Question 1

According to the conflict perspective,the poor commit street crimes in order to survive;they find that they cannot afford the essentials such as food,clothing,shelter,and health care.Thus,some crime represents a rational response by the poor to the unequal distribution of resources in society.

Accepted Answer

According to the conflict perspective, the poor commit street crimes as a rational response to the unequal distribution of resources in society. They cannot afford the essentials such as food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare, which leads them to commit crimes to survive.

Question 2

Expanding on Merton's theory,sociologists Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin suggested that,for
deviance to occur,people must have access to illegitimate opportunity structures.

Accepted Answer

Cloward and Ohlin's theory of differential opportunity expands on Merton's theory by suggesting that in addition to having blocked access to legitimate opportunities, individuals must also have access to illegitimate opportunities in order for deviance to occur. This includes things like joining criminal gangs or participating in illegal activities as a means of achieving success or status.

Question 3

According to sociologist Edwin Sutherland's rational choice theory of deviance,people learn the necessary techniques and motives,drives,rationalizations,and attitudes of deviant behavior from people with whom they affiliate.

Accepted Answer

Edwin Sutherland is known for the differential association theory, not rational choice theory. Differential association theory suggests that deviant behavior is learned through interactions with others.

Question 4

Based on sociologist Robert Merton's strain theory,innovation occurs when people accept culturally-approved goals and pursue them through approved means.Persons who want to achieve success through innovation work hard and save their money.

Accepted Answer

According to Merton's strain theory, innovation occurs when individuals accept culturally-approved goals but use unapproved or unconventional means to achieve them, not through hard work and saving money.

Question 5

A person shoplifts an item of clothing from a department store and is apprehended and labeled as a "thief." The person subsequently accepts the label,and continues to shoplift items from other stores on numerous occasions.This example illustrates the tertiary deviance stage of the labeling theory.

Accepted Answer

This example illustrates the secondary deviance stage of the labeling theory, where the individual accepts the label and continues the deviant behavior. Tertiary deviance involves redefining the deviant behavior as normal or acceptable.

Question 6

Labeling theories suggest that the probability of delinquency increases when a person's social
bonds are weak and when peers promote antisocial values and violent behavior.

Accepted Answer

Labeling theory focuses on how being labeled as a "deviant" can influence an individual's self-identity and behavior, rather than the strength of social bonds or peer influence, which are concepts more aligned with social control theory and differential association theory, respectively.

Question 7

According to the text,occupational (white-collar)crime comprises illegal activities committed by people in the course of their employment or financial affairs.

Accepted Answer

The text clearly states that occupational (white-collar) crime refers to illegal activities committed in relation to employment or financial affairs.

Question 8

A major strength of the rational choice theory of deviance is that it explains why high-risk youths do not constantly engage in delinquent acts.They have learned to balance risk against the potential for criminal gain in each situation.

Accepted Answer

The rational choice theory suggests that individuals consider the potential risks and rewards of engaging in deviant behavior before making a decision. This can explain why some high-risk youths do not constantly engage in delinquent acts, as they may weigh the potential negative consequences against any potential gains before making a decision.

Question 9

Terrorism is the calculated,unlawful use of physical force or threats of violence against persons or property in order to intimidate or coerce a government,organization,or individual for the purpose of gaining some political,religious,economic,or social objective.

Accepted Answer

This is the generally accepted definition of terrorism.

Question 10

Emile Durkheim believed that deviance is rooted in societal factors such as rapid social change and the lack of social integration among people.

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim's theory of deviance, known as anomie theory, argues that deviant behavior is a result of societal factors such as rapid social change and the lack of social integration or regulation in society. Therefore, the answer is True.

Question 11

Functionalist theorists focus on how power relations in society influence the law and the criminal justice system,often to the detriment of people who are at the bottom of the social structure hierarchy.

Accepted Answer

Functionalist theorists focus on how various parts of society work together to maintain stability and order, rather than emphasizing power relations and their impact on law and justice, which is more characteristic of conflict theory.

Question 12

Sociologist Walter Reckless stated that society produces pushes and pulls that move people toward criminal behavior;however,many people do not resort to deviance because of inner containments-such as supportive family and friends,reasonable social expectations,and supervision by others.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sociologist Walter Reckless stated that society produces...

Question 13

Deviance is relative-that is,an act becomes deviant when it is socially defined as such.
Definitions of deviance vary widely from place to place,from time to time,and from group to group.

Accepted Answer

Deviance is a socially defined concept and varies based on cultural and social norms. What is considered deviant in one society or group may not be perceived as such in another. Therefore, the definition of deviance is relative.

Question 14

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)is the major source of information on crimes reported in the United States.The (NCVS)is compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and focuses on eight major crimes,called index crimes.

Accepted Answer

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is not compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, which is part of the U.S. Department of Justice. The survey focuses on a broader range of crimes than just the eight index crimes.

Question 15

Deviance can be based on a person's belief,actions or even a characteristic.

Accepted Answer

Deviance can be based on a person's beliefs, actions or characteristics that violate societal norms and values.

Question 16

In contemporary societies,the criminal justice system,which includes the police,the courts,and the prisons,is the primary mechanism of internal social control.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In contemporary societies,the criminal justice system,which includes...

Question 17

Some postmodern theorists emphasize that the study of deviance reveals how the powerful exert control over the powerless by taking away their free will to think and act as they might choose.

Accepted Answer

Postmodern theorists argue that the concept of deviance is socially constructed and created by those in power to maintain their control over the marginalized groups. They suggest that deviance is a way of labeling and stigmatizing those who challenge the dominant norms and values. By doing so, the powerful exert control over the powerless and limit their ability to think and act outside of the prescribed norms.

Question 18

Conventional (street)crimes include burglary,motor vehicle theft,larceny-theft,and arson.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Conventional (street)crimes include burglary,motor vehicle theft,larceny-theft,and arson....

Question 19

All deviance is against the law and punishable.

Accepted Answer

Deviance refers to behavior that violates social norms and expectations, which may or may not be against the law. Some acts of deviance, such as skipping class or wearing unconventional clothing, may not be illegal and therefore not punishable by law.

Question 20

The Marxist/critical theory views deviance and crime as a function of the capitalist economic system.

Accepted Answer

According to Marxist/critical theory, deviance and crime are a result of the inequalities and injustices created by the capitalist economic system. People who are marginalized or exploited by the system may turn to deviant or criminal behavior as a means of survival, resistance, or rebellion.

Quiz 7: Deviance and Crime