Question 1

In Thio's power theory, why do lower-status individuals find themselves less likely to engage in positive deviance?

Accepted Answer

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Question 2

When applying Thio's power theory to positive deviance, what kind of person is more likely to receive recognition for engaging in positive deviance?

Accepted Answer

Thio's power theory suggests that individuals with more power, such as those who are wealthier or have higher status, are more likely to be recognized for engaging in positive deviance because their actions are more visible and they have the resources to promote their deviant acts as positive.

Question 3

Which statement summarizes opportunity theory?

Accepted Answer

Opportunity theory suggests that deviance (positive or negative) is influenced by access to opportunity structures that facilitate certain behaviors. Statement D correctly summarizes this by highlighting the role of structures that enable creativity and innovation in increasing the likelihood of engaging in positive deviance.

Question 4

Research suggests that good predictors of winning a Nobel Prize are family background and being educated at an elite college or university. Which theoretical perspective does this reflect?

Accepted Answer

Opportunity theory suggests that access to resources and opportunities, such as being educated at elite institutions or coming from a privileged family background, can significantly influence one's chances of achieving high levels of success, such as winning a Nobel Prize.

Question 5

According to ______ theory, if a student is told they are unusually creative and inquisitive, they are more likely to engage in innovation.

Accepted Answer

Labeling theory suggests that the labels people are given affect their own and others' perceptions of them, influencing their behavior accordingly. If a student is labeled as creative and inquisitive, they may internalize this label and behave in ways that align with it, such as engaging in more innovative activities.

Question 6

Innovative, virtuous, and altruistic behaviors can all exemplify positive deviance.

Accepted Answer

Positive deviance refers to actions that deviate from the norms of a referent group in honorable ways, thereby innovative, virtuous, and altruistic behaviors can indeed exemplify positive deviance as they represent beneficial deviations from the norm.

Question 7

There is little disagreement about the concept of positive deviance.

Accepted Answer

Positive deviance is a concept that has generated considerable debate and discussion among scholars and practitioners. It refers to the idea that in any community or organization, there are individuals whose uncommon but successful behaviors or strategies enable them to find better solutions to problems than their peers, despite having access to the same resources. The disagreement arises over how to identify positive deviants, the methods used to study them, and the applicability of their strategies across different contexts or cultures.

Question 8

Usain Bolt, widely regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time, exemplifies positive deviance because his speed is radically outside the norm.

Accepted Answer

Positive deviance refers to an individual or group behavior that is outside the norm but in a positive way, leading to desirable outcomes. Usain Bolt's extraordinary speed and his achievements in sprinting, which are significantly beyond the norm, make him a prime example of positive deviance in the realm of athletics.

Question 9

Positive deviance is a controversial concept because some argue that if something is positive, it cannot also be deviant.

Accepted Answer

Positive deviance refers to actions that deviate from the norms of a community or society but in a way that has positive outcomes. The controversy stems from the traditional view of deviance as negative or harmful, challenging the notion that deviant behavior can also produce beneficial results.

Question 10

One type of positive deviance identified in the literature is moral superiority.

Accepted Answer

Positive deviance refers to behaviors or strategies that enable individuals or groups to find better solutions to problems than their peers, despite having similar resources. It is not about moral superiority but about effective practices.

Question 11

The six individual resources required for creative people are intelligence, knowledge, motivation, synthetic thinking, analytical thinking, and practical thinking.

Accepted Answer

The six resources typically associated with creativity are intelligence, knowledge, motivation, environment, thinking styles, and personality traits, not specifically synthetic, analytical, and practical thinking.

Question 12

Compared to their representation in the population, people with a Jewish background are underrepresented in the pool of Nobel prizewinners.

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

Elite scholars commonly value traditionalism and reinforcing the status quo.

Accepted Answer

Elite scholars often challenge existing knowledge and push for innovation, rather than merely valuing traditionalism and reinforcing the status quo.

Question 14

Authoritarianism is a key quality of highly productive scholars.

Accepted Answer

Authoritarianism refers to a form of governance or leadership style characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms, which is not directly related to the productivity of scholars. Scholarly productivity is more closely associated with qualities like creativity, discipline, and expertise in one's field.

Question 15

Compared to their representation in the population, Catholics are overrepresented in the pool of Nobel prizewinners.

Accepted Answer

Catholics are underrepresented in the pool of Nobel Prize winners compared to their proportion of the world's population.

Question 16

Dr. Griffiths believes that being educated in elite colleges and universities by eminent scientists and scholars significantly enhances the students' opportunities to excel later in life. Her beliefs are in line with opportunity theory.

Accepted Answer

Opportunity theory suggests that access to valuable resources, such as quality education and influential networks, significantly enhances individuals' chances for success. Dr. Griffiths' belief aligns with this theory, as she posits that education from elite institutions provides students with superior opportunities, including mentorship from eminent scholars, which can lead to greater achievements in life.

Question 17

According to opportunity theory, informal opportunity structures enhance individual innovation and creativity more than formal opportunity structures.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to opportunity theory, informal opportunity structures...

Question 18

When a society is characterized by high levels of social integration, innovation and creativity are more common.

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

Robert Agnew's strain theory has no explanatory value for understanding positive deviance.

Accepted Answer

Robert Agnew's strain theory primarily explains how societal pressure can lead to negative deviance (such as crime) due to the inability to achieve culturally approved goals. However, the framework can indirectly help understand positive deviance by examining how individuals adapt to strain through legal and socially approved means, thus achieving success or positive outcomes in unconventional ways.

Question 20

Alex Thio's power theory provides insight into both positive and traditional deviance.

Accepted Answer

Alex Thio's power theory explains how the distribution of power within society can lead to both positive and traditional (negative) forms of deviance, as those with more power are able to resist labeling and may engage in deviant acts that are either positively viewed or go unpunished, while those with less power are more likely to be labeled as deviant for negative behaviors.

Quiz 14: Positive Deviance