Sociology Chapter 8: Deviance and Social Control

Questions and Answers

Which of the following statements about deviance are true? (Select all that apply)

The social context is important in determining deviant behavior. (correct)

Different communities may have different responses to the same behavior. (correct)

Deviance is always negative.

Deviance is universal across all societies.

What is the perspective that argues that deviance is the result of how others interpret a behavior?

labeling theory

What is a label that overshadows all other components of a person's identity?

a master status

What did Emile Durkheim state about deviant behavior?

It is a feature of all human societies. Signup and view all the answers

Deviant behavior has which of the following impacts on society? (Select all that apply)

It shows us the consequences of stepping beyond the boundaries of 'normal'. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would be considered deviant behaviors in the United States of the early 21st century? (Select all that apply)

Taking a midday nap at work Signup and view all the answers

What function of deviance is demonstrated by the mourning and fear after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001?

creating social solidarity Signup and view all the answers

Labeling theory argues that deviance is the result of how others interpret a behavior.

True Signup and view all the answers

What did sociologist Emile Durkheim believe about healthy societies?

They need deviance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the shame attached to behavior or status that is considered socially unacceptable?

stigma Signup and view all the answers

Deviance is a product of the social relationship between those who affirm the boundaries of 'normal' and those who cross such boundaries.

True Signup and view all the answers

How can deviance be functional and positive according to Durkheim? (Select all that apply)

Deviance helps create social solidarity. Signup and view all the answers

Why do sociologists avoid defining deviance as a consequence of individual immorality?

It does not help uncover the actual nature of deviance. Signup and view all the answers

What is a formal system for punishing students who cheat an example of?

defining group boundaries Signup and view all the answers

Which statements about the medicalization of deviance are true? (Select all that apply)

Some deviant behaviors have been reclassified as medical problems. Signup and view all the answers

Kai Erikson's study of deviance within the seventeenth-century Massachusetts Bay Colony illustrates which function of deviance?

creating social solidarity Signup and view all the answers

What does the rational choice approach state about deviant behavior?

It occurs when deviance has significant rewards and limited costs. Signup and view all the answers

Which innovations were once considered deviant? (Select all that apply)

Democracy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are considered sociological explanations of deviance that emphasize social dynamics? (Select all that apply)

Explaining deviance as a rational choice Signup and view all the answers

A ______ is a group in which membership is based on a shared commitment to specific nonconformist beliefs or behaviors.

deviant subculture Signup and view all the answers

Individuals who see deviance as a consequence of ______ essentially view deviant behavior as evil.

immorality Signup and view all the answers

Commission of deviant acts without the social support of other participants is known as ______ deviance.

loner Signup and view all the answers

The designation of deviant behavior as an illness that health professionals can treat is referred to as the ______ of deviance.

medicalization Signup and view all the answers

Which sociologist suggested that deviance results from the conflict between the dominant norms and goals of American society and the legitimate means of achieving these goals?

Merton Signup and view all the answers

What does the example of a young man intending to rob a fast food restaurant but changing his mind after seeing police illustrate?

rational choice Signup and view all the answers

Which statements about body weight in the United States are true? (Select all that apply)

There is a social stigma attached to being overweight. Signup and view all the answers

Which statements about deviant subcultures are true? (Select all that apply)

They can provide valuable social support to people who feel alienated. Signup and view all the answers

Today's favorable attitude toward cosmetic surgery, and the declining stigma associated with it, is an example of what?

normalization Signup and view all the answers

People who intentionally cut, burn, or otherwise mutilate their bodies demonstrate which kind of deviance?

Loner deviance Signup and view all the answers

What landmark piece of legislation was instrumental in preventing discrimination against people who are disabled?

Americans with Disabilities Act Signup and view all the answers

______ emphasizes that pressure on those who lack the means to achieve culturally defined goals leads them to pursue deviant routes to success.

Strain theory Signup and view all the answers

Which statements demonstrate why power is significant? (Select all that apply)

Power is connected to basic assumptions about what's normal and what's deviant. Signup and view all the answers

According to a national survey, women defined as obese with a BMI greater than 30 have ______ than women with a BMI less than 30.

lower incomes Signup and view all the answers

We may not always be conscious of the battle between deviance and social control because we tend to ______ social norms and expectations.

internalize Signup and view all the answers

What does continually being observed by authorities who police the boundaries of what's normal refer to?

surveillance Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which previously deviant behaviors become accepted as conventional?

normalization Signup and view all the answers

What are social institutions that enforce norms and rules, attempt to prevent rule violations, and identify and punish rule violators called?

agents of social control Signup and view all the answers

Advocates of Deaf Culture do not consider deaf people to be disabled; instead, they define the deaf community as a ______ minority.

linguistic Signup and view all the answers

Which statements about surveillance in the twenty-first century are true? (Select all that apply)

Our daily routines are subject to surveillance. Signup and view all the answers

What is most likely to happen when organizations with political or economic power violate norms?

Their actions are not defined as deviant. Signup and view all the answers

Which statements are true of third-party cookies? (Select all that apply)

They track user behavior across different sites. Signup and view all the answers

The incentives and punishments that promote conformity in social life are known as what?

social control Signup and view all the answers

What does crime refer to?

deviant behavior that violates a law Signup and view all the answers

What did Durkheim believe is the only force capable of controlling human passions?

society Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are examples of property crime? (Select all that apply)

Burglary Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a public order crime?

Prostitution Signup and view all the answers

Possibilities for surveillance in the twenty-first century have expanded dramatically.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of making an illegal action legal referred to as?

decriminalization Signup and view all the answers

Tracking is done by which of the following? (Select all that apply)

The government Signup and view all the answers

Hate crimes are motivated by bias against a victim's which of the following? (Select all that apply)

Ethnicity Signup and view all the answers

What is the design of the criminal justice system intended to do? (Select all that apply)

Punish those who commit crimes Signup and view all the answers

Which explanations have sociologists offered for the declining crime rates in the United States in the 1990s? (Select all that apply)

A decrease in the number of crack cocaine users Signup and view all the answers

Which are examples of violent crime? (Select all that apply)

Rape Signup and view all the answers

What are the most common crimes referred to as?

public order crimes Signup and view all the answers

What rationale for societal punishment holds that the more severe the crime, the harsher the penalty should be?

retribution Signup and view all the answers

What criminal action has recently become decriminalized in states such as Colorado, California, and Oregon?

marijuana use Signup and view all the answers

In the criminal justice system, what is a return to criminal behavior termed?

recidivism Signup and view all the answers

What type of crime is attacking individuals based on their sexual orientation?

hate Signup and view all the answers

Which arguments do critics of the death penalty use? (Select all that apply)

There are significant disparities in the application of the death penalty. Signup and view all the answers

What are statistics that measure the incidence of crime in relation to population size called?

crime rates Signup and view all the answers

What does research indicate about whites favoring the death penalty compared to nonwhites?

white racism Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which nonconformist activities or styles turn into commercial products referred to as?

commercialization of deviance Signup and view all the answers

Those who believe in deterrence think that potential criminals will be less likely to pursue criminal activity when they see what?

the consequences of committing crime Signup and view all the answers

In the United States, the rate of recidivism is very low.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which arguments are used to advocate for the death penalty? (Select all that apply)

Capital punishment deters crime. Signup and view all the answers

Which group is far more likely than African Americans to favor the death penalty?

Whites Signup and view all the answers

What can the slogan 'What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas' be referred to as?

playful deviance Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Deviance varies by community; responses depend on social context.
Labeling theory suggests deviance arises from societal interpretations of behavior.
A master status is a label that dominates other aspects of identity.
Emile Durkheim identified deviance as a universal feature of human societies.
Deviance highlights the consequences of exceeding societal norms and reinforces the boundaries of "normal."

Impact of Deviance on Society

Deviant behavior informs societal norms and group boundaries.
Events like 9/11 can enhance social solidarity through shared mourning and fear.
Labeling theory emphasizes the significance of societal interpretations on behavior.
Durkheim believed deviance is functional for society and essential for the definition of group identity.

Sociological Perspectives and Theories

Deviance can arise from improper socialization, rational choice, or economic opportunity mismatch.
Deviant subcultures form around shared nonconformist beliefs, offering social support for alienated individuals.
Strain theory explains how pressure due to lack of means to achieve societal goals leads to deviant behavior.

Norms and Deviance

Medicalization of deviance classifies immoral behaviors as medical issues, affecting stigma.
The term stigma refers to the shame linked to socially unacceptable behaviors or identities.
Surveillance indicates a constant observation that enforces social norms and expectations.
Social control consists of incentives and punishments imposed to encourage conformity.

Crime and Justice System

Crime is defined as deviant behavior that breaches legal statutes.
Punishments in the justice system serve to deter crime and maintain social control.
Public order crimes, like prostitution, are common but categorized separately from property crimes.
Recidivism refers to returning to criminal behavior after serving time.

Public Perception and Legislation

Opinions on the death penalty indicate disparities based on race and ethical viewpoints, with significant concerns regarding wrongful convictions.
Social stigma against body weight impacts perceptions of obesity, influencing individuals’ experiences with healthcare.
Decriminalization refers to changing the legal status of previously criminal acts, exemplified by the legalization of marijuana in certain states.

Changing Attitudes Toward Deviance

Over time, societal perceptions can shift, as seen in the normalization of practices like cosmetic surgery.
Commercialization of deviance transforms nonconformist activities into mainstream products.
The concept of deterrence holds that awareness of consequences can prevent criminal behavior.

Key Terms

Deviant Behavior: Actions violating social norms or legal standards.
Master Status: A primary characteristic defining an individual's identity.
Social Control: Mechanisms that regulate individual behavior to conform to societal norms.
Recidivism: The tendency to reoffend; often highlighted in discussions about the effectiveness of the justice system.
Normalization: The process by which previously deviant behaviors become accepted in society.

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Test your knowledge on deviance and social control with these flashcards. Explore key concepts such as the social context of deviant behavior and theories like labeling theory. Challenge yourself to understand how deviance is perceived in different communities.

Sociology Chapter 8: Deviance and Social Control

Questions and Answers

Which of the following statements about deviance are true? (Select all that apply)

What is the perspective that argues that deviance is the result of how others interpret a behavior?

What is a label that overshadows all other components of a person's identity?

What did Emile Durkheim state about deviant behavior?

Deviant behavior has which of the following impacts on society? (Select all that apply)

Which of the following would be considered deviant behaviors in the United States of the early 21st century? (Select all that apply)

What function of deviance is demonstrated by the mourning and fear after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001?

Labeling theory argues that deviance is the result of how others interpret a behavior.

What did sociologist Emile Durkheim believe about healthy societies?

What is the term for the shame attached to behavior or status that is considered socially unacceptable?

Deviance is a product of the social relationship between those who affirm the boundaries of 'normal' and those who cross such boundaries.

How can deviance be functional and positive according to Durkheim? (Select all that apply)

Why do sociologists avoid defining deviance as a consequence of individual immorality?

What is a formal system for punishing students who cheat an example of?

Which statements about the medicalization of deviance are true? (Select all that apply)

Kai Erikson's study of deviance within the seventeenth-century Massachusetts Bay Colony illustrates which function of deviance?

What does the rational choice approach state about deviant behavior?

Which innovations were once considered deviant? (Select all that apply)

Which of the following are considered sociological explanations of deviance that emphasize social dynamics? (Select all that apply)

A ______ is a group in which membership is based on a shared commitment to specific nonconformist beliefs or behaviors.

Individuals who see deviance as a consequence of ______ essentially view deviant behavior as evil.

Commission of deviant acts without the social support of other participants is known as ______ deviance.

The designation of deviant behavior as an illness that health professionals can treat is referred to as the ______ of deviance.

Which sociologist suggested that deviance results from the conflict between the dominant norms and goals of American society and the legitimate means of achieving these goals?

What does the example of a young man intending to rob a fast food restaurant but changing his mind after seeing police illustrate?

Which statements about body weight in the United States are true? (Select all that apply)

Which statements about deviant subcultures are true? (Select all that apply)

Today's favorable attitude toward cosmetic surgery, and the declining stigma associated with it, is an example of what?

People who intentionally cut, burn, or otherwise mutilate their bodies demonstrate which kind of deviance?

What landmark piece of legislation was instrumental in preventing discrimination against people who are disabled?

______ emphasizes that pressure on those who lack the means to achieve culturally defined goals leads them to pursue deviant routes to success.

Which statements demonstrate why power is significant? (Select all that apply)

According to a national survey, women defined as obese with a BMI greater than 30 have ______ than women with a BMI less than 30.

We may not always be conscious of the battle between deviance and social control because we tend to ______ social norms and expectations.

What does continually being observed by authorities who police the boundaries of what's normal refer to?

What is the process by which previously deviant behaviors become accepted as conventional?

What are social institutions that enforce norms and rules, attempt to prevent rule violations, and identify and punish rule violators called?

Advocates of Deaf Culture do not consider deaf people to be disabled; instead, they define the deaf community as a ______ minority.

Which statements about surveillance in the twenty-first century are true? (Select all that apply)

What is most likely to happen when organizations with political or economic power violate norms?

Which statements are true of third-party cookies? (Select all that apply)

The incentives and punishments that promote conformity in social life are known as what?

What does crime refer to?

What did Durkheim believe is the only force capable of controlling human passions?

Which of the following are examples of property crime? (Select all that apply)

What is an example of a public order crime?

Possibilities for surveillance in the twenty-first century have expanded dramatically.

What is the process of making an illegal action legal referred to as?

Tracking is done by which of the following? (Select all that apply)

Hate crimes are motivated by bias against a victim's which of the following? (Select all that apply)

What is the design of the criminal justice system intended to do? (Select all that apply)

Which explanations have sociologists offered for the declining crime rates in the United States in the 1990s? (Select all that apply)

Which are examples of violent crime? (Select all that apply)

What are the most common crimes referred to as?

What rationale for societal punishment holds that the more severe the crime, the harsher the penalty should be?

What criminal action has recently become decriminalized in states such as Colorado, California, and Oregon?

In the criminal justice system, what is a return to criminal behavior termed?

What type of crime is attacking individuals based on their sexual orientation?

Which arguments do critics of the death penalty use? (Select all that apply)

What are statistics that measure the incidence of crime in relation to population size called?

What does research indicate about whites favoring the death penalty compared to nonwhites?

What is the process by which nonconformist activities or styles turn into commercial products referred to as?

Those who believe in deterrence think that potential criminals will be less likely to pursue criminal activity when they see what?

In the United States, the rate of recidivism is very low.

Which arguments are used to advocate for the death penalty? (Select all that apply)

Which group is far more likely than African Americans to favor the death penalty?

What can the slogan 'What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas' be referred to as?

Study Notes

Understanding Deviance and Social Control

Impact of Deviance on Society

Sociological Perspectives and Theories

Norms and Deviance

Crime and Justice System

Public Perception and Legislation

Changing Attitudes Toward Deviance

Key Terms

Studying That Suits You

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