Question 1

According to sociologist Howard Becker,______________are often the ones who create the rules about what constitutes deviant or conventional behavior.Becker believes that these individuals use their own perspectives on "right" and "wrong" to establish the rules by which they expect other people to live.

Accepted Answer

Howard Becker suggests that moral entrepreneurs are the ones who create and promote the rules about deviant and conventional behavior. These individuals often have strong opinions and beliefs about what is right and wrong, and they use their influence to shape societal norms and expectations. Moral entrepreneurs can be anyone from politicians to religious leaders to community activists.

Question 2

The______________theory of deviance states that deviant behavior occurs when a person weighs the costs and benefits of nonconventional or criminal behavior and determines that the benefits will outweigh the risks involved in such actions.

Accepted Answer

The rational choice theory of deviance posits that individuals engage in deviant behavior after weighing the potential rewards against the potential risks. This theory assumes that people are rational and will choose to engage in criminal or deviant behavior if the perceived benefits outweigh the costs. It is a rational choice because the individual chooses the behavior which offers the highest benefit-to-cost ratio.

Question 3

The______________feminist approach is based on the assumption that women are exploited by both capitalism and patriarchy.From this approach,women's criminal behavior is linked to gender conflict created by the economic and social struggle that often takes place in postindustrial societies.

Accepted Answer

The Marxist (socialist) feminist approach argues that women are exploited by both capitalism and patriarchy. This approach suggests that women's criminal behavior is linked to the economic and social struggles that occur in postindustrial societies. Therefore, the best choice is C. The liberal feminist approach focuses more on individual rights and opportunities for women. The radical feminist approach views gender oppression as the primary form of oppression, while the conservative approach typically emphasizes traditional gender roles and values.

Question 4

Power differentials are evident in how criminals are pursued.When the suspects are young,single,urban males,law enforcement officials are______________to perceive the suspect as a criminal and give him a stricter sentence.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that law enforcement officials are more likely to perceive young, single, urban males as criminals and give them harsher sentences. This is due to power differentials in society that result in biases and stereotypes.

Question 5

Based on the symbolic interaction theory of sociologists Charles.H.Cooley and George H.Mead,the______________theory states that deviance is a socially constructed process in which social control agencies designate certain people as deviants and they,in turn,come to accept the marker placed upon them and begin to act accordingly.

Accepted Answer

The labeling theory, based on the symbolic interaction theory of Cooley and Mead, posits that deviance is a social construct created by societal norms and values, and that deviants are labeled as such by social control agencies. Once labeled, individuals may internalize the label and act accordingly, perpetuating their deviant behavior. This theory focuses on the importance of social context and how norms and values can shape behavior.

Question 6

The______________views the cause of women's crime as originating in patriarchy (male domination over females).This approach focuses on social forces that shape women's lives and experiences and shows how exploitation may trigger deviant behavior and criminal activities.

Accepted Answer

The radical feminist approach views the cause of women's crime as originating in patriarchy, which is male domination over females. This approach focuses on social forces that shape women's lives and experiences and shows how exploitation may trigger deviant behavior and criminal activities. This perspective suggests that women's criminal behavior is a direct result of their oppression and subordination in a male-dominated society.

Question 7

According to sociologist______________,people with economic and political power define as criminal any behavior that threatens their own interests.The powerful use law to control those who are without power.

Accepted Answer

Richard Quinney developed the theory of the social reality of crime, which argues that crime is a product of power relationships and often reflects the interests of those in power. According to Quinney, those with economic and political power define what is criminal based on their own interests and use the law to control those who are without power.

Question 8

Prostitution might be explained as a reflection of society's double standard,whereby it is acceptable for a man to pay for sex but unacceptable for a woman to accept money for such services.This explanation reflects a______________feminist approach.

Accepted Answer

The explanation reflects a radical feminist approach, which argues that prostitution is a form of patriarchal oppression that perpetuates gender inequality and reinforces the subordination of women. Radical feminists see prostitution as a reflection of the wider social and economic conditions that foster sex trafficking and exploitation, and they advocate for the abolition of prostitution and the criminalization of the demand for paid sex.

Question 9

According to sociologist Walter Reckless'______________theory,society produces pushes and pulls that move people toward criminal behavior;however,some people "insulate" themselves from such pressures by having positive self-esteem and good group cohesion.

Accepted Answer

Reckless' theory is called containment theory, which suggests that individuals are pushed towards crime by societal factors but can be contained by internal factors such as positive self-esteem and group cohesion.

Question 10

Instead of freeing women from their problems,prostitution institutionalizes women's dependence on men and results in a form of female sexual slavery.This reflects a______________feminist approach.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instead of freeing women from their problems,prostitution...

Question 11

The______________suggests that most people who commit crimes do not engage in random acts of antisocial behavior.Instead,they make careful decisions based on weighing the available information regarding situational factors (such as the place of the crime)and personal factors (such as what rewards they may gain from their criminal behavior).

Accepted Answer

The rational choice theory suggests that criminals make careful decisions based on the available information regarding situational and personal factors, weighing the potential rewards against the risks of punishment or detection. This theory views criminal behavior as a result of rational decision-making, rather than impulsive or uncontrollable acts, and suggests that crime can be reduced by altering the costs and benefits associated with criminal behavior.

Question 12

From the______________,lower-income and minority women typically have fewer opportunities not only for education and good jobs,but also for "high end" criminal endeavors.

Accepted Answer

The answer of From the______________,lower-income and minority women typically have...

Question 13

The______________feminist approach explains women's deviance and crime as a rational response to the gender discrimination that women experience in families and the workplace.

Accepted Answer

The liberal feminist approach posits that women's deviance and crime can be seen as a rational response to the gender discrimination they face in various spheres of life, including in families and the workplace. This perspective emphasizes the need for equal opportunities and rights as a way to address these issues.

Question 14

Criminologist Ronald Akers created the______________theory,which combines differential association theory with elements of psychological learning theory,suggesting that both deviant behavior and conventional behavior are learned through the same social processes.

Accepted Answer

The theory described in the question is differential reinforcement theory. The theory states that both deviant behavior and conventional behavior are learned through the same social processes, specifically the rewards and punishments associated with those behaviors. It combines differential association theory, which suggests that individuals learn deviant behavior through their social interactions and relationships, with elements of psychological learning theory, which explains learning as a result of reinforcement, either positive or negative.

Question 15

Many people do not resort to deviance because of______________such as supportive family and friends,reasonable social expectations,and supervision by others.

Accepted Answer

Outer containments include external factors such as social support from family and friends, social norms that discourage deviant behavior, and external monitoring and supervision from authority figures. Internal containments refer to an individual's own internal processes, such as a sense of morality and self-control. External containments are similar to outer containments but refer specifically to external factors that keep individuals from deviating, while formal containments are more related to the legal system and the threat of punishment. Therefore, outer containments best describe the factors that keep individuals from resorting to deviance.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a component of sociologist Travis Hirschi's social bonding theory?

Accepted Answer

The willingness to rebel against authority is not a component of Travis Hirschi's social bonding theory. The theory includes the components of attachment to other people, commitment to conformity, and involvement in conventional activities as factors that can prevent individuals from engaging in deviant behavior.

Question 17

The______________theory views deviance and crime as a function of the capitalist economic system.It is based on the assumption that the laws and the criminal justice system protect the power and privilege of the capitalist class.

Accepted Answer

The Marxist/critical theory is based on the belief that deviance and crime are a result of the capitalist economic system, which creates inequalities and fosters a power struggle between the ruling capitalist class and the working class. This theory suggests that the laws and criminal justice system are used to maintain the interests of the capitalist class, protecting their power and privilege while punishing those who threaten their dominance.

Question 18

Many people do not resort to deviance because of______________containments such as self-control,a sense of responsibility,and resistance to diversions.

Accepted Answer

The question asks about factors that prevent people from engaging in deviant behavior. "Containments such as self-control, a sense of responsibility, and resistance to diversions" suggest that these are internal factors, which would be categorized as inner containments. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Question 19

Sociologist Travis Hirschi's______________theory holds that the probability of deviant behavior increases when a person's ties to society are weakened or broken.

Accepted Answer

Travis Hirschi's theory is known as social bond theory, which emphasizes the importance of strong social bonds (attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief) in deterring individuals from engaging in deviant behavior. When these social bonds weaken, individuals may have a higher likelihood of engaging in deviant behavior. The other choices, containment, illegitimate opportunity, and differential association, are all different theories of deviance.

Question 20

Sociologist Edwin Sutherland's______________theory states that people have a greater tendency to deviate from societal norms when they frequently affiliate with individuals who are more favorable toward deviance than conformity.

Accepted Answer

Edwin Sutherland's theory is known as differential association, which suggests that people learn deviant behaviors from others in their social environment, particularly those who have more experience with and positive attitudes toward deviance. This can lead individuals to adopt the same deviant behaviors and attitudes, due to their association with these peers.

Quiz 7: Deviance and Crime