Functionalist and Strain Theories of Deviance

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Questions and Answers

What does the functionalist perspective propose as the cause of deviance?

Social structure (correct)

Individual personality traits

Cultural norms

Biological predispositions

According to Durkheim, what leads to feelings of normlessness?

Increased social integration

High levels of conformity

Rapid societal change (correct)

Strong cultural traditions

What does Merton's classic strain theory primarily connect to deviance?

Peer influence

Cultural values

Social structure (correct)

Psychological factors

What is meant by 'institutionalized goals' in Merton's theory?

Goals that society promotes as desirable Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely response of individuals who experience a gap between their goals and legitimate means?

Adaptation through conformity Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of small amounts of deviance according to Durkheim?

Can be beneficial Signup and view all the answers

What happens when society changes too quickly, according to Durkheim's theory?

Causes feelings of chaos and disorganization Signup and view all the answers

What does Merton suggest most less fortunate individuals do in relation to their goals?

Conform to societal expectations despite challenges Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of collective conscience in religious rituals?

To transmit the accumulated wisdom of the culture Signup and view all the answers

How does Durkheim view the function of religion in society?

It maintains social solidarity and order Signup and view all the answers

What does collective effervescence enable individuals to do?

Transcend everyday challenges through shared excitement Signup and view all the answers

According to Marx, what is one effect of religion on the proletariat?

It provides temporary relief from life's struggles Signup and view all the answers

What did Durkheim believe would increasingly take over the functions of religion with industrialization?

Educational systems Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following most accurately describes elite control in media?

It promotes social inequalities based on selective viewing Signup and view all the answers

What is a dysfunction of religion mentioned by functionalists?

Contributing to violence and conflict Signup and view all the answers

Which function of religion best explains the collective conscience concept?

Strengthening social bonds and maintaining social order Signup and view all the answers

What does sizing in media refer to?

The overall salience of an event in the news flow Signup and view all the answers

How can the absence of certain social groups in media affect public perception?

It can create overgeneralizations and stereotypes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of using neutral terms like 'civilians' in news stories?

It discourages emotional connection and identification. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'categorization' in framing?

It labels an event using a specific framework. Signup and view all the answers

What role does agency play in news narratives?

It implies accountability and responsibility. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following headlines illustrates the concept of agency?

Murder in the Air Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential consequence of framing a news event as an 'attack' rather than a 'tragedy'?

It influences public opinion about aggressors. Signup and view all the answers

In shaping a media narrative, what effect does the term 'loved ones' have?

Enhances identification and emotional engagement. Signup and view all the answers

What does generalization in media often refer to?

The connection between media stories and a larger political issue. Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests that people imitate behaviors they observe in others?

Social learning theory. Signup and view all the answers

Desensitization theory implies that exposure to violence affects viewers by:

Diminishing their emotional impact of violence. Signup and view all the answers

According to cultivation theory, what effect does repeated exposure to television violence have?

It fosters a view that the world is more dangerous than it is. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of social media does Goffman's dramaturgical theory emphasize?

The management of personal impressions. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of media technologies and identity, what does Zappavigna suggest about social media profiles?

They showcase a curated version of oneself. Signup and view all the answers

What significant point do feminist theorists make about media representations?

They socially construct gender differences. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does social media have on adolescents' identities?

They are influenced by celebrities in both online and offline contexts. Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributes to the nature of one's illness identity according to social perspectives?

Social factors Signup and view all the answers

How do overprotective parents influence youth with Type 1 diabetes?

They make them feel overwhelmed and helpless. Signup and view all the answers

According to conflict perspectives, what do different groups have varying levels of access to?

Health-promoting resources Signup and view all the answers

Engels argued that capitalism leads to unhealthy living conditions due to which primary factor?

Profit motives of bourgeois owners Signup and view all the answers

What is an inherent contradiction identified by Navarro regarding capitalism and health?

Profit motives can undermine health needs. Signup and view all the answers

Which group critiques the healthcare system's legitimacy of different healthcare forms?

Conflict theorists Signup and view all the answers

How do corporate needs affect health according to conflict theorists?

They commoditize health as a market product. Signup and view all the answers

What do personal fitness trackers symbolize in the context of healthcare as a commodity?

Individual responsibility for health management Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of embodied cultural capital?

The ability to speak Standard American English Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a form of cultural capital?

Personal hobbies such as gardening Signup and view all the answers

How does social stratification impact cultural capital?

Dominant group cultural capital is given greater value. Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing feature of private (independent) schools?

They are operated by private organizations and require tuition. Signup and view all the answers

What are the implications of streaming in education?

It influences student expectations and life paths. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following activities would more likely be seen as a form of cultural capital favoring the dominant group?

Participating in ballet classes Signup and view all the answers

Why might children from lower-income families struggle in academic settings?

They lack resources to engage in learning activities. Signup and view all the answers

Which social factors do modern discussions of cultural capital extend to?

Race, ethnicity, and gender memberships Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Functionalist Perspective on Deviance

Functionalist perspectives propose that social structures cause deviance, rather than individual factors.
Deviance emerges from anomie, which is a sense of normlessness that results from rapid social change.
Durkheim argued that small amounts of deviance can be beneficial by reminding people of societal rules and the consequences of violating them.
Only excessive deviance is harmful.

Merton's Strain Theory

Robert Merton's strain theory connects deviance to social structures.
He suggested that individuals are socialized to pursue wealth and success (institutionalized goals).
However, some may lack access to legitimate means (e.g., good education, stable employment) to achieve these goals.
This gap creates strain, leading to different adaptations to deviance.

Adaptations to Strain

Conformity: Accepting the goals and the legitimate means.
Innovation: Accepting the goals but rejecting the legitimate means (e.g., fraud, criminal activities).
Ritualism: Rejecting the goals but accepting the legitimate means (e.g., working a dead-end job).
Retreatism: Rejecting both the goals and the legitimate means (e.g., substance abuse, homelessness).
Rebellion: Rejecting both the goals and means and substituting new ones.

Interactionist Perspective on Deviance

Interactionist perspectives focus on how interactions with others shape our understanding of deviance.
Labelling theory, developed by Edwin Lemert, suggests that being labelled as a deviant can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, whereby individuals internalize the label and act accordingly.
Primary deviance refers to minor acts that are not often noticed.
Secondary deviance refers to chronic, repeated acts of deviance.

Conflict Perspective on Deviance

The conflict perspective posits that those in power define and control deviance to maintain their dominance.
Power structures influence the definition of what is considered deviant and the application of social control measures.
Different groups are often targeted for deviancy labels based on their social status.

Feminist Perspective

Feminist perspectives emphasize how gender roles and societal expectations affect definitions of deviance.
Gendered experiences of deviance differ between men and women.
Social norms often disadvantage women.

Postmodern Perspective

Postmodern perspectives acknowledge the plurality of perspectives on deviance.
Deviancy is perceived and constructed differently in varying sociocultural contexts.

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Description

Explore the Functionalist Perspective on Deviance and Merton's Strain Theory in this quiz. Understand how social structures influence deviant behavior and the adaptations individuals make in response to social strain. Test your knowledge on concepts including anomie, conformity, and innovation.