Question 1

Data collected for the Juvenile Court Statistics Program reflect class and racial bias in criminal justice enforcement. Children from minority, poor families are more likely to have their cases handled outside the juvenile justice system.

Accepted Answer

The statement is incorrect because children from minority, poor families are often more likely to have their cases handled within the juvenile justice system, rather than outside it, due to systemic biases.

Question 2

People are more likely to report crime when they believe that something can be done about it (for example, apprehension of the perpetrator or retrieval of their property). Thus, the number of crimes reported to police represents only the "tip of the iceberg" when compared with all offenses actually committed.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true, as people are more likely to report crimes when they believe there is a chance of justice being served. Therefore, the number of crimes reported to police is only a small proportion of all the crimes that are actually committed.

Question 3

Street graffiti is done solely by gang members.

Accepted Answer

Street graffiti can be done by anyone, not just gang members. It can be a form of expression, protest, or art. While some gang members may use graffiti to mark their territory or send messages to rival gangs, not all graffiti is gang-related.

Question 4

Based on sociologist Robert Merton's strain theory, innovation occurs when people accept culturally approved goals and pursue them through approved means. Persons who want to achieve success through innovation work hard and save their money.

Accepted Answer

Innovation occurs when people are unable to achieve culturally approved goals through approved means and so they resort to unconventional or illegal means. Persons who pursue success through innovation may not work hard and save their money.

Question 5

According to sociologist Emile Durkheim, deviance is universal because it serves three important functions: it clarifies rules, it unites a group, and it promotes social change.

Accepted Answer

According to Durkheim's theory of functionalism, deviance is universal and serves three important functions: (1) it clarifies the boundaries of acceptable behavior, (2) it reinforces social norms and values, and (3) it can promote social change by highlighting problems or injustices within a society. Therefore, deviance is seen as a necessary and functional component of any social system.

Question 6

Sociologist Walter Reckless stated that society produces pushes and pulls that move people toward criminal behavior; however, many people do not resort to deviance because of inner containments-such as supportive family and friends, reasonable social expectations, and supervision by others.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sociologist Walter Reckless stated that society produces...

Question 7

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is the major source of information on crimes reported in the United States. The (NCVS) is compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and focuses on eight major crimes, called index crimes.

Accepted Answer

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is not compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Instead, it is compiled by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). The NCVS focuses on a broader range of crimes than just the eight index crimes.

Question 8

According to sociologist Howard Becker, moral entrepreneurs are often the ones who create the rules about what constitutes deviant or conventional behavior. They use their own perspectives on "right and wrong" to establish the rules by which they expect other people to live.

Accepted Answer

Becker indeed argues that moral entrepreneurs are individuals or groups who create rules and labels related to deviance or conventional behavior according to their own moral perspectives.

Question 9

In contemporary societies, the criminal justice system, which includes the police, the courts, and the prisons, is the primary mechanism of internal social control.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In contemporary societies, the criminal justice system,...

Question 10

Functionalist theorists who focus on power relations in society suggest that the lifestyles considered deviant by political and economic elites are often defined as illegal. According to this approach, norms and laws are established for the benefit of those in power and do not reflect any absolute standard of right and wrong.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Functionalist theorists who focus on power relations...

Question 11

According to sociologist Lewis Yablonsky, today's gangs have become more varied in their activities and are more likely to engage in interracial conflicts; whereas, minority gangs in the past tended to band together to defend their turf from gangs of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Accepted Answer

According to sociologist Lewis Yablonsky, today's gangs have become more varied in their activities and are more likely to engage in interracial conflicts.

Question 12

Violent crime receives the most sustained attention from law enforcement officials and the media. Some analysts believe there might be a correlation between youth violence and media glorification of physical injury and killing.

Accepted Answer

Some analysts believe there might be a correlation between youth violence and media glorification of physical injury and killing.

Question 13

Violent crimes are often more costly in terms of money and lives lost than corporate crimes.

Accepted Answer

Corporate crimes can have extensive financial impacts and affect a larger number of people, sometimes leading to significant economic and social consequences.

Question 14

Sociologists categorize crimes based on how they are committed and how society views the offenses. The text examined all of the following types of crime: violent crime, property crime, public order crime, occupational and corporate crime, organized crime, and political crime.

Accepted Answer

The text examines all of the mentioned types of crime.

Question 15

A person shoplifts an item of clothing from a department store, is apprehended and labeled as a "thief." The person subsequently accepts the label, and continues to shoplift items from other stores on numerous occasions. This example illustrates the tertiary deviance stage of the labeling theory.

Accepted Answer

This example illustrates the secondary deviance stage of the labeling theory, where the individual accepts the label and continues the deviant behavior. Tertiary deviance involves redefining the deviant behavior as normal or acceptable.

Question 16

Sociologist Regina Arnold examined the relationship between women's earlier victimization in their family and their subsequent involvement in the criminal justice system. She attributes many of the women's offenses to living in families in which sexual abuse, incest, and other violence left them few choices except to engage in deviance.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately reflects the findings of Regina Arnold's research.

Question 17

A number of individuals have been convicted in the last few years of stock manipulation in order to make more money for themselves. These individuals were engaging in a public order crime.

Accepted Answer

Stock manipulation is considered a white-collar crime, specifically a type of securities fraud, rather than a public order crime. Public order crimes typically involve actions that disrupt public peace or morality, such as disorderly conduct or public intoxication.

Question 18

Political crimes also include illegal or unethical acts perpetrated against the government by outsiders seeking to make a political statement or to undermine or overthrow the government. Examples include treason, acts of political sabotage, and terrorist attacks on public buildings.

Accepted Answer

Political crimes can be committed not only by government officials or those seeking to gain power within the government, but also by individuals or groups outside of the government seeking to challenge or protest the authority of the government. Examples of such crimes include acts of terrorism, sabotage, and other attempts to damage government property or disrupt government operations. These crimes are often motivated by political or ideological goals, and are typically intended to gain attention or generate support for a particular cause or movement.

Question 19

According to sociologist Edwin Sutherland's rational choice theory of deviance, people learn the necessary techniques and motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes of deviant behavior from people with whom they interact.

Accepted Answer

Edwin Sutherland is known for the differential association theory, not rational choice theory. Differential association theory suggests that deviant behavior is learned through interaction with others.

Question 20

Terrorism is the calculated, unlawful use of physical force or threats of violence against persons or property in order to intimidate or coerce a government, organization, or individual for the purpose of gaining some political, religious, economic, or social objective.

Accepted Answer

This is the definition of terrorism as recognized by the United Nations and most countries.

Quiz 6: Deviance and Crime.