Question 1

The term white collar crime was coined by sociologist ________ to refer to crimes that people of respectable social status commit in the course of their occupation.

Accepted Answer

Edwin Sutherland coined the term white collar crime in his 1939 book "White Collar Crime: The Uncut Version." He defined this type of crime as "a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation." It includes crimes such as embezzlement, fraud, insider trading, and bribery, among others.

Question 2

According to strain theory, the underlying cause of deviance is that people experience a sense of normlessness. This sense of normlessness is referred to as ________.

Accepted Answer

According to strain theory, the underlying cause of deviance is the experience of anomie, a sense of normlessness or a breakdown of social norms. This can be caused by a mismatch between the goals society sets for individuals and the means available to achieve those goals.

Question 3

In an effort to resist the label of "deviant," most people will develop rationales to justify their deviant acts. Sykes and Matza refer to these rationales as ________.

Accepted Answer

Sykes and Matza refer to these rationales as techniques of neutralization. These techniques allow individuals to temporarily suspend their commitment to conventional values and justify their deviant behavior.

Question 4

All of the following acts qualify as a white collar crime EXCEPT for which one?

Accepted Answer

A bank teller robbing the First National bank would be classified as a traditional or violent crime, not a white collar crime. White collar crimes typically involve people in positions of power or trust who use their influence to commit nonviolent crimes for financial gain. Options B, C, and D all involve individuals in positions of power or trust exploiting their positions for financial gain, which would be classified as white collar crimes.

Question 5

The crime with the highest increase among women between 1992 and 2008 was ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The crime with the highest increase among...

Question 6

Based on the 2011 edition of the Statistical Abstract in the United States, the state with the lowest rate of violent crime in America is ________, while the state with the highest rate of violent crime is ________.

Accepted Answer

According to the 2011 edition of the Statistical Abstract in the United States, Maine had the lowest rate of violent crime and Nevada had the highest rate of violent crime. The other options listed do not match the data from the Statistical Abstract.

Question 7

The early sociologist who argued that deviance might be functional for society was ________.

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim argued that deviance might be functional for society as it helps in reinforcing norms and values, promoting social unity, and providing a sense of collective identity. He believed that some level of deviance is necessary for society to function properly.

Question 8

Sociologists who view law as an instrument of oppression used to control workers are aligned most with which sociological perspective?

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective focuses on power differentials and how they result in conflict and oppression. Sociologists who view law as an instrument of oppression used to control workers are aligned most closely with this perspective, as they believe that the law is used to maintain the power of those in charge and control the behavior of those without power (such as workers).

Question 9

According to Cloward and Ohlin, what is the underlying cause of deviance and delinquency in unstable slums of a city?

Accepted Answer

Cloward and Ohlin argue that the underlying cause of deviance and delinquency in unstable slums of a city is the presence of illegitimate opportunity structures, which arise when there is a lack of legitimate economic opportunities available for residents in disadvantaged neighborhoods. These illicit opportunities can include drug trafficking, prostitution, and other illegal activities that provide a way for individuals to obtain wealth and status outside of traditional means.

Question 10

The ________ theory developed by Robert Merton is based on the idea that most people want to attain cultural goals, but not everyone has the legitimate means of achieving them.

Accepted Answer

The strain theory, developed by Robert Merton, argues that individuals may experience strain or frustration when they are unable to achieve culturally valued goals through legitimate means. This can lead to deviant behavior as individuals seek alternative means of achieving these goals.

Question 11

Matthew and Ryan are devout Christian Fundamentalists and believe that homosexuality is against God's will and that homosexuals deserve to be punished. They spend a couple evenings each week in gay bashing activities that include physical violence and verbal assaults. Based on their rationalization, which technique of neutralization is most applicable for Matthew and Ryan to maintain positive self-images?

Accepted Answer

Denial of a victim is the technique of neutralization most applicable here, as Matthew and Ryan likely justify their actions by viewing homosexuals not as victims but as violators of their moral or religious beliefs, thus rationalizing their behavior as deserved or justified.

Question 12

Cloward and Ohlin addressed the street hustler as a role model for youth and the methods used to earn easy money through a life of crime. What did they call this career path of delinquency?

Accepted Answer

Cloward and Ohlin called this career path of delinquency the "illegitimate opportunity structure" which refers to the lack of access to legitimate opportunities and the presence of illicit ones like drug dealing or theft. They argued that these structures were particularly prevalent in disadvantaged communities, which resulted in high rates of youth delinquency.

Question 13

John desires the best things in life - a fast car, designer clothes, and membership in exclusive clubs. But rather than work his way through the system, he has discovered he can have all these things by selling crack cocaine in the inner city. How would Merton classify John?

Accepted Answer

Merton's strain theory suggests that individuals who seek material success but are unable to achieve it through legitimate means become "innovators" and turn to illegal activities such as drug dealing to achieve their goals. John fits this description as he desires material success and turns to selling drugs as a means of achieving it.

Question 14

When Anthony worked as a prison counselor he would often ask property offenders why they committed the crime. The overwhelming response was, "I had to feed my family." How would Sykes and Matza classify this response?

Accepted Answer

Sykes and Matza's techniques of neutralization include "appeal to higher loyalties," which refers to the idea that the offender may justify their criminal behavior by claiming they were compelled to act out of loyalty to a higher cause or a duty to provide for family.

Question 15

Based on Merton's typologies, what do drug addicts, the homeless, nuns living in a convent, and monks living in a monastery have in common?

Accepted Answer

These groups are considered retreatists because they reject both the cultural goals and the institutional means of achieving them, retreating from society's expectations.

Question 16

In The Scarlet Letter, why was Hester Prynne required to wear a scarlet "A" on her dress?

Accepted Answer

The scarlet "A" on Hester's dress was a form of punishment and public shaming for her adultery. It was a sociological mechanism used to discourage others from committing similar acts and to show the consequences of breaking social norms.

Question 17

The term degradation ceremony was coined by sociologist ________.

Accepted Answer

Harold Garfinkel introduced the term "degradation ceremony" to describe a process by which an individual is stripped of their identity and publicly stigmatized.

Question 18

The significance of names or reputations given to people when they engage in certain types of behavior is the focus of ________ theory.

Accepted Answer

The significance of names or reputations given to people when they engage in certain types of behavior is the focus of labeling theory.

Question 19

Conflict theorists classify the few who own the means of production as ________.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists view the owners of the means of production as capitalists.

Question 20

All of the following theories follow the principles of symbolic interactionism EXCEPT for which one?

Accepted Answer

Strain theory, unlike differential association, control, and labeling theories, does not primarily focus on the symbolic interactions and meanings that individuals ascribe to their actions and social roles. Instead, it emphasizes the societal pressures that drive individuals to commit deviant acts.

Quiz 8: Deviance and Social Control