Question 1

Merton's retreatism is best characterized by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Retreatism, according to Merton, involves rejecting both societal goals and the means to achieve them. A drug addict often exemplifies this by withdrawing from societal expectations and norms.

Question 2

Cloward and Ohlin extend Merton's theory of deviance in asserting that:

Accepted Answer

Cloward and Ohlin extend Merton's theory of deviance by asserting that for criminal deviance to result, it is necessary to have illegitimate opportunity available.

Question 3

Which of Walter Miller's focal concerns of delinquent subcultures is derived from the lack of control these youths feel over their own lives?

Accepted Answer

Fate refers to the belief that one's life is controlled by external forces, which aligns with the lack of control these youths feel over their own lives.

Question 4

Which of Miller's focal concerns reflects the desire for autonomy, expressed as resentment toward authority figures?

Accepted Answer

Miller's focal concern of "desire for freedom" reflects the wish for autonomy and is expressed as resentment toward authority figures.

Question 5

The general argument of Cloward and Ohlin, Cohen, and Miller is that deviance reflects:

Accepted Answer

Cloward and Ohlin, Cohen, and Miller argue that deviance is influenced by the opportunity structure of society, where access to legitimate means of achieving goals is limited, leading individuals to pursue deviant paths.

Question 6

Which of the following is an appropriate criticism of structural-functional theories of deviance?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is an appropriate...

Question 7

Which theory asserts that deviance and conformity result not only from what people do, but also from how others respond to those actions?

Accepted Answer

The labeling theory suggests that deviance and conformity are influenced by the reactions and labels that society assigns to individuals' actions.

Question 8

You have engaged in a minor law violation that provokes only a slight reaction or no reaction from others. According to Lemert, your actions illustrate:

Accepted Answer

Primary deviance refers to minor violations of norms that do not result in any long-term consequences or alter an individual's self-concept.

Question 9

You and your friends describe another friend as a "boozer"and leave him out of your social circle. He begins to drink even more, seems bitter, and joins new friends who are also heavy drinkers. According to Lemert, this is an illustration of:

Accepted Answer

Secondary deviance occurs when a person begins to take on a deviant identity due to the reactions of others, leading to further deviant behavior.

Question 10

With which statement would a labelling theorist agree?

Accepted Answer

Labelling theorists believe that deviance is a result of society's reaction to certain behaviors. By changing how society labels and responds to deviance, the level of deviance can be altered.

Question 11

What is the term for the interpretation of someone's past, consistent with his or her present deviance?

Accepted Answer

Retrospective labelling refers to the process of interpreting someone's past behavior in a way that is consistent with their current deviant behavior.

Question 12

What is the term for using a deviant label to predict future action?

Accepted Answer

Projective labelling refers to using a deviant label to predict future actions, suggesting that the label will influence the individual's future behavior.

Question 13

If you agreed with Szasz's approach to deviance, you would contend that:

Accepted Answer

Szasz argued that mental illness is often a label used to control and stigmatize people who deviate from societal norms, suggesting that the prevalence of mental illness is exaggerated by the psychiatric profession.

Question 14

What is the "medicalization of deviance"?

Accepted Answer

The "medicalization of deviance" refers to the process by which behaviors that were once seen as moral or legal issues are redefined as medical issues, often leading to treatment rather than punishment.

Question 15

Which of the following illustrate the "medicalization of deviance"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following illustrate the "medicalization...

Question 16

The "medicalization of deviance"has led to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The "medicalization of deviance" refers to the process by which non-normative or deviant behaviors are redefined as medical issues, leading to treatment through medical means rather than through social or legal interventions.

Question 17

A proponent of Sutherland's differential association theory would do which of the following to reduce crime?

Accepted Answer

Sutherland's differential association theory suggests that crime is learned through interactions with others. Increasing associations with those who discourage norm violations would reduce crime by promoting non-deviant behavior.

Question 18

Adopt Hirschi's approach to deviance and control. With which statement would you agree?

Accepted Answer

Hirschi's social control theory suggests that all individuals are tempted to engage in deviance, but strong social bonds and self-control prevent them from doing so.

Question 19

You have been asked to defend Hirschi's approach to deviant behaviour. Which of the following statements would be consistent with your defence?

Accepted Answer

Hirschi's social control theory suggests that individuals with a low stake in conformity, meaning they have little to lose, are more likely to engage in deviant behavior.

Question 20

Which of the following is one of Hirschi's four types of social controls?

Accepted Answer

Hirschi's four types of social controls are attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief.

Quiz 7: Deviance