Question 1

Which of the following is a key criticism of social process theories?

Accepted Answer

Social process theories do not explain geographical and seasonal fluctuations in crime rates.

Question 2

Research attempts that have been made to verify the assumptions of neutralization theory have been inconclusive.

Accepted Answer

While there have been some studies that support neutralization theory, overall the research has been inconclusive in verifying its assumptions.

Question 3

Children who fail in school are more likely to commit more serious offences that persist into adulthood.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between academic failure in childhood and antisocial behavior in adulthood, including delinquency, substance abuse, and criminal offenses. Factors such as dropping out of school, lack of education, and unemployment further increase the likelihood of criminal activity.

Question 4

A major premise of social reaction theory is that the law is differentially constructed and applied, depending on the offenders.

Accepted Answer

Social reaction theory suggests that the law is not applied uniformly or consistently, and that factors such as social status, race, and gender can influence how laws are constructed and enforced. This can lead to certain groups of people being treated more harshly by the criminal justice system than others.

Question 5

According to Lemert, secondary deviance involves resocialization into a deviant role.

Accepted Answer

Lemert's theory of secondary deviance proposes that individuals who have been labeled as deviant internalize that deviant role as part of their identity, resulting in a process of resocialization into that role. This can lead to further deviant behavior and a reinforcement of the deviant label.

Question 6

Empirical evidence supports the view that labelling plays an important role in persistent offending.

Accepted Answer

There are numerous studies which provide evidence to suggest that labelling can lead to persistent offending. Labelling theorists argue that once an individual has been labelled as a criminal, they may find it difficult to escape this identity, and this can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy whereby the individual feels that they have no choice but to continue to engage in criminal behaviour. This concept is supported by empirical evidence from studies such as Becker's study of marijuana users and Lemert's study of secondary deviance.

Question 7

There is little empirical evidence to show that negative labels dramatically influence the self-image of offenders.

Accepted Answer

Numerous studies in the field of sociology and criminology have shown that negative labels, such as those applied to offenders, can significantly impact their self-image and self-concept, often leading to a phenomenon known as "secondary deviance" where the individual's self-identity and behavior are influenced by the labels, potentially increasing the likelihood of continued deviant behavior.

Question 8

A social reaction theorist views crime as a subjective concept whose definition depends entirely on the viewing audience.

Accepted Answer

Social reaction theorists argue that the definition of crime is not static, but rather is influenced by social, political, and cultural factors, which means that what is considered a crime can vary from one society or group to another. Therefore, crime is viewed as a subjective concept that depends on the viewers' reactions to certain behaviors or actions.

Question 9

The most serious criticism of differential association theory is that it fails to account for the origin of criminal definitions.

Accepted Answer

Differential association theory does account for the origin of criminal definitions, as it suggests that individuals learn criminal behavior and definitions from their social interactions with others who hold those beliefs and engage in criminal behavior.

Question 10

Labelling theory is one which provides for equal treatment of offenders across class and racial lines.

Accepted Answer

Labelling theory acknowledges that individuals are labelled and treated differently based on their class status and racial background, leading to unequal treatment within the criminal justice system. Therefore, the statement given in the question is false.

Question 11

An important principle of social reaction theory is that the law is applied equally to everyone.

Accepted Answer

Social reaction theory argues that the law is not applied equally to everyone, and that certain groups, such as minorities and the poor, are more likely to be targeted and punished by the criminal justice system. This is sometimes referred to as selective enforcement or discriminatory application of the law.

Question 12

What is retrospective reading?

Accepted Answer

Retrospective reading involves evaluating a person's behavior based on a label that has been attached to them, rather than responding to their actual behavior.

Question 13

The Aboriginal Head Start program is an urban and northern communities project funded by Health Canada. Which of the following functions does it serve?

Accepted Answer

The Aboriginal Head Start program serves as a means to provide healthy socialization opportunities for children, which has been shown to lead to lower crime rates. It does not specifically provide breakfast, respite for parents, or supervised visitation between children and parents.

Question 14

Another name for social reaction theory is labelling theory.

Accepted Answer

Social reaction theory and labelling theory are interchangeable terms used to describe a criminological theory that posits that an individual's behavior is influenced by the labels others apply to them.

Question 15

The Youth Criminal Justice Act seeks to use the least restrictive means of dealing with youth and this includes diversion from the formal court process where possible. Which social process theory does this model support?

Accepted Answer

The Youth Criminal Justice Act's emphasis on diversion from the formal court process aligns with the principles of social reaction (labelling) theory, which argues that the criminal justice system's response to a criminal act often defines and creates deviance. By diverting youth from formal court processes, the Act seeks to prevent labelling and stigmatization and thereby reduce the risks associated with subsequent criminal behaviour.

Question 16

Which of the following terms would be used by a social reaction theorist to describe a situation in which a young person goes to a party and smokes marijuana but achieves honour roll standing and never breaks the law again?

Accepted Answer

Primary deviance refers to a behavior that violates social norms but is not yet labeled as deviant. In the given situation, the young person has smoked marijuana, which can be considered a violation of social norms, but due to their subsequent achievement of honour roll standing and not breaking the law again, it can be categorized as primary deviance.

Question 17

Sutherland argued that learning criminal behaviour is similar to learning nearly all other patterns and is not a matter of mere imitation.

Accepted Answer

Sutherland's Differential Association Theory states that criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others who engage in criminal activities, but it is not simply a matter of imitation. Rather, it involves the acquisition of attitudes, values, and techniques of criminal behavior, which are passed down through socialization processes within certain groups or subcultures. Therefore, Sutherland argued that learning criminal behavior is similar to learning nearly all other patterns, not just mere imitation.

Question 18

Social process theories share the same single concept that all people, regardless of their race, class, or gender, have the potential to become delinquent

Accepted Answer

Social process theories argue that delinquency is not determined by one's background or individual characteristics, but rather by the social interactions and experiences one has. Therefore, all people have the potential to become delinquent depending on their social environment and experiences.

Question 19

In its purest form, social reaction theory argues that even such crimes as murder, sexual assault, and theft are only bad because people label them that way.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In its purest form, social reaction theory...

Question 20

According to the social reaction approach, crime and deviance are defined by the moral content of the illegal act itself.

Accepted Answer

According to the social reaction approach, crime and deviance are defined by the social reaction to the illegal act rather than the moral content of the act itself. The labeling and stigmatization of certain behaviors as deviant or criminal is shaped by societal norms, values, and expectations.

Quiz 7: Socialization and Crime