Question 1

General strain theory suggests that crime peaks during adolescence because adolescence is a time of high stress created by the weakening of parental supervision and the development of relationships with a diverse peer group.

Accepted Answer

General strain theory posits that individuals experience strain or stress when they are unable to achieve their goals, experience negative events or lose positive stimuli. Adolescents are particularly susceptible to strain due to the weakening of parental supervision, the development of new relationships with peers, and the pressure to meet academic and social expectations. This high level of strain can increase the likelihood of engaging in delinquent behavior.

Question 2

If a juvenile joins a gang in which he achieves his status through violence and toughness, which type of gang is he in according to Cloward and Ohlin's theory of differential opportunity?

Accepted Answer

According to Cloward and Ohlin's theory, a conflict gang is characterized by the use of violence and toughness to achieve status, as opposed to criminal gangs which focus on economic gain through illegal activities, or retreatist gangs which focus on drug use and withdrawal from society.

Question 3

People in the United States live in a stratified society.

Accepted Answer

The United States is a stratified society, meaning that there are different levels of social classes and inequalities in wealth, access to resources, and opportunities. The social stratification is based on factors such as income, education, occupation, and social status.

Question 4

While short-term national economic trends may have little effect on crime, long-term local unemployment rates may have a significant impact on conditions at the neighborhood level.

Accepted Answer

Long-term local unemployment rates can lead to poverty and social disorganization, which are associated with higher crime rates in neighborhoods. Short-term national economic trends may not be significant enough to create such conditions at the neighborhood level.

Question 5

Postindustrial social systems are highly developed and dependent upon the division of labor; people are connected by their interdependent needs for one another's services and production is referred to as organic solidarity

Accepted Answer

Postindustrial social systems are indeed highly developed and interdependent, with production being referred to as organic solidarity due to the division of labor and the dependence on one another's services.

Question 6

There is evidence that stress influences males and females equally; however, the degree to which it leads to criminal behavior is much higher among females than males.

Accepted Answer

The statement is inverted. Research suggests that stress contributes to criminal behavior more strongly in males than females.

Question 7

The unique value system that dominates life among the lower classes is known as:

Accepted Answer

Focal concerns refer to the unique value system that dominates life among the lower classes. This value system includes concerns such as toughness, street smarts, excitement, and personal autonomy. The concept of focal concerns was introduced by criminologist Walter Miller in his book "Lower-Class Culture as a Generating Milieu of Gang Delinquency".

Question 8

The three branches of social structure theory are social disorganization, deterrence, and cultural deviance.

Accepted Answer

The three branches of social structure theory are social disorganization, strain, and cultural deviance. Deterrence is not considered a branch of social structure theory, but rather a component of rational choice theory.

Question 9

Shaw and McKay identified transitional neighborhoods as being poverty-ridden areas that suffered high rates of population turnover and that were incapable of inducing residents to remain and defend the neighborhoods against criminal groups.

Accepted Answer

Shaw and McKay's social disorganization theory highlighted how transitional neighborhoods, characterized by poverty and high population turnover, lacked the social cohesion necessary to combat crime effectively.

Question 10

Findings suggest that poverty experienced during adolescence may have a more severe impact than poverty experienced during early childhood or during adulthood.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Findings suggest that poverty experienced during adolescence...

Question 11

The application of sociological concepts to criminology can be traced to the works of Quetelet and Durkheim.

Accepted Answer

Quetelet and Durkheim are considered to be pioneers in the application of sociological concepts to criminology. Quetelet focused on the use of statistical data to understand crime patterns, while Durkheim emphasized the social factors that contribute to criminal behavior.

Question 12

Societal dispersion refers to the condition that exists when wealthy people and poverty-stricken people live in close proximity to one another.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Societal dispersion refers to the condition that...

Question 13

Cloward and Ohlin's theory of differential opportunity states that people in all strata of society share the same success goals but those in the lower class have limited means for achieving them. Because of differential opportunity, kids are likely to:

Accepted Answer

According to Cloward and Ohlin's theory of differential opportunity, individuals in the lower class have limited means for achieving success goals. Therefore, they are likely to turn to illegitimate means of achieving them, such as joining gangs. This provides them with a sense of community, support, and the opportunity to gain status within the gang through criminal activities.

Question 14

Which focal concern involves being independent of authority figures?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy refers to the desire to be independent and self-reliant, free from the control or influence of others.

Question 15

According to general strain theory, strain can be the result of the failure to achieve positively valued goals, the removal of positively valued stimuli, or the presentation of negatively viewed stimuli.

Accepted Answer

General strain theory posits that strain can result from the failure to achieve positively valued goals, the removal of positively valued stimuli, or the presentation of negatively viewed stimuli.

Question 16

In neighborhoods where collective efficacy is high, children are less likely to become involved with deviant peers and less likely to engage in problem behaviors.

Accepted Answer

Collective efficacy, which involves social cohesion and shared expectations for social control, can create an environment that discourages deviant behavior and supports positive development in children.

Question 17

Structural strain suggests that economic and social sources of strain shape collective human behavior.

Accepted Answer

Structural strain theory suggests that social and economic factors can create strain and pressure on individuals in a society, which can influence their behavior and potentially lead to deviant or criminal acts.

Question 18

Anomie is derived from the French word nomos , meaning "without feeling."

Accepted Answer

Anomie is derived from the Greek word anomia, which means "without law" or "lawlessness." It does not come from the French word nomos meaning "without feeling."

Question 19

Societies held together by traditions, shared values, and unquestioned beliefs (i.e., mechanical solidarity) are the most likely to develop anomie.

Accepted Answer

Societies held together by mechanical solidarity are more cohesive and have a stronger sense of shared values, which reduces the risk of anomie. Anomie is more common in societies with organic solidarity, which are held together by the interdependence of individuals with diverse social roles and values.

Question 20

According to focal concern theory, which of the following is not identified as a lower-class focal concern?

Accepted Answer

Smartness, trouble, and excitement are all identified as lower-class focal concerns in focal concern theory, but achievement is not. Upper-class individuals are more likely to prioritize achievement and success, while lower-class individuals may prioritize other concerns such as street smarts and excitement.

Quiz 6: Social Structure Theories