Question 1

If a gang member kills another gang member, society may take this killing less seriously than if a gang member killed an individual who was not part of a gang.

Accepted Answer

This is a phenomenon known as "in-group bias" or "out-group bias," where people tend to show more empathy and concern towards those who are similar to them or belong to their group (in this case, non-gang members). Therefore, society may perceive a killing between gang members as an "internal matter" and not as threatening to their own safety or well-being.

Question 2

The Chicago School of Criminology was named after its founder Brian Chicago.

Accepted Answer

The Chicago School of Criminology was not named after an individual named Brian Chicago. It refers to a group of scholars who developed a sociological approach to understanding crime and delinquency in the early 20th century, primarily based at the University of Chicago.

Question 3

Reaction formation is the process by which a person openly rejects that which he or she wants, or aspires to, but cannot obtain or achieve.

Accepted Answer

Reaction formation is a defense mechanism in which a person behaves in a way that is opposite to their true feelings and desires. They may openly reject or express aversion towards something that they actually unconsciously desire or aspire to, but cannot obtain or achieve due to various reasons.

Question 4

Social structure theories look at the formal and informal social and economic arrangements (or structure) of society as the root causes of crime and deviance.

Accepted Answer

Social structure theories suggest that social and economic arrangements and inequalities in society, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of education, create conditions that increase the likelihood of criminal behavior and deviance. These theories argue that crime is a result of social and structural factors rather than individual choices or psychological factors.

Question 5

The criminology of place is an emerging perspective that emphsizes the importance of geographic location and architectural features as they are associated with the prevalence of criminal victimization.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The criminology of place is an emerging...

Question 6

The differential opportunity perspective was developed by Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin.

Accepted Answer

The differential opportunity perspective was indeed developed by Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin.

Question 7

Sheldon and Eleanor Glueck developed the ecological school of criminology.

Accepted Answer

Sheldon and Eleanor Glueck are best known for their research in the field of criminology, particularly their work on juvenile delinquency and the development of the Social Control Theory, not the ecological school of criminology, which was primarily developed by the Chicago School theorists like Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay.

Question 8

According to the Chicago School of Criminology, criminal activity tends to be associated with poverty zones.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the Chicago School of Criminology,...

Question 9

The Chicago School of criminology is an ecological approach to explaining crime that examines how social disroganization contributes to social pathology.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. The Chicago School of criminology focuses on how social disorganization, or the breakdown of social institutions such as family and community, contributes to crime and deviance in urban areas. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the social and physical environment in which crime occurs.

Question 10

Anomie, according to Robert Merton, is said to exist when there is a disjuncture between socially approved means to success and legitimate goals.

Accepted Answer

This is the exact definition of anomie according to Robert Merton's theory of strain.

Question 11

Social structure theories are consistent with the social problems approach.

Accepted Answer

Social structure theories argue that societal factors such as poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunities contribute to the development of social problems. The social problems approach also emphasizes the importance of understanding the social context in which problems arise and the need for social change to address them. Therefore, social structure theories and the social problems approach are consistent with each other.

Question 12

The work of Park and Burgess viewed cities in terms of concentric zones, which were envisioned much like the circles on a target.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. Park and Burgess developed the concentric zone model, which divided cities into five concentric zones.

Question 13

By social process, sociologists studying crime mean the interaction between and among social institutions, groups and individuals.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists studying crime use the term social process to refer to the interaction and relationship between various social institutions, individuals and groups in the perpetration or prevention of crime.

Question 14

Violent subcultures not only expect violence from their members but they also legitimize it when it occurs.

Accepted Answer

Violent subcultures often have a set of values, beliefs, and norms that prioritize aggression and violence. When violence occurs within these subcultures, it is often seen as acceptable or even celebrated, reinforcing the belief system and encouraging further violent behavior.

Question 15

As advocates of the ecological approach, C. Shaw and H. McKay studied delinquency rates in Chicago.

Accepted Answer

C. Shaw and H. McKay were advocates of the ecological approach and they famously conducted a study on delinquency rates in Chicago, which led to the development of social disorganization theory.

Question 16

According to Walter Miller, fate is related to the quest for excitement and to the concept of luck or of being lucky.

Accepted Answer

According to Walter Miller, fate is indeed related to the quest for excitement and the idea of luck or being lucky. He argues that individuals who are fascinated by fate tend to seek excitement and are intrigued by the idea that some people are simply luckier than others. Miller suggests that a belief in fate can be comforting because it implies that events are predetermined, rather than random or chaotic.

Question 17

According to differential opportunity theory, a lower-class youth who becomes addicted to drugs is probably involved in a conflict subculture.

Accepted Answer

Differential opportunity theory suggests that lower-class youths join different types of gangs (criminal, conflict, or retreatist) based on the opportunities available to them. A youth who becomes addicted to drugs is more likely associated with a retreatist subculture, not a conflict subculture. Conflict subcultures typically involve gangs that focus on gaining status through violence, not drug addiction.

Question 18

The original concept of strain theory, as outlined by Merton, is more applicable today than it was in the 1930s.

Accepted Answer

Merton's strain theory, developed in the 1930s, was based on the societal context and economic conditions of that era, primarily focusing on the American Dream and the strain caused by the inability to achieve this dream through legitimate means. While still relevant, its applicability today must consider the vast changes in society, economy, technology, and cultural diversity, which may affect the dynamics of strain and the forms of adaptation individuals choose.

Question 19

In contrast to more individualized biological and psychological theories, which have what is called a micro focus, sociological approaches utilize a macro focus, stressing the types of behaviour likely to be exhibited by group members rather than attempting to predict the behaviour of specific individuals.

Accepted Answer

Sociological approaches focus on group behaviour rather than individual behaviour, making it a macro-level approach. This is in contrast to biological and psychological theories, which focus on individual behaviour, making them micro-level approaches.

Question 20

Even though Walter Miller's work in the area of focal concerns is almost entirely derived from his study of black, inner-city delinquents in the Boston area, it is still very relevant to members of other lower-class subcultures.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Even though Walter Miller's work in the...

Quiz 8: The Meaning of Crime: Social Structure Perspective