Question 1

Jewish families as well as African Americans and Hispanics were not permitted to purchase houses in the suburb of Lakewood,California,when it was first built in 1950.However,within a few years,the developers reversed this policy and started selling homes to families regardless of religious faith or ethnicity.What does this tell us about stigma?

Accepted Answer

This tells us that stigmatized identities can change over time, as the developers eventually reversed their policy and allowed for families of all backgrounds to purchase homes in the suburb.

Question 2

Almost any ________ can have a stigmatizing effect,including a physical disability or a battle with addiction or mental illness.

Accepted Answer

A departure from the norm, such as a physical disability or mental illness, may cause stigmatization due to social prejudices and stereotyping against those who deviate from the perceived norm. Social control, secondary deviance, and conformity may also contribute to stigmatization, but they are not as direct or specific as a departure from the norm.

Question 3

There are several ways in which gays and lesbians in the United States have chosen to manage their stigma.When gay rights activists chant the slogan,"We're here,we're queer,get used to it," what strategy are they using?

Accepted Answer

The slogan "We're here, we're queer, get used to it" reflects an in-group orientation strategy, where gays and lesbians embrace their stigmatized identity and demand societal acceptance rather than trying to assimilate or pass as heterosexuals.

Question 4

According to Jack Katz,what do muggers gain from their crimes aside from material objects?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Jack Katz,what do muggers gain...

Question 5

Given Jack Katz's theory of crime,what do you think would be the best subtitle for his book The Seductions of Crime?

Accepted Answer

The subtitle "Attractions of 'Doing' Deviance" best captures Katz's theory that individuals are seduced and drawn to commit crime due to the thrill and excitement it provides, rather than solely as a means of meeting economic or material needs. The other subtitle options do not fully encompass Katz's focus on the motivations and experiences of individual criminals.

Question 6

In Mama Lola: A Vodou Priestess in Brooklyn,Karen McCarthy Brown studied practitioners of the Vodou religion living in the United States.However,she went far beyond the usual role of scientific observer and became a member of the religious group she was studying.She also gave her key informant veto power over certain elements of her work.Why would this be helpful?

Accepted Answer

Allowing her key informant to have some control over aspects of her work helped Brown set aside any preconceived notions she may have had about Vodou and understand the religion on its own terms. This likely enabled her to better connect with her subjects and gain a deeper understanding of their beliefs and practices.

Question 7

David Rosenhan argues that misdiagnosis is particularly a problem for psychologists,as a diagnosis of a mental illness is as influential on the patient as it is on his or her relatives and friends.It should not surprise anyone that the diagnosis acts as a(n)

Accepted Answer

The term "self-fulfilling prophecy" refers to the phenomenon in which a belief or expectation influences a person's behavior in such a way that it ultimately leads to the fulfillment of the belief or expectation. In the context of mental illness diagnosis, a self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when a patient internalizes and believes the diagnosis to be true, which then influences their behavior in a way that confirms the diagnosis, even if it may not have been accurate initially. Therefore, the misdiagnosis of a mental illness can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, making it the best choice for the given question.

Question 8

Hate crimes targeting Arab Americans and those mistakenly identified as Arab increased after Arab identity became stigmatized.What sort of stigma was this?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Hate crimes targeting Arab Americans and those...

Question 9

Construction crews are constantly annoyed at the way people,mostly teenage boys,steal orange cones and flashing pylons that mark construction zones.According to Jack Katz,why does this sort of deviance happen?

Accepted Answer

Jack Katz theorizes that deviant behavior, including theft, is often motivated by the desire for a rush or sense of excitement. This may explain why teenage boys might steal items like orange cones and flashing pylons from construction zones, as it provides a sense of rebellion and excitement.

Question 10

In what aspects of stigma are symbolic interactionists interested?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionists are interested in how people manage their stigmatized identities on an everyday basis. They focus on the symbols and meanings associated with stigmatized identities and how individuals navigate social interactions and relationships in response to these stigmas. Option B is more aligned with a social justice perspective, whereas options C and D are not supported by research on the negative impacts of stigma.

Question 11

Which of the following statements helps describe how Jack Katz's book Seductions of Crime explained deviance in a new way?

Accepted Answer

Jack Katz's book "Seductions of Crime" is notable for its focus on the sensual and experiential aspects of committing crimes, which is reflected in choice C's mention of what committing a particular crime "means, feels, sounds, tastes, or looks like." This approach was innovative because it emphasized the emotional and experiential dimensions of criminal behavior, rather than solely focusing on external factors such as social structure or economic conditions.

Question 12

What does the sociologist Jack Katz think sociologists should study when trying to understand deviance instead of solely examining background factors?

Accepted Answer

According to Jack Katz, sociologists should focus on the deviant's own experience of committing a deviant act rather than solely examining background factors, in order to gain a deeper understanding of deviance.

Question 13

Which of the following actions would be an example of in-group orientation?

Accepted Answer

In-group orientation involves embracing and expressing pride in one's identity within a marginalized or minority group, as seen in the woman's declaration of pride in her black and trans identity.

Question 14

When studying deviance,sociologists often focus on the most obvious and extreme forms of deviant behavior.What are the consequences of this approach?

Accepted Answer

Focusing only on the most obvious and extreme forms of deviant behavior can lead to a neglect of the deviant behavior of those in positions of power, while scrutinizing the deviant behavior of those who lack power. This perpetuates the status quo and reinforces bias against marginalized groups.

Question 15

Why might teenagers shoplift according to Jack Katz's Seductions of Crime?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why might teenagers shoplift according to Jack...

Question 16

According to Jack Katz,there are several reasons why adolescents might shoplift.One reason is the material appeal of the objects that are taken,but more importantly,they

Accepted Answer

According to Jack Katz, adolescents who shoplift often do so because they view it as a way to demonstrate their personal competence or prowess. The act of successfully stealing an item and getting away with it reinforces their sense of independence and skill. While some adolescents may steal items to make money or gain entrance to gangs, these are not the primary reasons identified by Katz. The vendetta against a particular store or small business owner is also not a commonly cited reason for adolescent shoplifting.

Question 17

Most sociological studies of deviance focus on elements of an individual's background that would predispose him or her to act in deviant ways.What is the key problem with such an approach?

Accepted Answer

The key problem with focusing on an individual's background in explaining deviance is that it cannot account for why individuals with similar backgrounds may act differently. This suggests that there are other influences and factors that contribute to deviant behavior beyond an individual's upbringing or social background.

Question 18

A gay man joins a dating website.He tells his friends that he is frustrated when other men on the website describe themselves as "straight-acting,straight-appearing." He believes that these men are treating gay identity as a stigmatized identity by

Accepted Answer

The men describing themselves as "straight-acting, straight-appearing" are indicating that they are not embracing their gay identity and are instead trying to present themselves as straight. This can be seen as "passing," which is a term used to describe a person who is a member of one group but presents themselves as a member of another group to avoid the stigma and discrimination associated with the first group. In this case, the men are treating gay identity as a stigmatized identity by trying to hide it and present themselves as straight.

Question 19

According to Erving Goffman,stigmatized individuals who do not believe that they should have to change or conceal their identities to make "normal" people more comfortable have

Accepted Answer

Goffman refers to this as an "in-group orientation," where stigmatized individuals may form solidarity with others who share their identity and resist pressure to conform to societal norms. This can lead to a sense of pride and self-esteem rather than shame or self-doubt.

Question 20

Brooke is a PhD candidate in the field of nanophysics.She is aware that only 4 percent of physics professionals are women.Brooke has heard peers and even instructors say that this is because women struggle to comprehend complex mathematics.When Brooke scores below her male counterparts on an exam,she may be experiencing

Accepted Answer

Brooke is experiencing the stereotype threat, which is the fear that one's behavior will confirm a negative stereotype about their group. In this case, the stereotype is that women are not as proficient in math and science, leading to fewer women in physics. This fear can lead to decreased performance, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Quiz 6: Deviance