Question 1

Which of the following examples typifies strain, according to new interpretations of strain theory?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following examples typifies strain,...

Question 2

Which of the following theories interprets the responses of others as the most significant factor in understanding how deviant behavior is created and sustained?

Accepted Answer

Labeling theory interprets deviant behavior as a result of societal reactions and the labeling of individuals as deviant. It suggests that individuals become deviant as a result of being labeled as deviant by societal institutions, leading to self-fulfilling prophecies and continued deviant behavior.

Question 3

Scholars contend that __________ and __________ are two factors that affect the likelihood of committing a crime?

Accepted Answer

Scholars argue that the two factors that influence the likelihood of committing a crime are the certainty of punishment and the severity of the punishment. When people perceive that they are likely to be caught and punished, or that the punishment for a particular crime is severe, they are less likely to commit the offense. This is why increasing the certainty and severity of punishment is often considered a key approach to reducing crime rates.

Question 4

Which theory of deviance tries to explain why individuals do not commit crime?

Accepted Answer

Social control theory focuses on why individuals do not commit crime, proposing that individuals are deterred from deviant behavior by their attachment to social institutions such as family, school, and community.

Question 5

Which of the following crimes best exemplifies white-collar crime?

Accepted Answer

Embezzling from work is a type of white-collar crime as it involves using one's position of trust and authority to illegally funnel money or assets from an organization. This type of crime is generally committed by professionals such as executives or employees of financial institutions or large corporations. Stealing a purse and simple assault are examples of street or violent crimes, while telling a lie to a friend may be considered a minor ethics violation or social offense.

Question 6

Read the vignette and answer the questions that follow.
After being rounded up by the cops last Saturday night, three men sit in jail pondering their condition and how they ended up incarcerated. All of them are in jail for different reasons and have different backgrounds. All of them are fairly young, in their teenage years, and very poor. John and Franky have been arrested for the first time; Arny has been in and out of the justice system since he was a child. John has been arrested for stealing an engagement ring. He had no money to buy the ring. Franky and Arny have both been arrested for assault. The only other background information we have about the three men is that Franky is a member of the Bloods, a violent gang located in the surrounding area and that Arny has been in jail for assault many times in the past.
-Given the information in this vignette, which theory best explains Franky's decision to commit a crime?

Accepted Answer

Franky's affiliation with the violent gang, as mentioned in the vignette, suggests that he may have been influenced by the attitudes of his peers and exposed to criminal behavior, which aligns with the differential association theory.

Question 7

Sampson and Laub's research on delinquent and nondelinquent youths in Boston found delinquency was greater when bonds with which social institutions were weakest?

Accepted Answer

Sampson and Laub's research found that delinquency was greater when bonds with family were weakest. They emphasized the importance of family as a social institution for preventing delinquency and promoting positive behavior in youths.

Question 8

__________ are individuals who seek to challenge either traditional goals or the accepted means of achieving those goals.

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________ are individuals who seek to challenge...

Question 9

Read the vignette and answer the questions that follow.
After being rounded up by the cops last Saturday night, three men sit in jail pondering their condition and how they ended up incarcerated. All of them are in jail for different reasons and have different backgrounds. All of them are fairly young, in their teenage years, and very poor. John and Franky have been arrested for the first time; Arny has been in and out of the justice system since he was a child. John has been arrested for stealing an engagement ring. He had no money to buy the ring. Franky and Arny have both been arrested for assault. The only other background information we have about the three men is that Franky is a member of the Bloods, a violent gang located in the surrounding area and that Arny has been in jail for assault many times in the past.
-Given the information in this vignette, which theory best explains Arny's decision to commit a crime?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Read the vignette and answer the questions...

Question 10

In high school, Janet rarely smoked or drank alcohol. In college, Janet met some friend who spent most of their downtime consuming large amounts of alcohol and other drugs. Soon, she did the same and did not know anyone who did not spend their time that way. Which theory best explains Janet's behavior, given this limited amount of information?

Accepted Answer

The theory of differential association suggests that people become delinquent or engage in deviant behavior as a result of exposure to and association with others who engage in such behavior. In this scenario, Janet was influenced by her college friends who engaged in heavy drinking and drug use, which suggests that she was exposed to this behavior and likely associated with others who engaged in it.

Question 11

Along with deterrence, what other factor has been noted as important to the likelihood of someone committing a crime?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that low self-control is strongly correlated with the likelihood of someone committing a crime. People with low self-control are more impulsive, easily frustrated, and have a tendency to act without thinking through the consequences. This makes them more prone to engaging in criminal behavior. Other factors like self-esteem, self-concept, and self-identity may play a role in criminal behavior, but research has not shown a strong correlation between these factors and criminal behavior.

Question 12

How should a homeless person who decides to live in the woods be represented, according to Merton's typology of deviance?

Accepted Answer

Merton's typology categorizes retreatists as those who reject both societal norms and the means of achieving them. Homelessness and living in the woods can be interpreted as a rejection of societal norms, and the person has retreated from mainstream society to live in a space where they feel comfortable. Therefore, D, "as a retreatist," is the best choice.

Question 13

Pick any major crime committed today. Compare and contrast two theories of deviance to explain why people may commit those crimes. First, review the basic tenants of each theory, then apply one or more components of each theory to explain the deviant behavior. Which theory do you think best explains the deviance? Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Pick any major crime committed today. Compare...

Question 14

Discuss similarities and differences in the ways that interactionists and social structure and personality scholars approach the study of deviance. Use specific examples from the concepts or research reviewed in the chapter.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss similarities and differences in the ways...

Question 15

Read the vignette and answer the questions that follow.
After being rounded up by the cops last Saturday night, three men sit in jail pondering their condition and how they ended up incarcerated. All of them are in jail for different reasons and have different backgrounds. All of them are fairly young, in their teenage years, and very poor. John and Franky have been arrested for the first time; Arny has been in and out of the justice system since he was a child. John has been arrested for stealing an engagement ring. He had no money to buy the ring. Franky and Arny have both been arrested for assault. The only other background information we have about the three men is that Franky is a member of the Bloods, a violent gang located in the surrounding area and that Arny has been in jail for assault many times in the past.
-Given the information in this vignette, which theory best explains John's decision to commit a crime?

Accepted Answer

John's theft of the engagement ring can be explained by strain theory, which suggests that individuals may turn to crime when they experience a disjunction between their goals and their means of achieving them. In this case, John desired an engagement ring but lacked the financial means to obtain one, leading him to steal it.

Quiz 7: The Social Psychology of Deviance