Question 1

Harold started using drugs when he was 17.By the time Harold turned 20 he was living on the streets.According to Merton,Henry is a/n
A) conformist.
B) innovator.
C) ritualist.
D) retreatist.
E) rebel.

Accepted Answer

According to Merton's strain theory, a retreatist is someone who rejects both societal goals and the means of achieving them, often withdrawing from society, which aligns with Harold's situation of living on the streets and using drugs.

Question 2

Completing college,working hard,and making sacrifices are examples of Merton's
A) institutionalized goals.
B) institutionalized means.
C) cultural strain.
D) cultural means.
E) cultural goals.

Accepted Answer

These are examples of institutionalized means, which are the socially accepted methods to achieve cultural goals according to Merton's strain theory.

Question 3

When Damion was 16,his family moved from Germany to the United States.In Germany,the legal drinking age was 16,but in the United States it is 21.Damion was confused by these differing rules and experienced
A) sanctioning.
B) anomie.
C) social control.
D) deviance.
E) strain.

Accepted Answer

Damion experienced anomie, which is a state of normlessness or confusion that arises when there is a lack of consistency between cultural norms or between cultural norms and individual behavior. The differing legal drinking ages in Germany and the United States caused him to feel confused and unsure about what was expected of him in terms of alcohol consumption.

Question 4

Henry's family was unable to pay their bills last month.He wanted the best for his family,but had a low-paying job.To "earn" some extra cash,be began selling fraudulent tickets at the Civic Center.According to Merton,Henry is a/n
A) conformist.
B) innovator.
C) ritualist.
D) retreatist.
E) rebel.

Accepted Answer

According to Robert Merton's Strain Theory, an innovator is someone who seeks to achieve their goals through unconventional and sometimes illegal means, because they are unable to attain them through legitimate channels. In this scenario, Henry's low-paying job was a source of strain, and he resorted to selling fraudulent tickets to make extra money. Therefore, Henry's actions are an example of innovation.

Question 5

Your sociology professor and college dean are examples of people who have a strong effect on your
A) informal social controls.
B) formal social controls.
C) internal social controls.
D) external social controls.
E) positive social controls.

Accepted Answer

The sociology professor and college dean are examples of individuals who hold formal social controls. Formal social controls are defined as "established, written rules or laws developed by a particular society." As figureheads of the institution, the professor and dean have a significant influence on the formal norms and regulations of the college.

Question 6

The majority of people respond to blocked institutionalized means through which of Merton's modes of adaptation?
A) conformity
B) innovation
C) ritualism
D) retreatism
E) rebellion

Accepted Answer

Conformity is the most common mode of adaptation to blocked institutionalized means according to Merton's strain theory. This means individuals continue to pursue cultural goals through socially accepted means, even if those means are not providing success. They may believe that they will eventually succeed if they continue to work hard and follow the rules.

Question 7

According to Merton,Americans are taught to strive towards the "American Dream" of economic success.He called these aspirations
A) institutionalized goals.
B) institutionalized means.
C) cultural strain.
D) cultural means.
E) cultural goals.

Accepted Answer

Merton referred to these aspirations as "cultural goals", as they are instilled in American culture as something to strive towards.

Question 8

Crime and deviance are dysfunctional when they
A) dissolve tensions and insecurity.
B) erode trust in personal and formal relationships.
C) increase confidence in institutions.
D) create trust in personal relationships.
E) provide temporary safety valves.

Accepted Answer

Crime and deviance erode trust in both personal and formal relationships, leading to social disintegration and potential breakdown of social order. This dysfunctional aspect of crime and deviance is well documented in the field of sociology.

Question 9

_____ refers to a situation in which people are unsure of how to behave because of absent,conflicting,or confusing social norms.
A) Sanction
B) Anomie
C) Social control
D) Deviance
E) Strain

Accepted Answer

Anomie refers to a state of normlessness where individuals cannot rely on social norms to guide their behavior. This can lead to confusion and uncertainty about how one should behave in a given situation.

Question 10

Which one of these statements about functionalist theories on deviance and crime is false?
A) They overlook the fact that not every American sees financial success as a major goal in life.
B) They don't explain why women's crime rates are much lower than men's.
C) They ignore the role of social structure in explaining deviance and crime.
D) They don't explain crimes of passion and rage.
E) They typically focus on street crimes rather than white-collar crimes.

Accepted Answer

Functionalism places emphasis on the importance of social norms and values in shaping individuals' behavior, but it tends to overlook the impact of social structures (such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality) on deviance and crime. The other statements are accurate reflections of the limitations of functionalist theories on deviance and crime.

Question 11

Hank lives in northern Michigan and participates in a paramilitary group.They oppose the federal government and plan to replace it with their own form of government.According to Merton,Hank is a/n
A) conformist.
B) innovator.
C) ritualist.
D) retreatist.
E) rebel.

Accepted Answer

Hank's participation in a group that opposes the federal government and aims to establish their own form of government indicates that he is a rebel, according to Merton's typology. Rebels reject both the goals and means of society and seek to replace them with their own.

Question 12

Durkheim introduced the term anomie,but _____ elaborated on the concept to explain how social structure can create deviance.
A) Sutherland
B) Bogel
C) Merton
D) Becker
E) Lembert

Accepted Answer

Robert Merton elaborated on Durkheim's concept of anomie and developed the theory of strain theory, which argues that deviance arises when there is a disconnect between the cultural goals that society encourages individuals to strive for and the opportunities available to achieve these goals. This disconnect creates strain or pressure, which can lead to deviant behavior as individuals seek alternative means to achieve their goals.

Question 13

_______ believe that crime occurs when people experience blocked opportunities like the culturally approved goal of economic success.
A) Functionalists
B) Conflict theorists
C) Feminist theorists
D) Symbolic interactionists
E) Criminologists

Accepted Answer

Functionalists believe that crime occurs when people experience blocked opportunities to achieve culturally approved goals, such as economic success. They argue that when individuals are unable to attain success through conventional means, they may turn to criminal behavior as an alternative way to achieve their goals. This is known as strain theory, which views crime as a response to social inequality and the unequal distribution of opportunities.

Question 14

According to Merton,U.S society emphasizes ______ to achieve economic success.
A) institutionalized goals.
B) institutionalized means.
C) cultural strain.
D) cultural means.
E) cultural goals.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Merton,U.S society emphasizes ______ to...

Question 15

Sanctions are
A) endorsements of certain behaviors.
B) forms of conformity that are written into law.
C) inconsistent forms of punishment.
D) rewards or punishments for obeying or violating a norm.
E) illegal activities conducted online.

Accepted Answer

Sanctions are typically defined as rewards or punishments for obeying or violating a norm. They may take many forms, including social disapproval, fines, imprisonment, or outright violence. Sanctions can be formal (written into law) or informal (unwritten rules or mores). Regardless of their form, sanctions are used to regulate behavior within a society or culture.

Question 16

Heather has been teaching for 25 years at the local junior high school.She does not care about a big pay check and has stopped caring about the success of her students.Heather is just doing enough to make it to retirement.According to Merton,Heather is a/n
A) conformist.
B) innovator.
C) ritualist.
D) retreatist.
E) rebel.

Accepted Answer

Heather's behavior of going through the motions of teaching without caring about the success of her students or a big pay check aligns with the concept of ritualism in Merton's strain theory. Ritualists focus on following the rules and meeting societal expectations without seeking to achieve the cultural goals. Heather's focus on making it to retirement without striving for success aligns with this behavior.

Question 17

_____ ask why some deviant acts are defined as criminal while others are not.
A) Functionalists
B) Conflict theorists
C) Feminist theorists
D) Symbolic interactionists
E) Strain theorists

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists would ask why certain actions are defined as criminal while others are not because they believe that criminal behavior is not necessarily based on objective standards but instead on the power dynamics within society. They would argue that those in power determine what actions are defined as criminal in order to maintain their power and control over marginalized groups.

Question 18

As a child,Jeanne was constantly punished by her parents for not following directions and for disobeying the house rules.Jeanne experienced
A) informal social controls.
B) formal social controls.
C) external sanctions.
D) positive sanctions.
E) negative sanctions.

Accepted Answer

Jeanne experienced negative sanctions in the form of punishments from her parents for not following directions and disobeying the house rules.

Question 19

Crime and deviance are functional when they
A) affirm cultural norms and values.
B) erode trust in personal and formal relationships.
C) create tension and insecurity.
D) are costly.
E) damage confidence in institutions.

Accepted Answer

According to some functionalist perspectives, crime and deviance can be functional for society as they affirm cultural norms and values by creating a shared sense of right and wrong. Crime allows for the reinforcement of social boundaries and the maintenance of social order.

Question 20

Larry completed a project at work two days earlier than he originally planned.Larry's boss congratulated him and his co-workers gave him "high fives" when they saw him.Larry was experiencing
A) informal social controls.
B) formal social controls.
C) external sanctions.
D) positive sanctions.
E) negative sanctions.

Accepted Answer

Larry received positive feedback and recognition for completing the project earlier than planned. This is an example of positive sanctions, which are rewards or praise for conforming to social norms or expectations.

Quiz 7: Deviance, Crime, And The Criminal Justice System

Harold started using drugs when he was 17.By the time Harold turned 20 he was living on the streets.According to Merton,Henry is a/n

Completing college,working hard,and making sacrifices are examples of Merton's

When Damion was 16,his family moved from Germany to the United States.In Germany,the legal drinking age was 16,but in the United States it is 21.Damion was confused by these differing rules and experienced

Henry's family was unable to pay their bills last month.He wanted the best for his family,but had a low-paying job.To "earn" some extra cash,be began selling fraudulent tickets at the Civic Center.According to Merton,Henry is a/n

Your sociology professor and college dean are examples of people who have a strong effect on your

The majority of people respond to blocked institutionalized means through which of Merton's modes of adaptation?

According to Merton,Americans are taught to strive towards the "American Dream" of economic success.He called these aspirations

Crime and deviance are dysfunctional when they

_____ refers to a situation in which people are unsure of how to behave because of absent,conflicting,or confusing social norms.

Which one of these statements about functionalist theories on deviance and crime is false?

Hank lives in northern Michigan and participates in a paramilitary group.They oppose the federal government and plan to replace it with their own form of government.According to Merton,Hank is a/n

Durkheim introduced the term anomie,but _____ elaborated on the concept to explain how social structure can create deviance.

_______ believe that crime occurs when people experience blocked opportunities like the culturally approved goal of economic success.

According to Merton,U.S society emphasizes ______ to achieve economic success.

Sanctions are

Heather has been teaching for 25 years at the local junior high school.She does not care about a big pay check and has stopped caring about the success of her students.Heather is just doing enough to make it to retirement.According to Merton,Heather is a/n

_____ ask why some deviant acts are defined as criminal while others are not.

As a child,Jeanne was constantly punished by her parents for not following directions and for disobeying the house rules.Jeanne experienced

Crime and deviance are functional when they

Larry completed a project at work two days earlier than he originally planned.Larry's boss congratulated him and his co-workers gave him "high fives" when they saw him.Larry was experiencing