Deviant Behavior Exam 1

The statement "everything that is considered deviant is a crime" is false. Deviance refers to behavior that goes against societal norms, while a crime refers to a specific act that is prohibited by law. Not all deviant behaviors are considered crimes, as there can be actions that are socially frowned upon but not illegal. For example, wearing unconventional clothing or having unconventional beliefs may be considered deviant, but they are not crimes. Therefore, the given statement is incorrect.

Quinney's Social Reality of Crime has 6 propositions.

According to the control theory, delinquents are less bonded to their parents. This theory suggests that individuals who have weak bonds with their parents are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior. These weak bonds can be due to factors such as lack of parental supervision, inconsistent discipline, or poor parent-child communication. Delinquents may feel disconnected from their parents and therefore seek out other sources of support or validation, which can lead to involvement in delinquent activities.

The statement suggests that when the primary focus is on extreme groups, it tends to downplay the presence of serious violence in society and also perpetuates stereotypes and stigmatization of certain behaviors and groups. This implies that by solely focusing on extreme groups, we may overlook or underestimate the broader issues of violence and discriminate against certain individuals or communities.

The terms "crime" and "deviance" cannot be used interchangeably. While both concepts involve behavior that goes against societal norms, they have distinct meanings. Crime refers to actions that are illegal and punishable by law, whereas deviance encompasses any behavior that deviates from social norms, whether or not it is illegal. Therefore, it is incorrect to use these terms interchangeably.

Official statistics can suffer from a lack of accuracy, which means that the data may not truly reflect the reality of the situation being measured. Additionally, there can be issues with under reporting, where certain data or information is not fully captured or reported, leading to an incomplete picture. On the other hand, over reporting can also occur, where data may be exaggerated or inflated, leading to misleading or incorrect conclusions. These problems with accuracy, under reporting, and over reporting can undermine the reliability and usefulness of official statistics.

According to the strain theory, ritualistic behavior occurs when individuals have no goals but still have the means to achieve them. This means that they may engage in repetitive, monotonous actions without any clear purpose or ambition. Therefore, the statement that "according to the strain theory, ritualistic is when you have no goals, but you have the means" is true.

Bonds typically involve elements such as involvement, commitment, and beliefs, as they are built on trust, shared values, and emotional connections. Assumptions, on the other hand, are not necessarily a core element of bonds. While assumptions can exist within a bond, they are not an inherent part of it. Assumptions are more related to individual perspectives and expectations, which may influence the bond but are not essential to its existence.

The strain theory was developed by Merton. This theory suggests that individuals may engage in deviant behavior when they are unable to achieve socially accepted goals through legitimate means. Merton argued that the strain between societal goals and the means to achieve them can lead to various forms of deviance, such as criminal behavior.

Surveys have advantages such as allowing for generalizability, meaning that the results can be applied to a larger population. They also tend to be more objective as they rely on standardized questions and responses. Additionally, surveys can be customized to fit the specific needs of the research or study. Therefore, the correct answer is "all of the above" as all the given options are advantages of using surveys.

Exposure to favorable definitions of crime does not necessarily decrease the likelihood of committing a crime. The perception of crime and its definition varies among individuals and societies. Factors such as personal values, social environment, and upbringing play a significant role in determining criminal behavior. While positive definitions of crime may influence some individuals to refrain from criminal activities, it cannot be generalized that everyone exposed to such definitions will automatically be deterred from committing crimes. Therefore, the statement is false.

According to the strain theory, innovation refers to the creation of new goals or means to achieve them when individuals face societal strains or lack of opportunities. It is not when individuals have no goals but have the means. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

Strain theory is based on the concept of goals and means. According to this theory, individuals experience strain or frustration when they are unable to achieve their desired goals through legitimate means. This strain can lead to deviant behavior as individuals may resort to illegitimate means to attain their goals. Therefore, the theory emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between societal goals and the means available to individuals in order to explain deviant behavior.

Differential Association has 9 principles.

Differential Association is based on the concept of learning. It suggests that individuals learn deviant behavior through their interactions with others, particularly in intimate and close-knit groups. According to this theory, individuals acquire criminal or deviant behavior patterns through a process of social learning, where they are exposed to definitions favorable to law violation. This learning can occur through various forms, such as direct communication, observation, and imitation. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is "learning".

The correct answer is 1948. This means that deviance first appeared in the American Sociological Journal in the year 1948.

This statement suggests that the women's movement caused more women to engage in deviant acts because their mothers were not taking care of them. However, this explanation is not supported by any evidence or logical reasoning. The women's movement aimed to achieve gender equality and empower women, not to encourage deviant behavior. Additionally, the assumption that working mothers are neglectful or unable to care for their children is a stereotype and not universally true. Therefore, the statement is false.

The advantages of official statistics include low cost, high generalizability, and accessibility. Low cost implies that these statistics can be obtained without significant financial burden. High generalizability means that the findings from official statistics can be applied to larger populations or groups. Accessibility refers to the ease of accessing and utilizing official statistics for various purposes. Therefore, the correct answer is "all of the above," as all three advantages are applicable to official statistics.

The ABC's of deviance refer to attitudes, behaviors, and conditions that are considered deviant in society. Circumstances, on the other hand, are external factors or situations that may influence or contribute to deviant behavior, but they are not considered a direct component of deviance itself. Therefore, circumstances are the correct answer as they are not part of the ABC's of deviance.

Secondary deviance refers to the behavior that occurs as a result of a person being labeled as deviant by society. Once someone is labeled as deviant, it can cause them to internalize this label and engage in further deviant behavior. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as the person feeling stigmatized or rejected by society, or as a way to rebel against societal norms and expectations. Secondary deviance can lead to a cycle of continued deviant behavior, further reinforcing the person's deviant identity.

According to the control theory, individuals actively choose their friends based on their own preferences and needs, rather than being influenced by their friends. This means that you are the one who seeks out friends who align with your interests, values, and goals. Therefore, the statement "your friends don't influence you, you seek out your friends" is true.

The statement suggests that by the age of 9, a person's self-control level becomes fixed or solidified. This means that their ability to regulate their emotions, impulses, and behavior is fully developed and unlikely to change significantly. This aligns with research in developmental psychology, which indicates that self-control tends to improve throughout childhood and adolescence, with notable advancements occurring by the age of 9. Therefore, the correct answer is true.

According to the relativists, deviance is defined as whatever a social audience reacts against. This means that deviance is not an inherent characteristic of an action or behavior, but rather it is determined by the reaction and judgment of the society or social group. In other words, an act or behavior is considered deviant if it goes against the norms, values, or expectations of the social audience. This perspective emphasizes the subjective nature of deviance and highlights the importance of social context in defining what is considered deviant.

Quinney's theory of the "Social Reality of Crime" proposes that definitions of deviance and crime are constructed by those in power in order to safeguard their own interests. This perspective suggests that the powerful individuals and groups in society shape and manipulate the understanding of what constitutes deviant behavior in order to maintain their control and dominance. By defining certain actions as deviant or criminal, those in power can effectively control and regulate the behavior of others, thereby protecting their own status and interests. This theory highlights the social construction of crime and deviance, emphasizing the role of power dynamics in shaping societal perceptions and responses to these behaviors.

The key assumption of the labeling theory is that deviance depends on subjective definitions. This means that whether an act is considered deviant or not is determined by the subjective judgments and perceptions of individuals or groups in society. The labeling theory suggests that deviance is not inherent in an act itself, but rather it is the result of societal reactions and labels placed on individuals who engage in certain behaviors. These labels can vary across different cultures, societies, and even among different individuals within the same society, highlighting the subjective nature of deviance.

Being average height would not be considered deviant according to statistical definitions of deviance. Deviance is typically defined as behavior or characteristics that deviate significantly from the norm or average. In this case, being average height means falling within the range of what is considered normal or typical, and therefore does not deviate from the statistical norm.

The statement "we seek pleasure and avoid pain" is most related to control theory. Control theory suggests that individuals are motivated to behave in ways that maximize pleasure and minimize pain. It emphasizes the role of internal and external controls in regulating behavior. This statement aligns with the idea that individuals are driven to seek pleasure and avoid pain, which is a fundamental aspect of control theory.

According to social control theory, deviance occurs when social bonds are low or weakened. This means that individuals who have weak or limited connections to society, such as weak family ties or lack of involvement in community activities, are more likely to engage in deviant behavior. The theory suggests that strong social bonds act as a form of social control, preventing individuals from engaging in deviant acts. When these bonds are weakened or absent, individuals may feel less constrained by societal norms and more inclined to engage in deviant behavior.

Functionalism is the most closely related perspective to absolutist. Functionalism is a sociological perspective that emphasizes the interdependence and interconnectedness of different parts of society. It views society as a system with various institutions and structures that work together to maintain stability and order. Similarly, absolutist thinking is characterized by rigid adherence to a set of fixed principles or beliefs, without considering the context or circumstances. Both functionalism and absolutism focus on the importance of maintaining social order and stability.

The disadvantages of survey data are that it can be costly and time-consuming to collect, as well as susceptible to social desirability bias. Survey research often requires significant resources to design, distribute, and analyze, making it a costly data collection method. Additionally, respondents may provide answers that they believe are socially desirable rather than their true opinions or behaviors, leading to biased results. Therefore, the correct answer is "a and b" since both options accurately describe the disadvantages of survey data.

Social constructionism is a theoretical perspective that views reality as socially constructed. It suggests that our understanding of the world is shaped by social and cultural influences, rather than being an objective and fixed reality. According to social constructionism, knowledge and meaning are created through social interactions and shared understandings. This perspective challenges the notion of an objective reality and emphasizes the importance of examining the social and cultural context in which knowledge is produced and understood.

The given correct answer suggests that deviance is not limited to a specific time period, geographical location, or culture. It implies that deviant behavior exists across different societies and throughout history. This perspective views deviance as a universal phenomenon that is not confined to any particular group or society.

The correct answer is self control theory. Self control theory is related to the saying "acts of force or fraud undertaken in the pursuit of self-interest." This theory suggests that individuals with low self-control are more likely to engage in criminal behavior, including acts of force or fraud, in order to satisfy their immediate self-interests.

The study of deviance peaked in the 1970s. This period saw a significant increase in research and interest in understanding and explaining deviant behavior. The 1970s marked a shift in focus from individualistic explanations of deviance to more structural and societal factors influencing deviant behavior. This was also a time when new theories and perspectives, such as labeling theory and conflict theory, gained prominence in the field of deviance studies. The 1970s can be considered a turning point in the study of deviance, making it the correct answer.

SPP treats power as the primary concept. This means that SPP focuses on understanding and analyzing power dynamics, influences, and distributions in various contexts. It examines how power is exercised, acquired, and maintained, and how it impacts individuals, groups, and societies. By prioritizing power, SPP aims to uncover and address inequalities, injustices, and abuses of power, ultimately working towards creating more equitable and just systems.

The correct answer is "pinto" because it is a reference to the term "pinto madness," which was a social constructionist perspective on the safety of the Ford Pinto car model in the 1970s. This perspective highlighted the social and cultural factors that influenced the perception and construction of the dangers associated with the car, rather than solely focusing on objective facts or evidence. Social constructionism emphasizes the role of societal beliefs, values, and interpretations in shaping our understanding of reality.

In the early conception of deviance, the idea of deviance being influenced by religious factors was not present. The other three options - demonic, classical, and pathological - were all early conceptualizations of deviance. The demonic perspective viewed deviance as being caused by evil spirits or supernatural forces. The classical perspective saw deviance as a rational choice made by individuals based on the potential benefits and consequences. The pathological perspective considered deviance as a result of mental illness or psychological abnormalities. However, the religious perspective was not considered as an early conception of deviance.

The term "relativist" suggests a perspective that emphasizes the subjective nature of reality and the importance of understanding different interpretations and meanings. Symbolic interactionism is a sociological perspective that focuses on how individuals interact and create meaning through symbols and shared understandings. This perspective aligns with the idea of relativism as it recognizes the significance of individual interpretations and the social construction of reality. Therefore, the correct answer is symbolic interactionist.

The question is asking which of the given options is NOT correct in terms of influencing deviant outcomes. Frequency, duration, and priority are all factors that can influence deviant outcomes. However, history refers to past events or experiences and may not directly influence deviant outcomes. Therefore, history is the correct answer as it does not have a significant impact on deviant outcomes.

One association to labeling theory is the critical perspective, which emphasizes the negative consequences of labeling individuals as deviant or criminal. Another association is authority, as labeling theory suggests that the power and authority of those who label individuals play a significant role in the labeling process and its effects. This perspective highlights how the authority figures, such as police officers or judges, have the power to attach labels to individuals, which can have long-lasting impacts on their lives and social interactions.

The Social Power Perspective is closely related to the Conflict theory. This theory focuses on the idea that society is made up of different groups with competing interests and that social change occurs through conflict and struggle between these groups. The Social Power Perspective also emphasizes the unequal distribution of power and resources in society, which can lead to social inequality and oppression. Therefore, the Conflict theory aligns with the Social Power Perspective as both emphasize the role of conflict and power dynamics in shaping social structures and relationships.

The given question asks about the person who is related to SPP. Out of the four options provided, the only person mentioned is Quinney. Therefore, Quinney is the correct answer as the question does not provide any other information to suggest a different relationship.

Defining crime reproduces powerful inequalities that relate to social, economic, and political factors. However, it does not directly relate to cultural factors. Cultural factors may influence the perception and understanding of crime, but they do not play a direct role in reproducing powerful inequalities.

The feminist theory of deviance examines various aspects related to gender and deviant behavior. It explores the labeling and perception of female behavior, the role of victimization in deviance, and the influence of social movements. However, it does not specifically focus on the interaction between men and women as a central aspect of deviance. This answer suggests that the feminist theory of deviance encompasses all the mentioned aspects except the interaction between men and women.

Social constructionism is a sociological theory that suggests that reality is not an objective truth but is created and shaped by individuals and societies through social interactions and interpretations. It emphasizes the role of language, symbols, and social institutions in constructing our understanding of the world. The examples listed in the question, such as organizational deviance, the war on drugs, and the medicalization of deviance, all demonstrate how social constructs influence our perception and treatment of certain behaviors or phenomena. However, the "social construction of reality" is not an example of social constructionism itself but rather a concept within the theory that explains how individuals collectively create and maintain their understanding of the world.

The term "social reality of a crime" is related to the phrase "ruling class disguises the self-serving basis of the law they create" because it suggests that the concept of crime is not objective, but rather a social construct influenced by those in power. It implies that the ruling class manipulates the law to protect their own interests and maintain their dominance, hiding the true motivations behind their legislation. This perspective aligns with the idea that crime is not solely determined by the actions themselves, but also by societal norms and power dynamics.

One of the associations to the labeling theory is qualitative research methods. This is because qualitative research methods focus on understanding the subjective experiences and perspectives of individuals, which aligns with the labeling theory's emphasis on how societal labels and judgments can influence an individual's self-perception and behavior. Qualitative research methods involve techniques such as interviews, observations, and analysis of textual data, which can provide rich and in-depth insights into the labeling process and its effects on individuals.

Inductive is the correct answer because labeling theorists use inductive reasoning to develop their theories. Inductive reasoning involves making generalizations based on specific observations or patterns. In the context of labeling theory, researchers observe specific instances of labeling and then generalize their findings to develop broader theories about the effects of labeling on individuals and society. This approach allows labeling theorists to build their theories from the ground up, starting with specific observations and gradually forming broader conclusions.

Qualitative research involves gathering non-numerical data to understand human behavior and experiences. The study of child abuse and the sex study are specific topics that could be examined using qualitative research methods. However, the answer "alder's study on drugs" is the best choice as it specifies a particular study that falls under the category of qualitative research.

Costello's critique of Becker can be described as not scientific. This suggests that Costello's criticism of Becker's work was not based on empirical evidence, logical reasoning, or rigorous research methods. Instead, it implies that Costello's critique may have been subjective, biased, or lacking in scientific validity.