Question 1

In the past two decades or so, in the study of deviance, the influence of Marxist theory has:

Accepted Answer

The influence of Marxist theory in the study of deviance has generally decreased as other theoretical perspectives have gained prominence.

Question 2

Conflict theory is most likely to focus on what factor as the main cause of high rates of crime:

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory frames crime as a result of power imbalances and income inequalities within society. It argues that individuals in positions of power use their resources to maintain their position and suppress those with less power, leading to criminal behavior as a means of survival or resistance. Therefore, sharp inequalities in power and income are likely to be seen as the main cause of high rates of crime from a conflict theory perspective.

Question 3

One of the arguments feminists make about pre-feminist theories of deviance is that these theories ignored the deviance of women and, when they occasionally discussed it, they also tended to focus on a very narrow range of types of deviance. Two of these stereotypical female types of deviance were prostitution and shoplifting. A third was:

Accepted Answer

Pre-feminist theories of deviance often focused on a narrow range of female deviances, including prostitution, shoplifting, and mental illness, reflecting societal stereotypes and biases rather than a comprehensive understanding of women's deviance.

Question 4

Feminists argue that when women do appear in deviance research, they are often relegated to the periphery of attention, with men given center stage. What is the most appropriate term for the phenomenon of a male-centered bias?

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate term for the phenomenon of a male-centered bias is androcentrism, which refers to a bias that places males or masculinity at the center of attention, with female or feminine experiences being marginalized or ignored. This bias is particularly relevant in deviance research, where women are often overlooked or seen as deviant only in relation to men. Sexism and patriarchy are related concepts but do not fully capture the specific phenomenon of androcentrism. Feminism is a broader movement and ideology that includes the critique of androcentrism but also addresses a range of other social, political, and economic issues related to gender equality. Male bias is a more general term that can refer to any bias in favor of males, but it does not capture the specific nature of the bias involved in androcentrism.

Question 5

Which of the following statements would a conflict theorist be most likely to agree with?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory emphasizes power struggles and hierarchies in society, and holds that most social institutions are designed to benefit the most powerful groups at the expense of less powerful groups. Therefore, a conflict theorist would be most likely to agree with statement D.

Question 6

Feminists argue that, prior to the emergence of feminism as a major perspective, sociologists of deviance typically:

Accepted Answer

Feminists argue that prior to the emergence of feminism as a major perspective, sociologists of deviance had a skewed view of women's deviance when they did study it, looking almost exclusively at particular, female-stereotyped types of behavior. They did not pay enough attention to other forms of deviance that women might engage in or the structural reasons for such behavior.

Question 7

Controlology, or the "new sociology of social control," was influenced most by the French philosopher Michel Foucault, who argues that in the modern era, social control is:

Accepted Answer

Michel Foucault's work, particularly his analysis of power relations and how they are exercised within society, does not align directly with the options A through D provided. His theories suggest that modern social control is pervasive, multifaceted, and embedded within various institutions and discourses, rather than being simply positive, equitable, less coercive, or solely informal.

Question 8

The central, guiding, foundational concept in all constructionist perspectives toward deviance is:

Accepted Answer

Social control is the central concept in constructionist perspectives toward deviance, as these theories view deviance as a socially constructed phenomenon that is defined and identified through the processes of social control. These processes involve institutions, norms, and values that are created and enforced by society to regulate behavior and maintain social order. This means that what is considered deviant or not deviant is not determined solely by the behavior itself, but rather by the social context in which it occurs and the collective judgments and reactions of others.

Question 9

Controlologists tend to focus on:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Controlologists tend to focus on:
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Question 10

Why did feminists criticize all other prior perspectives toward deviance and crime? According to feminism, what were the deficiencies and flaws of these perspectives? In their estimation, what would an adequate and valid theory of deviance and crime look like?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why did feminists criticize all other prior...

Question 11

Why have the labeling or interactionist theorists focused mainly on "soft" forms of deviance? What would a labeling perspective of "hard" or serious crime and deviance look like?

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

Marxists and other radicals have criticized the field of the sociology of deviance for concentrating overly much on the examination of "nuts, sluts, and deviated preverts"-that is, the seamy, sensationalistic forms of deviance committed by marginal, powerless street people. Instead, they argue, very different forms of behavior should be regarded and studied as deviance. What are these other forms of behavior and why, from a Marxist or radical perspective, should they be regarded as deviant? Why has the field of deviance ignored the Marxist or radical "nuts and sluts" criticisms?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Marxists and other radicals have criticized the...

Question 13

How does conflict theory as a form of constructionsm-that is, that examines inequality in the construction of the criminal laws-dovetail with conflict theory as an explanation of deviant and criminal behavior?

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

The labeling or interactionist theory of deviance has been criticized for ignoring the role of power in the social construction of norms and laws. Is this a justified criticism? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The labeling or interactionist theory of deviance...

Quiz 3: Constructing Deviance