Question 1

Discuss the difficulty in coming up with a definition of deviance.

Accepted Answer

The difficulty in coming up with a definition of deviance lies in the fact that what is considered deviant behavior can vary greatly depending on cultural, societal, and historical contexts. Deviance is not an inherent quality of an action or behavior, but rather a social construct that is defined and enforced by the norms and values of a particular group or society.

What is considered deviant in one culture or society may be completely acceptable in another. For example, behaviors such as drinking alcohol, gambling, or engaging in premarital sex may be considered deviant in some cultures, while in others they are widely accepted.

Furthermore, the definition of deviance can change over time within a society. What was once considered deviant behavior may become normalized as societal attitudes and values shift. For example, attitudes towards homosexuality have evolved over time, with behavior that was once considered deviant now being widely accepted in many societies.

Additionally, the labeling of certain behaviors as deviant can be influenced by power dynamics and social inequalities. Those in positions of power often have the ability to define what is considered deviant and to enforce sanctions against those who engage in such behavior. This can lead to the stigmatization and marginalization of certain groups within society.

In conclusion, the difficulty in defining deviance stems from its subjective and socially constructed nature. It is important to recognize that what is considered deviant is not fixed or universal, but rather shaped by the norms, values, and power dynamics of a particular society.

Question 2

What are Beccaria's beliefs on crime and humanity and why did those beliefs develop along those lines? How did the Neoclassicists refine Beccaria's philosophy?

Accepted Answer

Cesare Beccaria, an Italian philosopher and criminologist, believed that crime was a result of the individual's rational choice and that punishment should be proportionate to the crime committed. He also believed in the concept of free will and that individuals have the ability to make rational decisions. Beccaria's beliefs on crime and humanity developed along those lines because he was influenced by the Enlightenment movement, which emphasized reason, individual rights, and the pursuit of happiness. He believed that by understanding the rational motivations behind criminal behavior, society could create a more just and effective system of punishment.

The Neoclassicists refined Beccaria's philosophy by further developing the idea of proportionate punishment and emphasizing the importance of individual responsibility. They also focused on the idea of deterrence, believing that the certainty and severity of punishment could deter individuals from committing crimes. Additionally, the Neoclassicists emphasized the need for a fair and impartial legal system, free from arbitrary and excessive punishment. Overall, Beccaria's beliefs on crime and humanity laid the foundation for the Neoclassical school of criminology, which sought to create a more rational and just approach to understanding and addressing criminal behavior.

Question 3

Why would a positivist be considered a determinist?

Accepted Answer

A positivist might be considered a determinist because positivism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes empirical evidence and scientific methods as the primary means to acquire knowledge. Positivism is grounded in the belief that the only authentic knowledge is that which is based on actual sense experience and positive verification. This approach often leads to the conclusion that all phenomena, including human behavior, can be explained by laws of cause and effect that are discoverable through scientific investigation.

Determinism, on the other hand, is the philosophical doctrine that all events, including moral choices, are completely determined by previously existing causes. Determinism is often associated with the idea that everything that happens is the result of a sequence of causes and effects that could not have unfolded differently than they did.

The connection between positivism and determinism lies in the positivist commitment to the scientific method and the search for regularities and causal laws in the natural and social world. If a positivist believes that all phenomena are governed by such laws, they may also believe that human behavior and decisions are determined by factors that can be understood through scientific inquiry. This perspective implies that, given enough information and understanding of the causal laws, one could predict human behavior with the same certainty that one predicts the outcomes of natural processes.

In summary, a positivist might be considered a determinist because they often hold that the scientific method can uncover the laws that govern all phenomena, including human actions, leading to the conclusion that human behavior is determined by these laws and not by free will or random chance.

Question 4

Describe a positivistic method.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe a positivistic method....

Question 5

What are the potential dangers of positivism? The benefits?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the potential dangers of positivism?...

Question 6

The first generally recognized school of criminology was the positivist school.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The first generally recognized school of criminology...

Question 7

According to Cesare Beccaria, humans are fundamentally rational and hedonistic; they possess free will and make deliberate decisions to behave based upon a calculation of the pain and pleasure involved.

Accepted Answer

Cesare Beccaria believed in the rational and hedonistic nature of humans, and that they make deliberate decisions based on a calculation of pleasure and pain. He also believed in the concept of free will.

Question 8

Phrenology is the determination of mental facilities and character traits from the shape of the skull.

Accepted Answer

Phrenology was a popular theory in the 1800s, but it has since been discredited and is not considered a valid scientific method for determining character traits.

Question 9

Cesare Lombroso described the atavist as a throwback to an earlier stage in human development whose physical traits tend to cause criminal behavior.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Cesare Lombroso described the atavist as a...

Question 10

Earnest Albert Hooton attempted to explain juvenile delinquency by examining the relationship between body type or physique and particular patterns of mental and behavioral characteristics or temperaments.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Earnest Albert Hooton attempted to explain juvenile...

Question 11

_________ is any behavior or physical appearance that is socially challenged and condemned because it departs from the norms and expectations of a group.

Accepted Answer

The answer of _________ is any behavior or physical appearance...

Question 12

In dealing with deviance scientifically, the _________ approach shifts attention away from the rational deviant seeking happiness to one whose behavior is determined by forces beyond her or his control (i.e. biological, psychogenic, etc )

Accepted Answer

The answer of In dealing with deviance scientifically, the _________...

Question 13

What or who is deviant varies according to:

Accepted Answer

Deviant behavior is not defined by a fixed set of rules but varies according to time, context, and whose interests are affected. It can change over time as social norms and values change. The context of the behavior and the setting in which it takes place are important in determining whether a behavior is considered deviant or not. Finally, the interests of the people or group affected by the behavior also matter in defining deviancy. Therefore, all of the factors mentioned in the options (time, context, and whose interests are endangered) contribute to determining deviance.

Question 14

Cesare Beccaria is associated with what is now called the classical school of criminology. According to Beccaria's writings, human behavior is based on:

Accepted Answer

Beccaria argued that human behavior is based on rational calculation, where individuals weigh the potential costs and benefits of their actions before deciding whether or not to engage in them.

Question 15

The classical school of criminology was principally a reaction against:

Accepted Answer

The classical school of criminology emerged as a reaction against the arbitrary and often brutal punishment meted out by the justice system of the time. It advocated for a more rational and humane approach to punishment, emphasizing that penalties should be proportional to the crime and that the law should apply equally to all.

Question 16

Positivism is a philosophical approach to knowledge. It assumes that knowledge is best acquired from:

Accepted Answer

Positivism assumes that knowledge is best acquired from what can be observed and measured, i.e. tangible evidence.

Question 17

As an approach to understanding deviant behavior, positivism appeals to groups in power because:

Accepted Answer

Positivism justifies treating deviants as fundamentally non-normal by using scientific methods and promoting the idea that deviance is rooted in biological and psychological factors. This approach offers a way for those in power to justify their actions and maintain the status quo. By emphasizing the scientific basis of deviance, positivism can lend legitimacy to repressive measures taken against deviants. Therefore, option C is the best option.

Question 18

An assumption of the positivist approach to deviant behavior is that:

Accepted Answer

The positivist approach assumes that deviance is a result of a pathology, meaning there is a biological or psychological explanation for why someone engages in deviant behavior. This approach emphasizes the importance of scientific research to understand and prevent deviance.

Question 19

The earliest scientific study of deviants was associated with:

Accepted Answer

Phrenology was the earliest scientific study of deviants, which attempted to link personality traits and criminal behavior to the shape of the skull.

Question 20

Phrenology declined in influence as an explanation of deviance because:

Accepted Answer

Phrenology was seen as too fatalistic, meaning it suggested that one's behavior and deviance were predetermined by their physical characteristics and could not be changed. This went against the idea of agency and free will, which became more valued in the intellectual community.

Quiz 1: Perspectives on Deviance