Question 1

Which of the following does structural strain theory assume?
A)There is a wide-spread consensus on the legitimate means for achieving goals.
B)Success is always attainable through conventional means or conformity.
C)The harmony between societal goals and the means of achieving them creates strain.
D)Society reflects low levels of social solidarity.

Accepted Answer

Structural strain theory assumes that there is a consensus on the legitimate means for achieving societal goals, but not everyone has equal access to these means, leading to strain.

Question 2

Any behavior, practice, attitude, or condition that violates a cultural norm or societal law that results in disapproval is ______.
A)crime
B)pluralistic
C)functionalist
D)deviance

Accepted Answer

The definition given in the question perfectly matches the concept of deviance. Deviance refers to any behavior or practice that goes against the cultural or societal norms and values, resulting in disapproval, rejection, or even punishment. It is subjective and may vary from culture to culture or from time to time. It can range from minor infractions like breaking a school dress code to serious crimes like murder or robbery.

Question 3

In U.S.society, having excessive tattoos may be considered ______.
A)criminal
B)deviant
C)atavistic
D)pluralistic

Accepted Answer

Having excessive tattoos may be considered deviant in U.S. society, as it deviates from the mainstream norms and expectations of appearance. However, it is important to note that societal norms and attitudes towards tattoos are changing and becoming more accepting in some contexts.

Question 4

Which of the following is a characteristic of deviance?
A)It is limited to criminal actions.
B)It is often restricted to certain racial, gender, and age groups.
C)It does not include moral judgments.
D)It includes medical conditions, illnesses, and physical abnormalities.

Accepted Answer

Deviance is not limited to criminal actions and can include a wide range of behaviors or traits that are considered outside of societal norms. This can include medical conditions, illnesses, and physical abnormalities that are stigmatized or viewed as abnormal. Option A is incorrect as deviance includes more behaviors than just criminal actions. Option B is incorrect as deviance can apply to any group or individual regardless of race, gender, or age. Option C is incorrect as deviance does involve moral judgments and goes against the established norms and values of society.

Question 5

Durkheim suggested that ______ levels of suicide were correlated with ______.
A)lower; higher levels of strain
B)lower; higher levels of anomie
C)higher; lower levels of social solidarity
D)higher; lower levels of anomie

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's theory of suicide proposed that higher levels of social solidarity (or integration) within a society would result in lower suicide rates, while lower levels of social solidarity would result in higher suicide rates. He argued that individuals who are more socially integrated are less likely to feel isolated, hopeless, or purposeless, which are some of the psychological and emotional factors that contribute to suicidal behavior. Therefore, the choice that best fits Durkheim's theory is C - higher levels of suicide were correlated with lower levels of social solidarity.

Question 6

Which of the following is characteristic of a functionalist view of deviance?
A)High rates of deviance are useful.
B)The labeling of some as deviant decreases social solidarity.
C)Deviance enhances our sense of the boundaries between right and wrong.
D)Who is and who is not labeled deviant reflects the interests of the ruling class.

Accepted Answer

A functionalist view of deviance sees it as a necessary element in society in order to reinforce the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Deviance can be seen as a form of boundary maintenance that helps to clarify what is considered right and wrong in a society. By highlighting what is not acceptable behavior, members of society are able to reinforce and abide by the rules that govern social interactions. This ultimately serves to enhance social solidarity, rather than decrease it. It is not characteristic of a functionalist view of deviance to see high rates of deviance as useful or to see deviance as reflecting the interests of the ruling class.

Question 7

Which of the following is true of phrenology?
A)It has been disproven.
B)It was focused on studying the bodies of nondeviants.
C)It claimed that skull configurations of deviant individuals were no different than those of nondeviants.
D)It led researchers to abandon the search for biological causes of deviance.

Accepted Answer

Phrenology has been widely discredited and is not considered a legitimate scientific practice.

Question 8

There is a diversity of opinion regarding deviance and criminality because most societies are ______.
A)vengeful
B)postindustrial
C)homogenous
D)pluralistic

Accepted Answer

The term "diversity of opinion" suggests that there are multiple viewpoints and perspectives on deviance and criminality. This is more likely to occur in pluralistic societies where different cultures, beliefs, and values coexist. In a homogenous society, there may be a more uniform perspective on what is considered deviant or criminal behavior. Vengefulness and postindustrialism are not relevant factors in determining the diversity of opinion on deviance and criminality.

Question 9

The ______ perspective sees a certain amount of deviance as useful for society.
A)conflict
B)interactionist
C)feminist
D)functionalist

Accepted Answer

The functionalist perspective emphasizes that deviance can serve a social function by reinforcing societal norms and values. For example, the punishment of deviant behavior can serve as a deterrent to others and reinforce the idea that certain behaviors are unacceptable. Additionally, deviance can create a sense of unity among people who share common norms and values, as well as provide opportunities for social change and adaptation.

Question 10

Which of the following is illustrative of dynamic definitions of deviance in the United States?
A)long-held beliefs and practices
B)the seriousness of the label criminal
C)the shifting legal status of marijuana
D)the search for biological causes of deviance

Accepted Answer

Dynamic definitions of deviance refer to how deviant behavior can change over time and be influenced by social, cultural, and political factors. The shifting legal status of marijuana in the United States is a clear example of this, as it has gone from being criminalized and stigmatized to being legalized and accepted in some states. This shift is due in part to changing attitudes towards the drug, as well as changing social and political factors such as concerns about the criminal justice system and public health.

Question 11

An act defined in the law as punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both is referred to as ______.
A)deviance
B)a capital offense
C)a crime
D)structural strain

Accepted Answer

A crime is an act defined in the law as punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both. Deviance refers to behavior that goes against social norms, but may not necessarily be illegal. A capital offense is a crime punishable by death. Structural strain refers to the societal pressure and conflicts that can lead to deviance and crime.

Question 12

An early social scientist believed that the shape and size of an individual's skull could reveal their deviant nature.Which of the following theories does this researcher believe has merit?
A)atavism
B)biopsychology
C)phrenology
D)functionalism

Accepted Answer

Phrenology is the study of the skull and its bumps, which was popular in the 19th century. This researcher's belief that the shape and size of an individual's skull could reveal their deviant nature is a classic example of phrenology.

Question 13

What is structural strain?
A)the process of becoming stigmatized or branded as highly disgraceful
B)the conflicting interest of different segments of the population
C)a form of anomie that occurs when a gap exists between the motivation to engage in deviant acts and the opportunity to engage in deviant acts
D)a form of anomie that occurs when a gap exists between the culturally defined goals of a society and the means available to achieve those goals

Accepted Answer

Structural strain refers to a form of anomie where there is a mismatch or gap between the culturally defined goals of a society and the means available to achieve those goals. This can lead to frustration, discontent, and a pressure to engage in deviant behavior.

Question 14

Theories that explain why deviance occurs are referred to as ______, while theories that explain how deviance occurs are referred to as ______.
A)interactionist; explanatory
B)explanatory; functionalist
C)functionalist; biological
D)explanatory; interactionist

Accepted Answer

Theories that explain why deviance occurs are focused on understanding the underlying causes or root factors that lead individuals to engage in deviant behavior, while theories that explain how deviance occurs focus on the specific mechanisms or processes through which individuals become deviant or engage in deviant behavior. The distinction between these two types of theories is usually associated with the broader theoretical frameworks within which they are situated, with explanatory or structural theories tending to be associated with functionalism or conflict theory, and interactionist theories being more focused on understanding the micro-level social processes that lead to deviant behavior. Choice D accurately reflects this distinction between explanatory and interactionist theories.

Question 15

Structural strain theory explores the ______.
A)risk of children of deviant parents becoming deviant themselves
B)deviant behavior of twins
C)impediments some members of a society have to achieve societal goals
D)brain activity in individuals who have committed crimes

Accepted Answer

Structural strain theory posits that individuals may turn to deviant behavior when they face impediments to achieving societal goals, such as financial success or a good education. This can be caused by structural factors within society, such as limited opportunities or discrimination, and can lead to strain and frustration that may be alleviated through deviant behavior. The theory does not explore the risk of children of deviant parents becoming deviant themselves, deviant behavior of twins, or brain activity in individuals who have committed crimes.

Question 16

Some early social theorists claimed that deviants were ______ or throwbacks to primitive early humans.
A)noncriminal
B)atavisms
C)primary deviants
D)Neanderthals

Accepted Answer

The term "atavism" refers to the idea that deviants are throwbacks to primitive early humans. This theory was popular in the early 20th century among some social theorists, such as Cesare Lombroso, who believed that criminals were born with physical features that resembled those of prehistoric humans.

Question 17

Which of the following did Durkheim discover?
A)Married men had higher rates of suicide than single men.
B)Protestants had higher rates of suicide than Catholics.
C)Women had higher rates of suicide than men.
D)Poorer people had higher rates of suicide than wealthy people.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim discovered that Protestants had higher rates of suicide than Catholics, which he attributed to the stronger sense of social integration and community within Catholicism.

Question 18

According to Merton's typology of deviance, which of the following would be a deviant reaction to strain?
A)conformity
B)innovation
C)obedience
D)rationalism

Accepted Answer

Merton's typology of deviance includes five responses to strain: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. Innovation, which involves accepting societal goals but pursuing them through unconventional means, is a deviant reaction to strain. Conformity, in contrast, involves accepting both the goals and the means of achieving them, and is considered a non-deviant response. Obedience and rationalism are not included in Merton's typology of deviance.

Question 19

Robert K.Merton adopted which sociologists' concept of anomie into a general concept of deviance?
A)Freud
B)Durkheim
C)Weber
D)Beaver

Accepted Answer

Robert K. Merton adopted Emile Durkheim's concept of anomie into a general concept of deviance. Durkheim's anomie referred to a state of normlessness or lack of social regulation, which could lead to deviant behavior. Merton expanded upon this concept by exploring how societal structures and cultural goals could lead to various forms of deviance, such as strain theory.

Question 20

______ offenses are crimes punishable by death.
A)Deviant
B)Capital
C)Federal
D)State

Accepted Answer

Capital offenses are crimes punishable by death, such as murder, treason, or espionage. Deviant, Federal, and State are not the correct terms used to describe the severity of a crime's punishment.

Quiz 6: Deviance and Social Control

Which of the following does structural strain theory assume?

Any behavior, practice, attitude, or condition that violates a cultural norm or societal law that results in disapproval is ______.

In U.S.society, having excessive tattoos may be considered ______.

Which of the following is a characteristic of deviance?

Durkheim suggested that levels of suicide were correlated with .

Which of the following is characteristic of a functionalist view of deviance?

Which of the following is true of phrenology?

There is a diversity of opinion regarding deviance and criminality because most societies are ______.

The ______ perspective sees a certain amount of deviance as useful for society.

Which of the following is illustrative of dynamic definitions of deviance in the United States?

An act defined in the law as punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both is referred to as ______.

An early social scientist believed that the shape and size of an individual's skull could reveal their deviant nature.Which of the following theories does this researcher believe has merit?

What is structural strain?

Theories that explain why deviance occurs are referred to as , while theories that explain how deviance occurs are referred to as .

Structural strain theory explores the ______.

Some early social theorists claimed that deviants were ______ or throwbacks to primitive early humans.

Which of the following did Durkheim discover?

According to Merton's typology of deviance, which of the following would be a deviant reaction to strain?

Robert K.Merton adopted which sociologists' concept of anomie into a general concept of deviance?

______ offenses are crimes punishable by death.