Question 1

'Claims makers play important roles in defining deviance and responses to it.' This statement is most closely associated with which theory of deviance?
A)Functionalist perspective (as represented by Emile Durkheim)
B)Labelling theory
C)Constructionist approach
D)Structural strain

Accepted Answer

The constructionist approach focuses on how social phenomena or deviance are socially constructed, emphasizing the role of claims makers in defining what is considered deviant and how society responds to it.

Question 2

The sociological contribution to deviance is that it focuses on the deviant individual.

Accepted Answer

The sociological contribution to deviance is that it focuses on the social and cultural factors that contribute to deviance, rather than solely on the deviant individual. This includes examining social norms, institutions, and power structures that shape behavior and labeling certain individuals or groups as deviant.

Question 3

'Crimes committed by persons of respectability and high social status in the course of their occupations' are called
A)corporate crime.
B)white-collar crime.
C)deviance.
D)the falsely accused.

Accepted Answer

White-collar crime refers to crimes committed by people of respectable social status and high occupational positions. It includes various types of nonviolent offenses such as embezzlement, fraud, and insider trading, usually committed for financial gain. Corporate crime is a subcategory of white-collar crime, involving illegal actions by corporations, often to maximize profits at the expense of employees, customers, and the environment. Deviance is a broader term that includes any behavior that violates social norms or expectations, while the falsely accused refers to people who have been wrongfully charged with a crime.

Question 4

Although mores are considered unchangeable and absolute, they do change.

Accepted Answer

Although mores are perceived as unchanging, they can change over time due to shifts in societal values, cultural influences, and legal reforms. For example, attitudes towards homosexuality and same-sex marriage have changed significantly in many societies in recent decades, leading to shifts in the mores surrounding these issues.

Question 5

'Criminal behaviour is learned.' This statement is most closely associated with which theory of deviance?
A)Functionalist perspective (as represented by Emile Durkheim)
B)Labelling theory
C)Differential association
D)Structural strain

Accepted Answer

The statement "criminal behaviour is learned" is most closely associated with differential association theory, which posits that individuals learn deviant behavior (including criminal behavior) through interactions with others in their social environment, such as family, peers, and media. This theory focuses on the importance of socialization and the transmission of values and attitudes towards deviance.

Question 6

'When persons become criminals, they do so because of contacts with criminal patterns and also because of isolation from anti-criminal influences.' This statement represents an essential assumption that underlies ______________ theories.
A)structural strain
B)differential association
C)labelling
D)constructionist

Accepted Answer

The statement that criminal activity results from exposure to criminal behavior and lack of exposure to anti-criminal influences aligns with differential association theory, which posits that criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others and exposure to values and beliefs that support criminal activity. Structural strain theory focuses on anomie and the disconnection between socially reinforced goals and the means to achieve those goals, labelling theory focuses on the impact of societal reactions to behavior, and constructionist theories take a more post-modern approach to understanding crime as a social construct. None of these theories directly address the idea of exposure to criminal influences as the cause of criminal activity.

Question 7

Almost any behaviour or appearance can qualify as deviant under the right circumstances.

Accepted Answer

Deviance is subjective and context-dependent. What may be considered normal behavior in one situation or culture may be seen as deviant in another. Therefore, almost any behavior or appearance has the potential to be considered deviant under certain circumstances or in certain contexts.

Question 8

Ridicule is a formal sanction.

Accepted Answer

Ridicule is not a formal sanction, but rather an informal one that involves mocking or making fun of someone for their behavior or actions. Formal sanctions are those that are officially imposed by social institutions or authorities, such as laws or rules.

Question 9

'Deviance, especially the ritual of identifying and exposing wrongdoing, determining a punishment, and carrying out a punishment, is an emotional experience that binds together members of groups and establishes a sense of community.' This statement is most closely associated with which theory of deviance?
A)Functionalist perspective (as represented by Emile Durkheim)
B)Labelling theory
C)Differential association
D)Constructionist approach

Accepted Answer

This statement emphasizes the role of deviance in creating a sense of community through the shared experience of identifying and punishing wrongdoing. This is a key aspect of the functionalist perspective, which views deviance as serving an important social function in providing moral boundaries and reinforcing social norms.

Question 10

Sociologist Terry Williams finds that to become a successful drug dealer, a youth must learn a number of skills: pleasing the boss, meeting goals, and getting along with associates.These specific findings support
A)labelling theory.
B)differential association.
C)structural strain.
D)the constructionist approach.

Accepted Answer

Williams' findings align with the differential association theory, which posits that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others who have engaged in similar behavior. In this case, the skills required for success as a drug dealer are likely taught and reinforced by associates within the drug trade.

Question 11

Conceptions of what is deviant vary across time and place.

Accepted Answer

Conceptions of what is considered deviant behavior are not fixed and can vary based on cultural, social, and historical contexts. What may be considered deviant in one time or place may not be in another. For example, homosexuality was once widely considered deviant behavior in Western societies, but attitudes towards it have shifted in recent decades. Similarly, some behaviors that may be seen as normal or even admirable in one culture may be viewed as deviant in another.

Question 12

Which one of the following statements is most closely associated with differential association theory?
A)It is impossible for any society to be entirely free of deviance.
B)Behaviour that is unthinkable in an individual who is acting on his or her own may be executed without hesitation when carried out under orders.
C)When people become criminals, they do so because of contacts with criminal patterns and because of isolation from anti-criminal influences.
D)Deviance is a consequence not of a particular behaviour but of the application of rules and sanctions.

Accepted Answer

Differential association theory, developed by Edwin Sutherland, suggests that individuals learn deviant behaviour through their interactions with others who engage in similar behaviour. This theory emphasizes the importance of socialization and the influence of peers, family, and community in shaping individuals' perceptions of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Choice C directly reflects this theory, highlighting the role of contacts with criminal patterns and isolation from anti-criminal influences in the development of criminal behaviour.

Question 13

'Deviance depends on whether people notice it.' This statement is most closely associated with which theory of deviance?
A)Functionalist perspective (as represented by Emile Durkheim)
B)Labelling theory
C)Constructionist approach
D)Structural strain

Accepted Answer

Labelling theory states that deviance is not inherent in any particular act or person, but instead is defined by society and depends on whether or not individuals or groups are labelled as deviant. The statement "deviance depends on whether people notice it" is consistent with this perspective.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is not associated with differential association theory?
A)Criminals constitute a special type of conformist in that they conform to the norms of the group with which they associate.
B)Contact with deviant subcultures alone is responsible for turning people into criminals.
C)Exposure to criminal patterns and isolation from anti-criminal influences put people at risk of turning criminal.
D)People learn criminal behaviour from closely interacting with those who engage in and approve of law-breaking activities.

Accepted Answer

Contact with deviant subcultures alone is not the only factor responsible for turning people into criminals according to differential association theory. The theory also includes the idea that exposure to criminal patterns and isolation from anti-criminal influences put people at risk of turning criminal, and that people learn criminal behavior from interacting with those who engage in and approve of law-breaking activities.

Question 15

'A deviant individual, whether a thief or revisionist, becomes deviant because of "bad" education or association with "bad" influences.' This statement represents the essential assumptions underlying
A)structural strain theory.
B)differential association theory.
C)labelling theory.
D)constructionist theory.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that deviance is learned through association with deviant individuals, which is the central premise of differential association theory. Structural strain theory focuses on the strain caused by discrepancies between societal goals and the means to achieve them, while labeling theory emphasizes the social construction of deviance. Constructionist theory is a broad term that encompasses various perspectives that emphasize the role of social construction in shaping reality.

Question 16

Criminal behaviour is not simply the result of association with criminal ways - other factors such as social settings that offer people the opportunity to commit particular types of crime also play a role.These factors are known as
A)differential associations.
B)juvenile delinquency.
C)illegitimate opportunity structures.
D)corporate crimes.

Accepted Answer

Illegitimate opportunity structures refer to situations where individuals have access to criminal opportunities due to their social and economic circumstances, such as living in poverty or being a member of a criminal network. This can lead to involvement in criminal behavior, even if the individual may not have been previously exposed to criminal associations or values. Differential associations refer specifically to the influence of associating with others who engage in criminal behavior. Juvenile delinquency refers to youth involvement in criminal acts. Corporate crimes refer to illegal actions taken by businesses or corporations. None of these other options fully address the role of social opportunity structures in criminal behavior, making C the best choice.

Question 17

'Deviance is likely to be high when the legitimate opportunities for meeting the culturally-valued goals are closed to a significant portion of people.' This statement is most closely associated with which theory of deviance?
A)Labelling theory
B)Differential association
C)Constructionist approach
D)Structural strain

Accepted Answer

This statement is most closely associated with Structural strain theory, which argues that deviance occurs when there is a mismatch between culturally-valued goals and legitimate means of achieving them, resulting in strain and pressure to deviate from conventional means to attain those goals. When legitimate opportunities for meeting culturally-valued goals are closed to a significant portion of people, this strain and pressure can be particularly acute, increasing the likelihood of deviance.

Question 18

Sanctions can be positive or negative.

Accepted Answer

Sanctions can be a tool for both punishment (negative) or reward (positive) depending on the desired outcome. For example, sanctions can be used to incentivize a country to comply with international agreements or to punish a regime for human rights violations.

Question 19

Jabu Sihtole, who works for East Rand Labs., pleaded guilty to submitting false lab analyses of contamination at 'clean up' sites.East Rand Labs charged companies R60 000 for these analyses.Sithole submitted false results because she wanted return business.She committed a(n)
A)corporate crime.
B)act of retreatism.
C)white-collar crime.
D)act of rebellion.

Accepted Answer

Jabu Sihtole committed a white-collar crime by submitting false lab analyses for financial gain. This type of crime is typically carried out by individuals who hold positions of power or authority within a company or organization, and it typically involves financial fraud, embezzlement, or other forms of deception.

Question 20

The theory of differential association focuses on
A)how a person comes to learn the norms of a deviant subculture.
B)how an act comes to be labelled as deviant.
C)the function of deviance.
D)obedience to authority.

Accepted Answer

The theory of differential association suggests that people learn to be deviant or non-deviant through their social interactions with others, particularly in the context of small, intimate groups. This learning process involves exposure to and adoption of the norms, values, and beliefs of the deviant subculture, which can then shape an individual's attitudes and behaviors towards deviance. Therefore, option A is the best choice as it directly relates to the theory of differential association.

Quiz 15: Deviance, Crime and Social Control

'Claims makers play important roles in defining deviance and responses to it.' This statement is most closely associated with which theory of deviance?

The sociological contribution to deviance is that it focuses on the deviant individual.

'Crimes committed by persons of respectability and high social status in the course of their occupations' are called

Although mores are considered unchangeable and absolute, they do change.

'Criminal behaviour is learned.' This statement is most closely associated with which theory of deviance?

'When persons become criminals, they do so because of contacts with criminal patterns and also because of isolation from anti-criminal influences.' This statement represents an essential assumption that underlies ______________ theories.

Almost any behaviour or appearance can qualify as deviant under the right circumstances.

Ridicule is a formal sanction.

Sociologist Terry Williams finds that to become a successful drug dealer, a youth must learn a number of skills: pleasing the boss, meeting goals, and getting along with associates.These specific findings support

Conceptions of what is deviant vary across time and place.

Which one of the following statements is most closely associated with differential association theory?

'Deviance depends on whether people notice it.' This statement is most closely associated with which theory of deviance?

Which of the following statements is not associated with differential association theory?

'A deviant individual, whether a thief or revisionist, becomes deviant because of "bad" education or association with "bad" influences.' This statement represents the essential assumptions underlying

Criminal behaviour is not simply the result of association with criminal ways - other factors such as social settings that offer people the opportunity to commit particular types of crime also play a role.These factors are known as

'Deviance is likely to be high when the legitimate opportunities for meeting the culturally-valued goals are closed to a significant portion of people.' This statement is most closely associated with which theory of deviance?

Sanctions can be positive or negative.

Jabu Sihtole, who works for East Rand Labs., pleaded guilty to submitting false lab analyses of contamination at 'clean up' sites.East Rand Labs charged companies R60 000 for these analyses.Sithole submitted false results because she wanted return business.She committed a(n)

The theory of differential association focuses on