Question 1

The Tuskegee Syphilis study involved 400 poor and mostly illiterate black men in Alabama who were diagnosed with syphilis. The United States Public Health Service medically monitored the men for decades without telling the men their diagnosis and without treating their illness for which treatment was cheap and readily available. The actions of the Public Health Service constitutes:

Accepted Answer

The Tuskegee Syphilis study is considered both a state crime and an example of elite deviance because it was conducted by government officials (making it a state crime) and involved a violation of ethical standards by those in positions of power (constituting elite deviance).

Question 2

The term anomie refers to:

Accepted Answer

Anomie refers to normlessness, a condition where societal norms and values weaken or disappear, resulting in a lack of meaning and purpose in individuals' lives. This often leads to deviant behavior and a sense of disconnection from society.

Question 3

An entity that operates in several countries such as locating their headquarters in one country and a resource extraction center in another where each operation will contribute best to profitability is called:

Accepted Answer

A multinational corporation (MNC) is an entity that operates in multiple countries with operations tailored to maximize profitability. MNCs have headquarters in one country and resource extraction centers or production facilities in other countries. MNCs enjoy economies of scale and scope, access to a larger market, cheaper labor costs, and abundant natural resources, among other benefits.

Question 4

The term "white collar crime" was coined by which sociologist?

Accepted Answer

The term "white collar crime" was coined by sociologist Edwin Sutherland in 1939.

Question 5

Social processes that have the effect of minimizing deviance are called:

Accepted Answer

Social processes that minimize deviance are called social control. Social control refers to the way in which society prevents and discourages behavior that violates social norms. Social control can be formal, such as laws and regulations, or informal, such as peer pressure and socialization. The goal of social control is to maintain order and stability in society by encouraging conformity to social norms and punishing deviant behavior.

Question 6

Governmental sponsorship of activities that constitute harm to the public are referred to as:

Accepted Answer

State crime refers to actions or omissions by state officials that constitute violations of basic human rights, international humanitarian law, or domestic law. These actions or omissions may include genocide, war crimes, torture, or other forms of violence or repression committed by state officials or in their name. State crimes are often committed in the name of national security or other state interests and are rarely prosecuted.

Question 7

A speeding ticket is an example of

Accepted Answer

A speeding ticket is a formal negative sanction because it is a punishment given by a formal authority (i.e. law enforcement) for violating a formal rule or law (i.e. speed limit). It is also a negative sanction because it involves a penalty or punishment for a behavior deemed unacceptable by society.

Question 8

When people withdraw from the goals and means of society and become "dropouts of society" this is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Retreatism is the choice to withdraw from the goals and means of society, giving up on both the cultural goals and the approved means of achieving them. This can include individuals who choose to drop out of school or leave the workforce altogether. Ritualism refers to those who continue to adhere to the approved means of achieving success, but have given up on achieving the cultural goal. Anomie refers to the breakdown of social norms and expectations, leading to a lack of clear goals or guidance. Individualism is a broader concept that emphasizes individual autonomy and self-reliance, rather than withdrawal from society.

Question 9

Differential Association theory argues that

Accepted Answer

Differential Association theory suggests that individuals learn deviant and criminal behavior through their interactions with others who engage in such behavior. The theory emphasizes the role of socialization and the influence of one's peers, family, and community in shaping one's behavior. It suggests that people who are surrounded by individuals who engage in deviant behavior are more likely to engage in such behavior themselves. Therefore, Choice A is the best answer.

Question 10

The difference between white-collar crime and corporate crime rests upon:

Accepted Answer

The difference between white-collar crime and corporate crime is based on whose interests are affected. White-collar crime is typically committed by individuals who are in positions of trust, such as executives or employees, while corporate crime is committed by the corporation itself. White-collar crime typically benefits the individual perpetrator, while corporate crime benefits the corporation as a whole.

Question 11

Suicide among the elderly in society best fits Durkheim's altruistic type of deviance.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's altruistic type of deviance refers to behaviors that are seen as positive and beneficial to society but may harm the individual. Suicide among the elderly is not considered beneficial to society and therefore does not fit into the category of altruistic deviance.

Question 12

Government activities that harm its own nation's citizens are a type of crime.

Accepted Answer

The government has a responsibility to protect and serve its citizens, and any action by the government that harms its own citizens can be considered a crime or an abuse of power. Examples include corruption, human rights violations, and negligence in providing basic needs such as healthcare or education.

Question 13

A great deal of state crime is aimed at preventing or controlling dissent.

Accepted Answer

State crime often involves the use of various forms of political repression, including the suppression of dissenting voices and the restriction of free speech and assembly. This can take the form of censorship, surveillance, harassment, imprisonment, and even violence or threats of violence against political activists, journalists, and intellectuals who challenge the authority of the state.

Question 14

Recent studies have found lower rates of homicide in states with capital punishment.

Accepted Answer

Recent studies have actually found that there is no consistent evidence to support the claim that the death penalty deters homicide. In fact, some studies have even found a slight increase in homicide rates in states with capital punishment.

Question 15

Violent crimes usually involve cost-benefit analysis in advance of someone committing the crime.

Accepted Answer

Most violent crimes are impulsive or emotionally driven, rather than the result of a rational cost-benefit analysis.

Question 16

Anomie is a condition that occurs when a society lacks effective norms in which to restrain people.

Accepted Answer

Anomie refers to a state of normlessness or lack of values and regulations in a society, which can lead to a breakdown of social order and increase in deviant behavior.

Question 17

Punishment for corporate crimes is generally limited to fines.

Accepted Answer

Punishment for corporate crimes, such as white-collar crimes, is often limited to fines or financial penalties rather than imprisonment.

Question 18

Formal sanctions are used most often by the powerful against the relatively powerless in society.

Accepted Answer

Formal sanctions usually come from institutions like the government or legal system, which are typically controlled by the powerful in society. They are often used to control or punish the behavior of those who are less powerful or marginalized.

Question 19

Gossip is an example of a formal sanction.

Accepted Answer

Gossip is not a formal sanction as it is not an official rule or punishment imposed by a governing body or institution. It is rather an informal means of spreading rumors or information.

Question 20

There is clear evidence that capital punishment does not deter murder.

Accepted Answer

There have been numerous studies conducted which have failed to find a conclusive link between capital punishment and a decrease in murder rates. In fact, some states that have abolished the death penalty have seen their murder rates decrease, while some states that retain it continue to have high murder rates. Therefore, it can be concluded that capital punishment does not serve as a deterrent to murder.

Quiz 10: Deviance, Crime and Social Control