Question 1

According to Merton's strain theory,what causes deviance?

Accepted Answer

Merton's strain theory suggests that deviance is caused by a gap between culturally approved goals and the legitimate means available to achieve them, which is related to the structure of society.

Question 2

Which of the following types of theories are utilized in the study of deviance?

Accepted Answer

The study of deviance utilizes multiple types of theories, including general sociological theories, criminological theories, interdisciplinary theories, and feminist theories. Each of these theories offers a unique perspective and understanding of deviant behavior, allowing researchers to develop a more comprehensive understanding of this complex topic. Therefore, it is best to choose option E, as it includes all of the above theories as being utilized in the study of deviance.

Question 3

What is the functionalist perspective of society's rules?

Accepted Answer

The functionalist perspective views society as a stable and ordered system, where individuals agree on social norms and values. Therefore, there is a general consensus about what society's rules should be in order to maintain stability and order.

Question 4

Which category of theory is most concerned with why people act in deviant ways?

Accepted Answer

Positivist theories seek to explain why individuals act in certain ways, including deviant behavior, through scientific methods and objective observation.

Question 5

According to functionalist theorists,after people "let off steam" through minor acts of deviance,various processes motivate them to return to their acceptable roles in society.Which process would include sending someone to jail?

Accepted Answer

Coercion involves the use of force or threats to make someone comply with societal norms or rules. Sending someone to jail is an example of coercion, as it involves using the force of the criminal justice system to punish someone for their deviant behavior and deter others from engaging in similar behavior. While socialization, persuasion, and internalization can also play a role in motivating individuals to conform to societal norms, coercion is the only option presented that explicitly involves the use of force or threats. Profit, on the other hand, is not a process that motivates individuals to return to acceptable roles in society after engaging in deviance.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about microanomie is true?

Accepted Answer

The statement that is true about microanomie is that it refers to a state wherein self-transcendence values are exceeded by self-enhancement values. Self-transcendence values are those that prioritize the welfare of others and the environment, while self-enhancement values prioritize personal success and achievement. Microanomie occurs when an individual adopts the latter values over the former, creating a sense of disconnection and disorientation.

Question 7

Modern research using Sykes and Matza's theory on the techniques of neutralization have mostly explored major forms of law breaking such as murder.

Accepted Answer

Modern research using Sykes and Matza's theory on the techniques of neutralization have applied it to various forms of deviant behavior, not just major forms of law breaking such as murder.

Question 8

Despite his best efforts,Chris has been unemployed for more than two years.He has finally decided that there is no point in pursuing the "American Dream" anymore.He stops looking for a job,and sits at home drinking beer all day long.Which mode of adaptation is he engaging in?

Accepted Answer

Chris is disengaging from society's goals (i.e., getting a job) and means (i.e., actively seeking employment) in retreatism. He is not actively rejecting societal goals or means (rebellion), nor is he conforming to societal goals and means (conformity). Chris is also not attempting to redefine societal goals or means (innovation) or rejecting goals but continuing to conform to societal means (ritualism).

Question 9

Positivist theories are fundamentally interested in explaining why people act in particular ways.

Accepted Answer

Positivist theories seek to understand and explain human behavior through objective observation and measurement. Therefore, they are focused on explaining why people act in certain ways.

Question 10

Cherise lives in a neighbourhood where there is an organized group of people involved in selling illegal weapons to rival gangs.Seeing an opportunity to make some money,Cherise joins this group of weapons dealers.According to Cloward and Ohlin's differential opportunity theory,what type of group has Cherise joined?

Accepted Answer

Cherise has joined a criminal gang according to Cloward and Ohlin's differential opportunity theory. This theory suggests that individuals in disadvantaged neighborhoods face limited opportunities for success through legitimate means, and as a result, turn to criminal activity as a means of achieving success and improving their social status. Cherise's involvement in the illegal weapons trade fits within this framework.

Question 11

How does Cloward and Ohlin's differential opportunity theory compare to Merton's strain theory?

Accepted Answer

Cloward and Ohlin's differential opportunity theory builds on Merton's strain theory by agreeing that there are structural differences in access to legitimate opportunities, but it also emphasizes the availability of illegitimate opportunities.

Question 12

Which theories are the most concerned with the maintenance of the social order?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism is the theory that is most concerned with the maintenance of social order. This theory holds that society is a complex system made up of various interdependent parts, each of which has a specific function. If all parts of the society are working together and performing their functions, then social stability and order are maintained. Functionalists are interested in understanding how social institutions, such as schools, churches, and governments, work together to maintain the social order.

Question 13

According to Durkheim's functionalist theory,in what type of society is deviance the most likely to exceed functional levels?

Accepted Answer

According to Durkheim, rapid social change disrupts social norms and can lead to an increase in deviance as individuals search for new ways to adapt to the changing environment. In societies characterized by mechanical solidarity (A), individuals are bound together by a shared sense of similarity and there is less of a need to deviate from established norms. In societies where a small group of people have most of the social power (C), deviance may be suppressed through the use of that power. In a society where social bonds become too tight (D), individuals may feel overly constrained and may deviate in order to relieve that tension. Multiple dimensions of inequality (E) can lead to feelings of injustice and powerlessness, which can also result in deviance, but this is not directly related to Durkheim's theory.

Question 14

Which of the following theories best explains why university students who place a high value on academic work,but have GPAs below 3.0 and score high on measures of depression,are most likely to use "homework drugs"?

Accepted Answer

Agnew's general strain theory argues that people who experience strain or stress are more likely to engage in deviant behavior to cope with the strain. In this case, university students who place a high value on academic work but struggle to achieve the desired GPA may experience strain, leading to depression and the use of "homework drugs" as a coping mechanism.

Question 15

According to the general theory of crime,deviance is the result of learning within small groups.

Accepted Answer

According to the general theory of crime, deviance is the result of low levels of self-control, which is shaped in early childhood through interactions with parents and other authority figures, rather than learning within small groups.

Question 16

Which of the following is a characteristic of positivist theories?

Accepted Answer

Positivist theories emphasize a technical interest in the mastery of the environment, which entails the use of precise and scientific methods to investigate observable phenomena. They seek to understand the world objectively, without being influenced by subjective values or opinions. Emancipatory interest and value-orienting foundation are more characteristic of critical theories, which seek to challenge power structures and promote social change through reflective and dialogic praxis. A foundation in symbolic dialogue is more typical of interpretive theories, which focus on the meanings and interpretations that individuals ascribe to events and experiences. Finally, positivist theories tend to prioritize generalization and replication over the study of unique and unrepeatable events, which would be more relevant to idiographic or qualitative approaches.

Question 17

Which of the following theories includes the claim that traditional gender roles,wherein women perform expressive tasks and men perform instrumental tasks,ensure that the family division of labour is done efficiently?

Accepted Answer

Functionalists argue that traditional gender roles serve a functional purpose in ensuring that the family division of labor is done efficiently. According to this perspective, women's nurturing and caring roles allow men to focus on providing for the family financially, which maximizes the overall efficiency of the family unit.

Question 18

Jones and Quisenberry (2004)found that low levels of self-control are associated with antisocial deviant behaviours (e.g.risky driving)in some people,but with adventure-seeking behaviours (e.g.skydiving)in others.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately reflects the findings of Jones and Quisenberry's (2004) study on self-control and behaviour. Low self-control can lead to different types of behaviours in different individuals.

Question 19

In some communities in Russia today,there is a growing problem of substance abuse,due to

Accepted Answer

Anomic disorder, which refers to a breakdown in social norms and values, can create a sense of unrest and dissatisfaction in individuals. As a result, they may turn to substance abuse as a means of coping with their emotional turmoil. This can be particularly true in situations where there is political or economic instability, which can be seen in some communities in Russia today.

Question 20

Which function of deviance is served by collectively manufacturing an evil enemy image directed at "terrorists"?

Accepted Answer

Manufacturing an evil enemy image directed at "terrorists" can increase social solidarity by creating a sense of unity in opposition to a common enemy. By collectively identifying 'terrorists' as the evil enemy, individuals may feel a greater sense of connection to their community and more invested in defending it against such threats.

Quiz 2: Explaining Deviance: the Act