her belief that this is what is expected of her.

Question 3

If a label is said to be "sticky" when referring to deviance,it means that:

Accepted Answer

When a deviant label is described as "sticky," it means that it is difficult for the person who has been labeled to remove or escape from it. This label can stick with them for a long time and can potentially affect how others perceive and interact with them. It does not necessarily mean that the criminal justice system has to get involved, that the Mafia is involved, or that only one person can be labeled.

Question 4

According to Émile Durkheim's research,what is the primary reason that Protestants are more likely to commit suicide than Catholics and Jews?

Accepted Answer

Durkheim argued that Protestantism's emphasis on individualism and personal responsibility led to less social integration, which increased feelings of isolation and contributed to higher suicide rates. Catholics and Jews, on the other hand, have more emphasis on community and social integration.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a symbolic interactionist theory of deviance?

Accepted Answer

Labeling theory is a symbolic interactionist theory that suggests that individuals become deviant because they are labeled as deviant by others. The theory emphasizes the importance of social context and interaction in understanding deviance, rather than individual factors or biological predispositions. Strain theory, normative theory, and functionalist theory are all examples of other theoretical approaches to understanding deviance that do not focus on symbolic interactionism.

Question 6

A person who desires a big mansion and the perfect "American dream" lifestyle,but sells illegal drugs to achieve this,is known by Robert Merton as a(n):

Accepted Answer

Robert Merton's strain theory suggests that people who are unable to achieve their goals through legitimate means often turn to illegitimate ones, leading to different types of adaptations. An innovator is someone who accepts the societal goals but uses unconventional means to achieve them, such as selling drugs to make money for a big mansion and lifestyle.

Question 7

Using Émile Durkheim's definitions,many feminists would say that 1950s housewives were more likely to commit the ________ type of suicide.

Accepted Answer

According to Émile Durkheim, fatalistic suicide occurs when individuals feel too constrained and oppressed by societal norms and regulations. This type of suicide is more likely to occur among people who experience excessive regulation and control over their lives. In the 1950s, many women were expected to conform to rigid gender roles and lead a life solely focused on domestic duties. This could have resulted in feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and a sense of being trapped, which could lead to fatalistic suicide. Therefore, based on Durkheim's definitions, feminists would argue that 1950s housewives were more likely to commit fatalistic suicide.

Question 8

According to Robert Merton,which of the following describes a person who accepts both the goals defined by society and the means to achieve them?

Accepted Answer

According to Robert Merton's Strain Theory, a conformist is a person who accepts both the goals defined by society and the means to achieve them. They pursue success through the approved and legitimate means available in society.

Question 9

Labeling theory focuses on:

Accepted Answer

Labeling theory focuses on the social process through which people become deviants. It examines how society's reaction to an individual's behavior can lead to the individual being labeled as deviant, and how this label can impact their future behavior and life chances. The theory suggests that deviance is not inherent in the individual or their actions, but rather a product of social interactions and the way society labels certain behaviors.

Question 10

What were the types of suicide described by Émile Durkheim?

Accepted Answer

Émile Durkheim described four types of suicide, namely egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic. The answer choices that include these four types are B and C. However, choice B includes "recidivist" instead of "fatalistic," which is incorrect. Therefore, the best choice is C, which correctly identifies the four types of suicide described by Durkheim.

Question 11

Tracy rejects the goals of owning a big house and earning lots of money,which she feels are defined by society.However,she still works hard and follows the rules.Robert Merton would classify Tracy as a(n):

Accepted Answer

Tracy is rejecting the cultural goals defined by society (owning a big house and earning lots of money), but still follows the traditional means of achieving success (working hard and following the rules). Robert Merton's typology classifies such individuals as 'ritualists'.

Question 12

How does social context affect crime,according to the broken windows theory?

Accepted Answer

The broken windows theory proposes that signs of disorder and neglect (such as broken windows) in a community signal that authorities do not care about maintaining order, which in turn encourages further deviant behavior and crime. This suggests that social context plays a role in shaping criminal behavior.

Question 13

What is one difference between street crime and white-collar crime?

Accepted Answer

The main difference between street crime and white-collar crime is the location where they occur. Street crime usually happens in public places, like a street or park, whereas white-collar crime occurs in private, such as a corporate office.

Question 14

The student guards in Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment behaved the way they did because:

Accepted Answer

The student guards in Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment behaved the way they did because they experienced the Lucifer effect, in which they were affected by social surroundings and cultural expectations. This refers to the idea that people's behavior can be dramatically influenced by the context and social roles they find themselves in. In the case of the experiment, the guards were given significant power and authority over the "inmates," which led them to behave in increasingly aggressive and hostile ways.

Question 15

Which of the following is a major difference between the symbolic interactionist (SI)and functionalist perspectives on deviance?

Accepted Answer

The major difference between symbolic interactionism and functionalism regarding deviance is that SI takes a micro-level look at individuals and their interactions, while functionalism takes a macro-level look at social systems. Both perspectives have different views on deviance, but they do not differ in terms of approving or condemning it. Symbolic interactionism sees deviance as a part of social life, whereas functionalism sees it as a threat to society's cohesion. However, neither of them aims to eliminate deviance completely.

Question 16

When an elementary school student is labeled the "class clown" by his teacher and then adopts the persona and lives up to others' expectations by acting silly,the class clown label has become a:

Accepted Answer

The answer of When an elementary school student is labeled...

Question 17

After a student drops out of high school,he becomes labeled a "drop-out," and his subsequent actions and choices are explained in terms of this label.Those subsequent actions are called:

Accepted Answer

Secondary deviance is the subsequent behavior that follows after a person is labeled as deviant or criminal. In this case, the label of "drop-out" leads to further deviant behavior, and the person's subsequent actions are explained in terms of this label.

Question 18

A factory worker wins $10 million in the lottery.He doesn't know what to do with his life anymore or how to spend his time,so he becomes depressed and commits suicide.Émile Durkheim would say he has committed the ________ type of suicide.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim would classify this as an anomic suicide, which occurs when an individual feels disconnected from society's norms and values, often due to sudden changes in their social or economic circumstances, such as winning a large sum of money.

Question 19

Jennifer goes out at night with a spray can and writes on a stop sign.She successfully vandalizes for the first time.Labeling theorists would call this ________ deviance.

Accepted Answer

Labeling theorists differentiate between primary deviance and secondary deviance. Primary deviance refers to the initial act of violating a norm, while secondary deviance involves high levels of deviant behavior and identification as a deviant by society. In this case, Jennifer's act of vandalism is her first offense and therefore falls under the category of primary deviance. Choice C is the correct answer. Social control refers to the processes and mechanisms used by society to regulate individual behavior. Stigmatized deviance refers to deviant behavior that is highly disapproved of by society and may lead to the individual being labeled as a social outcast. Neither of these terms accurately describe Jennifer's situation. Therefore, choices A and B are incorrect.

Question 20

According to Howard S.Becker,why do marijuana smokers enjoy using the drug?

Accepted Answer

Howard S. Becker's labeling theory suggests that individuals engage in a social process where they learn to define certain behaviors as deviant or acceptable. Marijuana smokers also engage in this process and learn to define their experience as fun and pleasurable through social interactions and media portrayal. This aligns with choice A.

Quiz 6: Social Control and Deviance