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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is the MOST important criterion for a theory?
Which of the following is the MOST important criterion for a theory?
A theory cannot be considered testable if all concepts within it are not directly measurable.
A theory cannot be considered testable if all concepts within it are not directly measurable.
False (B)
What does 'scope and parsimony' imply that a theory should do?
What does 'scope and parsimony' imply that a theory should do?
Explain crime in detail with simplicity
If a theory cannot be tested against empirical findings, it has no scientific ______.
If a theory cannot be tested against empirical findings, it has no scientific ______.
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Match the following concepts with their descriptions:
Match the following concepts with their descriptions:
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What did Becker's study focus on regarding marijuana use?
What did Becker's study focus on regarding marijuana use?
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The legal context of Becker's time viewed marijuana use as a minor offense.
The legal context of Becker's time viewed marijuana use as a minor offense.
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What was the cultural perception of marijuana use during Becker's time?
What was the cultural perception of marijuana use during Becker's time?
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Becker argued that individuals must overcome ______ in order to maintain their marijuana use as a career.
Becker argued that individuals must overcome ______ in order to maintain their marijuana use as a career.
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Match the following barriers to marijuana use with their corresponding descriptions:
Match the following barriers to marijuana use with their corresponding descriptions:
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According to Howard Becker, what factor primarily determines whether someone is labeled as deviant?
According to Howard Becker, what factor primarily determines whether someone is labeled as deviant?
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According to Becker, deviant behavior is solely defined by the actions of the individual.
According to Becker, deviant behavior is solely defined by the actions of the individual.
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What does Becker suggest is a common factor that influences the labeling process?
What does Becker suggest is a common factor that influences the labeling process?
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Deviance is not an inherent quality of the act but a consequence of the application of __________ and sanctions by society.
Deviance is not an inherent quality of the act but a consequence of the application of __________ and sanctions by society.
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Match the following factors with their influence on labeling as deviant:
Match the following factors with their influence on labeling as deviant:
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What is one of the main influences on societal reaction theories?
What is one of the main influences on societal reaction theories?
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According to symbolic interactionist theory, the self develops entirely independently of social interactions.
According to symbolic interactionist theory, the self develops entirely independently of social interactions.
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What approach emphasizes the socially constructed nature of social phenomena?
What approach emphasizes the socially constructed nature of social phenomena?
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The study of how social worlds are built and rebuilt by people's actions and thoughts is known as __________.
The study of how social worlds are built and rebuilt by people's actions and thoughts is known as __________.
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Match the concepts with their definitions:
Match the concepts with their definitions:
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According to Mead, which of the following is a crucial aspect of the 'self'?
According to Mead, which of the following is a crucial aspect of the 'self'?
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Individuals only respond to events based on their immediate feelings.
Individuals only respond to events based on their immediate feelings.
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What term is used to describe the process of giving meaning to external stimuli?
What term is used to describe the process of giving meaning to external stimuli?
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What is the primary focus of symbolic interactionism?
What is the primary focus of symbolic interactionism?
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According to labeling theory, deviance is inherent to an act itself.
According to labeling theory, deviance is inherent to an act itself.
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What role do symbols play in human interactions according to the content?
What role do symbols play in human interactions according to the content?
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Deviance is considered a consequence of the application of rules and sanctions to an _____ .
Deviance is considered a consequence of the application of rules and sanctions to an _____ .
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Who is notable for questioning positivist criminology?
Who is notable for questioning positivist criminology?
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What does Becker's study of deviancy focus on?
What does Becker's study of deviancy focus on?
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Meanings in social interactions remain static and do not change over time.
Meanings in social interactions remain static and do not change over time.
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According to labeling theory, what is the most important aspect in the construction of a deviant label?
According to labeling theory, what is the most important aspect in the construction of a deviant label?
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Deviance is a static quality that exists independently of societal reactions.
Deviance is a static quality that exists independently of societal reactions.
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What does Becker argue regarding the definition of deviance?
What does Becker argue regarding the definition of deviance?
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According to Becker, deviance is created by society through making the rules and _____ to rule-breaking.
According to Becker, deviance is created by society through making the rules and _____ to rule-breaking.
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Match the following aspects of labeling theory with their descriptions:
Match the following aspects of labeling theory with their descriptions:
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What can the deviant label create according to labeling theory?
What can the deviant label create according to labeling theory?
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Lower-class individuals are less likely to internalize a deviant self-concept according to Becker.
Lower-class individuals are less likely to internalize a deviant self-concept according to Becker.
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What methodology did Becker employ in his study 'Becoming a Marihuana User'?
What methodology did Becker employ in his study 'Becoming a Marihuana User'?
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Study Notes
What is a Theory?
- A theory is a set of interconnected statements or propositions that explain how two or more events or factors are related.
- Theories provide explanations within the context of research, showing relationships between phenomena.
- Theories are proposed explanations for problems or questions, seeking to understand social realities and answer why things are as they are.
Types of Criminological Theory
- Criminological theories offer tentative explanations for crime, including who commits crimes and the formal and informal social control systems (e.g., police, laws, families) that govern behavior.
- Theories are statements about relationships between events, focusing on what is and will be, not what ought to be.
- Theories of law and criminal justice focus on how criminal law is created and enforced, considering social, political, and economic factors that influence legislation.
- Theories of criminal and deviant behavior explain why certain behaviors are considered criminal, and are categorized as macro or micro theories (structural or processual).
Criteria for Evaluating Theory
- A theory needs to be logically consistent (clear and concise).
- Scope refers to the extent of the theory's application, ideally covering a wide range of behaviors.
- Parsimony (simplicity) involves explaining criminal behavior using few, rather than complex, propositions.
- A testable theory can be evaluated against empirical evidence.
- A useful theory helps formulate policies and makes sense of evidence.
Labeling Theory
- Labeling theory emerged in the 1960s, influenced by civil rights movements and social change.
- It critiques traditional criminological theories focusing on the social construction of deviance.
- It asserts that deviance is not inherent in an act, rather it's a consequence of labeling by others, or societal reactions, and interactions.
- Key aspects of Labeling theory include societal reaction to an act and how that reaction constructs a label.
- Labeling theory emphasizes how societal groups construct meanings and responses, and considers how those responses lead to individuals becoming labeled and deviant.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of theory and its role in criminology. It examines various types of criminological theories, their implications on understanding crime, and how they relate to social control systems. Test your knowledge on the explanations provided by criminological theories regarding criminal behavior.
