Which of the following statements about total institutions is accurate?
A) Entrance into a total institution medicalizes criminal behavior.
B) Some total institutions are entered into voluntarily.
C) Most total institutions are easy to leave.
D) There are very few total institutions still in operation today.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Total institutions, as defined by sociologist Erving Goffman, are places where people are cut off from the wider society and lead an enclosed, formally administered life. Examples include prisons, military boot camps, convents, and some boarding schools. While many total institutions are not entered into by choice (such as prisons), others, like monasteries or certain boarding schools, can be entered voluntarily by individuals seeking a particular lifestyle or set of experiences. This makes option B correct.

Which of the Following Statements About Total Institutions Is Accurate