Question 1

When sociologists stress that deviance is relative,they mean that:
A) relative to criminal acts, deviance is a minor form of nonconformity.
B) it runs in the family, among relatives.
C) whether an act is regarded as deviant or not often depends on the time, place, or individual.
D) deviance is related to more serious criminal offenses.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists stress that deviance is relative because the definition of deviance and what is considered deviant behavior is not fixed across time, place, or individual. What is considered deviant in one culture or society may not be deviant in another. Similarly, what is considered deviant behavior among one group of people may not be seen as deviant among another group. Therefore, deviance is a relative concept and not an absolute one.

Question 2

When driving,we stop at a red light,whether or not a policeman is present.This is a form of:
A) internalized social control.
B) formal social control.
C) externalization.
D) anticipatory socialization.

Accepted Answer

Internalized social control refers to the internalization of societal norms and values, causing individuals to regulate their behavior accordingly without external enforcement. When drivers stop at a red light, regardless of whether a policeman is present, it shows that they have internalized the norm of following traffic rules and regulations, which is an example of internalized social control.

Question 3

effective social control is dependent primarily on:
A) both self-control and informal social controls.
B) both self-control and formal social controls.
C) formal social controls only.
D) self-control only.

Accepted Answer

Effective social control is a combination of both self-control and informal social controls. Self-control involves individuals regulating their own behavior in accordance with social norms and values. Informal social controls refer to the actions of others in society that influence behavior, such as peer pressure and socialization. Together, these two types of social control work to maintain order and promote conformity within society. Formal social controls, such as laws and regulations, also play a role in social control but are less effective without the support of self-control and informal social controls.

Question 4

If caught cheating on this exam,you are likely to be punished by the professor and the university.This is a type of:
A) informal control.
B) formal control.
C) self-control.
D) street-level justice.

Accepted Answer

The punishment for cheating on this exam is a formal control measure, as it is enforced by both the professor and the university. Informal control refers to social norms and expectations, self-control is an individual's ability to regulate their behavior, and street-level justice refers to informal methods of social control used by community members.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of false enforcement?
A) A teen who is not homophobic participates in taunting a gay peer for fear that he will be rejected if he doesn't.
B) A judge gives a violator a longer punishment than deserved because of minimum sentencing guidelines.
C) A parent grounds a teen for marijuana use even though the parent uses marijuana
D) A teacher gives a "problem" student a detention for being late to class, but lets a "good" kid go unpunished.

Accepted Answer

False enforcement is when someone enforces something hypocritically or inconsistently. In this case, the teen is not homophobic but participates in taunting because of fear of rejection, which is a hypocritical and false way of enforcing homophobic behavior.

Question 6

Durkheim first applied the explanation of anomie in his study of:
A) deviance.
B) social control.
C) suicide.
D) crime.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim applied the explanation of anomie in his study of suicide.

Question 7

Extreme tattooing and body modification are used by some people:
A) to demonstrate their membership in a subculture.
B) to recover a sense of control over their body after a traumatic experience.
C) to indicate their rejection of dominant cultural values.
D) All of these are reasons cited for extreme forms of body modification.

Accepted Answer

All three options (membership in a subculture, recovering sense of control, and rejection of dominant cultural values) are cited as reasons for extreme tattooing and body modification.

Question 8

The structural-functional perspective was first applied to the explanation of deviance by:
A) Durkheim.
B) Merton.
C) Sutherland
D) Hirschi.

Accepted Answer

The structural-functional perspective, also known as functionalism, was first applied to the explanation of deviance by Emile Durkheim in his book "The Rules of Sociological Method" (1895). Durkheim argued that deviance is a necessary and functional part of society because it helps to reinforce social norms and values.

Question 9

Formal sanctions are LEAST likely to produce conformity when:
A) the police spend a substantial part of their time trying to eliminate illegal behavior.
B) formal sanctions for illegal behavior are severe.
C) economic conditions make illegal behavior attractive for quick rewards.
D) individuals and groups do not believe that the behavior should be illegal.

Accepted Answer

When individuals and groups do not believe that the behavior should be illegal, formal sanctions are less likely to produce conformity because they do not align with the beliefs and attitudes of those engaging in the behavior. This can lead to resistance and defiance of the formal sanctions.

Question 10

According to the text,the stigma against extreme forms of body modification is strongest when it is practiced by:
A) young people.
B) middle-aged people.
C) women.
D) the middle class.

Accepted Answer

The text states that "women who stretch their necks or lips in certain African tribes are often seen as victims of patriarchal mutilation, while women who get breast implants or tongue splitting are often seen as vain or mentally ill." This suggests that there is a stronger stigma against extreme body modification when it is practiced by women.

Question 11

In the definition of deviance,it is not the act itself that matters,but the:
A) audience.
B) reason for the behavior.
C) intention of the actor.
D) legal definition.

Accepted Answer

Deviance is relative to the audience observing the behavior. What may be considered deviant to one audience may not be deviant to another.

Question 12

Internalization occurs when:
A) a person exercises self-restraint because of fear of what others will think.
B) sanctions such as fines, expulsion, and imprisonment are used to enforce conformity.
C) illegal acts are avoided because of fear of getting caught.
D) we don't even think of violating the norms and values of our group because conformity is a part of our self?concept.

Accepted Answer

Internalization occurs when an individual adopts the values and norms of their group as their own beliefs and values. In this case, individuals conform to these norms without even thinking about violating them, as they are a part of their self-concept. Therefore, option D is the best choice.

Question 13

Sociological theories of deviance tend to emphasize that the reasons for deviance:
A) stem from personality disorders.
B) are based largely on genetic factors.
C) stem from personal disorganization.
D) are found in the social structure of society.

Accepted Answer

Sociological theories of deviance argue that the reasons for deviance are found in the social structure of society, including factors such as unequal distribution of power and resources, cultural values and norms, and socialization processes. This perspective emphasizes the role of social and environmental factors in shaping individuals' behavior, rather than inherent personality traits or genetic factors. The concept of personal disorganization may be relevant within this framework, as it reflects a breakdown in social order and institutions that can contribute to deviant behavior.

Question 14

Alan,a 14-year-old boy,finds himself in a situation where he can steal a digital watch from K-Mart.He decides against the theft because he fears what others would think of him if they found out.In this situation,Alan conforms to society's values because of:
A) formal social controls.
B) informal social controls.
C) aversive social controls.
D) internalization.

Accepted Answer

Alan is conforming to society's values due to informal social controls, which are the unwritten rules and expectations that influence behavior. He is concerned about what others would think of him if they found out that he stole, indicating that he is influenced by the social pressures of his peer group or community. Formal social controls are established rules and laws, aversive social controls involve the use of punishment or negative consequences, and internalization is the process of adopting values and beliefs as one's own. None of these options are as relevant in this situation as informal social controls.

Question 15

Adrianne does not smoke or drink alcohol in front of her family because she is afraid they would disapprove. This is an example of:
A) formal social control.
B) informal social control.
C) aversive social control.
D) internalization.

Accepted Answer

Adrianne's behavior of not smoking or drinking alcohol is governed by the informal norms of her family, which she has internalized due to her fear of disapproval. This is an example of informal social control. Formal social control involves the use of formal institutions like laws and the police, while aversive social control involves the use of punishment or negative consequences to deter behavior. Internalization refers to the process of accepting societal norms and values as one's own.

Question 16

Unpopular norms can continue to exist because of:
A) internalization.
B) negative sanctions.
C) false enforcement.
D) formal social controls.

Accepted Answer

False enforcement occurs when individuals outwardly conform to a norm they privately disagree with, leading to the continuation of unpopular norms.

Question 17

The term used to describe a situation in which the norms of society are unclear or no longer applicable to current conditions is:
A) ambiguity.
B) moral decay.
C) anomie.
D) institutional change.

Accepted Answer

Anomie is a sociological concept that describes a breakdown of social norms, which can occur during periods of rapid social change or in situations where the existing norms are no longer relevant or applicable. This can lead to confusion, disorientation, and a sense of lawlessness or moral decay. Ambiguity refers to a lack of clarity or certainty, and institutional change simply refers to changes in the structures of society or organizations.

Question 18

Citizens sometimes complain that employees in government agencies are more concerned about following the rules,even when this doesn't make sense,than they are about helping citizens.Robert Merton would refer to these employees as:
A) ritualists.
B) conformists.
C) innovators.
D) retreatists.

Accepted Answer

Robert Merton's strain theory suggests that individuals may respond to societal goals and means in different ways. Ritualists are individuals who continue to follow rules and regulations even if they do not believe in them or see their value, simply because they have internalized the pressure to conform to the system. This would apply to employees in government agencies who prioritize rules and regulations over helping citizens, even if it does not make sense.

Question 19

Norm violations that exceed the tolerance level of the community and result in negative sanctions are:
A) deviance.
B) eccentric.
C) rule violations.
D) fun.

Accepted Answer

Norm violations that exceed the tolerance level of the community and result in negative sanctions are considered deviance. Deviance refers to behavior that goes against the norms, values, and expectations of a society or group. When these actions result in negative consequences or disapproval from others, it is considered deviant behavior.

Question 20

Biological and psychological explanations for deviance look for the causes:
A) within society.
B) in the groups a person interacts with.
C) in the processes internal to the individual.
D) in the audience for the behavior.

Accepted Answer

Biological and psychological explanations for deviance look for the causes within the processes internal to the individual, such as genetics or personality traits.

Quiz 6: Deviance, Crime, and Social Control

When sociologists stress that deviance is relative,they mean that:

When driving,we stop at a red light,whether or not a policeman is present.This is a form of:

effective social control is dependent primarily on:

If caught cheating on this exam,you are likely to be punished by the professor and the university.This is a type of:

Which of the following is an example of false enforcement?

Durkheim first applied the explanation of anomie in his study of:

Extreme tattooing and body modification are used by some people:

The structural-functional perspective was first applied to the explanation of deviance by:

Formal sanctions are LEAST likely to produce conformity when:

According to the text,the stigma against extreme forms of body modification is strongest when it is practiced by:

In the definition of deviance,it is not the act itself that matters,but the:

Internalization occurs when:

Sociological theories of deviance tend to emphasize that the reasons for deviance:

Alan,a 14-year-old boy,finds himself in a situation where he can steal a digital watch from K-Mart.He decides against the theft because he fears what others would think of him if they found out.In this situation,Alan conforms to society's values because of:

Adrianne does not smoke or drink alcohol in front of her family because she is afraid they would disapprove. This is an example of:

Unpopular norms can continue to exist because of:

The term used to describe a situation in which the norms of society are unclear or no longer applicable to current conditions is:

Citizens sometimes complain that employees in government agencies are more concerned about following the rules,even when this doesn't make sense,than they are about helping citizens.Robert Merton would refer to these employees as:

Norm violations that exceed the tolerance level of the community and result in negative sanctions are:

Biological and psychological explanations for deviance look for the causes: