Question 1

Thinking about Canada Map 9-1 about homicide rates in Canada,first describe the patterns shown on this map and then,using the information in the chapter on deviance,explain why we see the patterns we do.

Accepted Answer

The map 9-1 about homicide rates in Canada shows that the highest rates of homicide are concentrated in the western provinces of Alberta and Manitoba, as well as in the northern territories of Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. The eastern provinces, such as Ontario and Quebec, have lower rates of homicide in comparison.

The patterns shown on this map can be explained using the information in the chapter on deviance. Deviance refers to behavior that violates social norms and is often associated with factors such as poverty, inequality, and social disorganization. In the case of Canada, the higher rates of homicide in the western provinces and northern territories can be attributed to a combination of these factors.

For example, the western provinces and northern territories have higher rates of poverty and inequality compared to the eastern provinces. This can lead to higher levels of social disorganization, which in turn can contribute to higher rates of deviant behavior, such as homicide. Additionally, the northern territories have unique social and cultural factors, such as a higher prevalence of substance abuse and historical trauma, which can also contribute to higher rates of homicide.

Furthermore, the availability of resources and access to social services can also play a role in the patterns of homicide rates. The northern territories, for example, have limited access to mental health services and law enforcement, which can contribute to higher rates of violence and homicide.

In conclusion, the patterns shown on the map 9-1 about homicide rates in Canada can be explained by a combination of factors related to deviance, including poverty, inequality, social disorganization, and access to resources and services. These factors contribute to the variation in homicide rates across different regions of Canada.

Question 2

How do the media contribute to the public perception that any city is a dangerous place? Drawing on your knowledge of the Controversy and Debate Box titled "Homicide in Toronto by Method and Region: Myth and Reality",discuss the city in which are you currently attending school in terms of how safe the city is and the role of the media in your perception.

Accepted Answer

The media contributes to the public perception that any city is a dangerous place by sensationalizing crime and violence. They often focus on negative events and incidents, creating a distorted view of the overall safety of a city. This can lead to fear and anxiety among the public, even if the actual crime rates are relatively low.

Drawing on the Controversy and Debate Box titled "Homicide in Toronto by Method and Region: Myth and Reality", it is evident that the media can perpetuate myths about the safety of a city. For example, the data presented in the box shows that the majority of homicides in Toronto are not random acts of violence, but rather targeted incidents within specific communities. However, the media's portrayal of these events can contribute to the perception that the entire city is unsafe, when in reality, the risk of being a victim of homicide is relatively low for the general population.

As for the city in which I am currently attending school, I believe it is a safe place. However, the media does play a role in shaping my perception of its safety. For example, when there is a high-profile crime or incident, the media coverage can create a sense of unease, even if the incident is isolated and not indicative of the overall safety of the city. It's important to critically evaluate the information presented by the media and consider the broader context of crime and safety in the city. Overall, I feel that the media can contribute to an exaggerated perception of danger in any city, and it's important to seek out diverse sources of information to form a more balanced view.

Question 3

Many researchers agree that,in Canada,most arrests for street crime involve people of lower class position.Why,according to Robert Merton,Albert Cohen,Walter Miller,and Elijah Anderson,would this be the case? How would a broader definition of crime (to include more white-collar and corporate offenses)change the profile of the typical criminal?

Accepted Answer

According to Robert Merton, Albert Cohen, Walter Miller, and Elijah Anderson, the higher involvement of people from lower class positions in street crime can be attributed to the strain and frustration experienced by individuals in these social positions. Merton's strain theory suggests that individuals from lower class positions may engage in criminal behavior as a means of achieving the societal goals of wealth and success when they lack the legitimate means to attain them. Cohen's theory of delinquent subcultures also highlights how individuals from lower class backgrounds may form subcultures that reject mainstream values and turn to criminal behavior as a way to gain status and respect within their own social groups. Miller's theory of focal concerns further emphasizes how individuals from lower class backgrounds may be socialized into adopting values and behaviors that are conducive to criminal activity. Anderson's code of the street theory also suggests that individuals in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods may turn to crime as a way to navigate the challenges and dangers of their environment.

If a broader definition of crime were to include more white-collar and corporate offenses, the profile of the typical criminal would likely shift to include individuals from higher class positions. This is because white-collar and corporate offenses are often associated with individuals in positions of power and privilege who have the means and opportunity to engage in such crimes. Including these offenses in the definition of crime would challenge the stereotype of the typical criminal as being from a lower class background and highlight the prevalence of criminal behavior across all social strata. It would also draw attention to the systemic inequalities and power dynamics that contribute to different forms of criminal behavior.

Question 4

Explain the value and also the limitations of biological and psychological explanations of crime.Expand the essay by explaining the strengths of a sociological approach to understanding crime.

Accepted Answer

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Question 5

Describe the labeling theory of deviance.What basic insight about deviance is offered by this approach? How does labeling figure into the difference between primary deviance and secondary deviance? What is the importance of stigma in labeling analysis?

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

Every society punishes offenders.Write an essay in which you explain four justifications for punishment.Point out how each has come to the fore at different times in history,and explain this pattern as best you can.What evidence is there that punishment actually accomplishes what we say it does?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

Compare and contrast the structural-functionalist,social-conflict theorist,and symbolic interactionist analyses of deviance.Which is best,in your opinion? Why?

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

What can we say about the "typical street criminal" in terms of age,gender,social class,and race and ethnicity? In each case,what can you say to explain the pattern? Finally,point to several reasons that we must treat criminal statistics with caution.

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Question 9

Emile Durkheim made the surprising statement that crime is actually useful and perhaps even necessary for all social organization.Write an essay in which you explain Durkheim's approach and point to a number of specific ways in which crime (or,more broadly,deviance)is functional for society as a whole.

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Question 10

What is meant by "community-based corrections?" What are the advantages of this approach compared to sending convicted offenders to prison? What are some of the limitations of this approach? On balance,do you favor or oppose expanding community-based corrections? Why?

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 9: E: Deviance