Question 1

Traditionally, there are two broad ways to define deviance. What are they?

Accepted Answer

Deviance is traditionally defined in two broad ways: normative and situational. The normative definition of deviance refers to a violation of norms, which are rules or expectations for behavior in a given group or society. The situational definition acknowledges that what is considered deviant can vary depending on the context or situation.

Question 2

If I focus on defining deviance as human behavior that violates generally accepted norms, I am using the ______ perspective to define deviance.

Accepted Answer

The normative perspective on deviance focuses on behavior that violates societal norms or standards, which is exactly how the question defines deviance. This perspective is concerned with norms and rules of society and how deviation from these norms constitutes deviance.

Question 3

If I understand deviance by focusing primarily on when and where it occurs, I am using the ______ perspective.

Accepted Answer

The situational perspective emphasizes the context in which behavior occurs, suggesting that what is considered deviant can vary depending on the situation or setting. This approach focuses on the importance of when and where behavior happens to understand deviance.

Question 4

How are social norms different from social roles?

Accepted Answer

Social norms are the expected standards of conduct within a society, guiding how individuals should behave in general. Social roles, on the other hand, are more specific, defining the norms and behaviors expected of individuals in particular positions or statuses within a society. Thus, social roles can be seen as subsets of social norms, tailored to specific societal positions.

Question 5

When is the situational approach to defining deviance most useful?

Accepted Answer

The situational approach to defining deviance is most useful when there is disagreement about norms, as it considers the context and circumstances in which behavior occurs to determine if it is deviant.

Question 6

The prohibition against adults picking their noses with their fingers in public is an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

The prohibition against adults picking their noses with their fingers in public is an example of folkways, which are norms for routine or casual interaction. This includes ideas about appropriate greetings and proper dress in different situations. Unlike laws or mores, folkways do not carry a heavy moral significance and are not strictly enforced.

Question 7

The prohibition against marriage between siblings is an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

The prohibition against marriage between siblings is an example of mores, which are norms considered to have moral significance by a society, and violating them is seen as highly offensive or taboo.

Question 8

The restrictions placed on how fast people can drive in the United States reflect ______.

Accepted Answer

Speed limits in the United States are enforced through laws, which are formal rules and regulations that dictate how fast individuals can legally drive on various types of roads.

Question 9

According to Sumner, what determines whether behavior violates folkways, mores, or laws?

Accepted Answer

The severity of sanctions for the behavior determines whether it violates folkways, mores, or laws according to Sumner. Folkways involve minor norms with mild sanctions, mores involve significant norms with more serious sanctions, and laws involve formal norms with legal sanctions.

Question 10

Physicist Dr. Stephen Hawking, with a number of honorary degrees and prestigious accomplishments, including the publication of A Brief History of Time, is a good example of someone enacting ______ deviance.

Accepted Answer

Positive deviance refers to actions that deviate from the norms of the society but are regarded in a positive light. Stephen Hawking's achievements, despite his physical condition, are celebrated and admired, making them a form of positive deviance.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of episodic deviance?

Accepted Answer

Episodic deviance refers to instances of deviant behavior that occur sporadically or in specific contexts rather than as a consistent pattern of behavior. Yuning binge drinking at her 21st birthday party is an example of episodic deviance because it is a singular event tied to a specific occasion, rather than a habitual action.

Question 12

Spray painting graffiti on police cars is a form of ______ deviance.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Spray painting graffiti on police cars is...

Question 13

According to Kai Erikson, agents of social control ______.

Accepted Answer

Erikson suggests that agents of social control can sometimes encourage the very behavior they aim to stop, as their actions can highlight and reinforce the behavior within the community.

Question 14

A young adult who cannot successfully complete classes begins selling drugs to their former classmates. They feel a sense of belonging they lacked before. Which latent function of deviant behavior does this represent?

Accepted Answer

The latent function of providing a sense of identity is illustrated here, as the individual finds a sense of belonging and identity through engaging in deviant behavior, which they lacked previously.

Question 15

An imam organizes a protest march to draw attention to Islamophobia. Counterprotesters attend, inciting a riot that airs on the news, generating awareness of Islamophobia. What latent function of deviance does this primarily represent?

Accepted Answer

The latent function of deviance in this scenario is primarily "warning of the need for social change." The protest and subsequent riot, while not intended outcomes, serve to highlight underlying social issues, in this case, Islamophobia, signaling a need for societal adjustments or reforms.

Question 16

Lelani is a deviant. Therefore, she ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Lelani is a deviant. Therefore, she ______.
...

Question 17

What is a primary theme of this text?

Accepted Answer

The primary theme of the text is the emerging nature of deviant behavior in the digital age, indicating a focus on how deviance evolves with technological advancements and its implications in a modern, digital context.

Question 18

According to the text, what is one major issue with applying classical theories of deviant behavior to deviant behavior in contemporary society?

Accepted Answer

Classical theories of deviant behavior often assume social interaction occurs mainly in physical spaces, overlooking the significant role of digital spaces in contemporary society.

Question 19

According to the text, what impact does the Internet have on deviant behavior?

Accepted Answer

The Internet encourages the development of new forms of deviant behavior by providing a platform where such behaviors can emerge and evolve, often beyond the reach of traditional forms of social control.

Question 20

Social scientists study deviant behavior using ______, which means that social events are interpreted differently according to the cultural experiences and personal interests of those involved.

Accepted Answer

Social scientists use the concept of social relativity to explain how interpretations of social events, including deviant behavior, can vary widely based on individuals' cultural backgrounds and personal experiences. This concept acknowledges that there is no single, objective interpretation of social phenomena.

Quiz 1: Introduction to the Study of Deviant Behavior