Question 1

A problem with differential association theory is that it

Accepted Answer

Differential association theory only explains how people become deviants if they are members of deviant cultures, but it does not account for individuals who become deviants without being part of such cultures.

Question 2

A weakness of conflict theory is its failure to recognize

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory does recognize the significance of power in group relationships and how injustices in society can produce crime. It also examines the origins of crime; however, it may overlook the fact that laws can protect most people, not just the affluent. Therefore, option C is the weakness of conflict theory.

Question 3

When a population sees itself as a victim of the criminal justice system,it is drawing on which perspective?

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective emphasizes the power struggles and inequalities within society, including those between different groups and institutions such as the criminal justice system. A population viewing itself as a victim of the criminal justice system implies a perception of systematic oppression and injustice, which is consistent with the conflict perspective. Functionalism emphasizes the importance of social institutions working together harmoniously, postmodernism emphasizes the diversity and fluidity of societal structures, and feminism emphasizes gender-based inequalities. While these perspectives may also address issues related to the criminal justice system, they do not specifically address the population's perception of victimization.

Question 4

What is the original source of symbolic interactionist theories of deviance?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionist theories of deviance originated from the perspective of the Chicago School, a group of sociologists who studied the social relationships and interactions within urban environments in the early 20th century. In particular, sociologists like George Herbert Mead and Erving Goffman developed theories that focused on how individuals use symbols and language to create and negotiate meaning in social situations, including those involving deviant behavior.

Question 5

Differential association theory explains deviance by

Accepted Answer

Differential association theory emphasizes how deviance is culturally transmitted through interactions with family, peers, and other social groups. It suggests that individuals learn deviant behavior through exposure to and reinforcement of deviant attitudes and values within their social environment. Cultural transmission plays a major role in shaping an individual's attitudes towards conventional and deviant behavior.

Question 6

A high school student acts bored in class and the teacher decides she is a bad student.This teacher discusses the student with other teachers who then treat that student as if she were a bad student.This describes the process
Of)

Accepted Answer

This describes the process of labeling, where the student is given a negative label of being a "bad" student by the teacher and other teachers begin to treat her accordingly. This can create a self-fulfilling prophecy where the student may begin to internalize this label and start to act out more, leading to further negative perceptions and treatment.

Question 7

The University of Chicago sociologist who defined deviance as a normal response to the social conditions in which people find themselves is.

Accepted Answer

W.I. Thomas is credited with the Thomas theorem which states that "If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences." He also defined deviance as a normal response to the social conditions in which people find themselves.

Question 8

Labeling theorists argue that once a person is labeled deviant

Accepted Answer

Labeling theorists argue that once a person is labeled deviant, it becomes difficult for them to reestablish a nondeviant identity because the label becomes a part of their self-concept and can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy effect. This can lead to a continued engagement in deviant behavior and a disconnection from conventional society.

Question 9

The perspective that uses a micro approach to deviance includes.

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism focuses on the individual level and the meanings and interpretations they attach to their actions and experiences. This perspective is concerned with how individuals label and perceive deviance, and how they navigate social interactions and responses to their behavior.

Question 10

W.I.Thomas explained deviance as:

Accepted Answer

W.I. Thomas believed that deviance was a normal response to social conditions, meaning that individuals engage in deviant behavior as a reaction to their environment or social circumstances. He did not view deviance as a fixed, inherent characteristic of an individual or solely learned from others.

Question 11

Which of these is not one of the factors that symbolic interactionism uses to explain deviant behavior?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism focuses on the meanings people give to situations and how they interact based on those meanings, not on the strength of attachment to social norms, which is more related to control theory.

Question 12

Social labeling theory focuses on who in society can determine that others are deviant and are able to apply sanctions.This aspect of social labeling theory makes it most associated with.

Accepted Answer

Social labeling theory is most closely associated with symbolic interactionism because it emphasizes the importance of how individuals interpret and define deviant behavior based on socially constructed labels and definitions. Symbolic interactionism also focuses on the role of interactions and communication in shaping social reality, which is relevant to the labeling process of deviant individuals.

Question 13

According to differential association theory,people become deviant

Accepted Answer

Differential association theory states that individuals learn deviant behavior from their interactions with intimate or primary groups, such as family and friends, who engage in such behavior. This makes choice B the best option as it suggests that people become deviant by learning from members of their primary groups. The other options may also contribute to deviant behavior, but they are not the primary focus of this theory.

Question 14

According to Sutherland's differential association theory,people become criminals when they

Accepted Answer

Sutherland's differential association theory states that people become criminals when they are more strongly socialized to break the law than to obey it, meaning that they have learned criminal behavior through their interactions with others who engage in criminal activities. This theory emphasizes the role of environmental factors in shaping behavior and downplays the importance of genetic predisposition or lack of attachment to others. The theory also suggests that individuals who lack the socially approved means to achieve their goals may be more likely to turn to criminal behavior as an alternative means of achieving those goals. However, this is not the main focus of the theory.

Question 15

Labeling theorists would explain recidivism among those released from prison as

Accepted Answer

Labeling theorists would argue that once these individuals are labeled as deviant and are released, it is difficult to escape that label and stigma. This can lead to difficulty in finding employment and reintegration into society, which can increase the likelihood of recidivism.

Question 16

Youths raised with parents who are deviant are more likely to be deviant themselves.This is an illustration of:

Accepted Answer

Differential association theory suggests that individuals learn deviant behavior through their interactions with others, particularly those close to them, such as family members or peers. Therefore, youths raised with deviant parents are more likely to be exposed to and learn deviant behavior, leading them to engage in such behavior themselves.

Question 17

Sociologists using a symbolic interaction perspective argue that a physical disability can become.In this case society devalues the status.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists using a symbolic interaction perspective argue that a physical disability can become a stigma when society devalues the status. A stigma refers to a characteristic that is deeply discrediting and causes an individual to be socially rejected. In this case, the physical disability is seen as a negative characteristic and causes the individual to be devalued in society. Formal deviance refers to behavior that violates laws or official rules and can result in legal consequences. Informal deviance refers to behavior that violates social norms and can result in social consequences. A crime refers to a specific type of formal deviance that is punishable by law. None of these options accurately describe the situation described in the question.

Question 18

A strength of conflict theory in terms of understanding deviance is

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory emphasizes power relationships between dominant and subordinate groups in society, which can help explain how those in power shape norms, values, and laws in ways that benefit themselves and maintain their dominance. This can shed light on why certain behaviors are defined as deviant and punished more severely than others, and why certain groups may be more likely to engage in deviant behavior due to their position in society.

Question 19

A weakness of conflict theory in terms of understanding deviance is that it

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory focuses primarily on crimes that are committed by those who lack power, but it may not be as effective in explaining other forms of deviance, such as white-collar crime or deviance that occurs within privileged groups.

Question 20

According topeople behave as they do because of the meanings that they give to different situations.

Accepted Answer

The statement reflects the foundational principle of symbolic interaction theory, which emphasizes that individuals interpret and give meaning to their experiences and interactions with others in the social world.  This theory suggests that understanding these meanings and interpretations is crucial to understanding human behavior.

Quiz 7: Deviance and Crime