Sociology of Deviance and Crime

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the functions of laws in society?

To influence personal choices

To resolve conflict (correct)

To promote economic growth

To create social hierarchies

Which of the following is considered a form of deviance?

Complying with societal norms

Following government regulations

Charitable giving

Public smoking (correct)

Who primarily defines what is considered deviant behavior in society?

Only legal authorities

Anonymous internet users

Individuals and cultural groups (correct)

Only academic scholars

What does the classical theory of crime causation primarily seek to explain?

Why particular individuals commit crimes Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of deviant behavior?

It violates social norms Signup and view all the answers

According to Howard Becker, what aspect makes an act deviant?

Societal reaction to the act Signup and view all the answers

What behavior is an example of a socially accepted deviance in Western culture?

Drinking alcohol Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between crime and deviance?

Not all crimes are considered deviant. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of social process theories in explaining crime?

Interactions between people and society Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'felicific calculus'?

A way to calculate the balance of pleasure and pain in actions Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests that criminals are physiological throwbacks to earlier stages of human evolution?

Biological determinism Signup and view all the answers

What effect does social disorganization have on crime rates according to ecological theories?

Increases crime due to the breakdown of collective efficacy Signup and view all the answers

What is a fundamental assumption of conflict theory in relation to crime?

The nature of laws benefits the economically privileged Signup and view all the answers

What do social structure theories primarily investigate?

How societal structure influences crime frequency Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of street crime in comparison to suit crime?

Generally receives less harsh sanctions Signup and view all the answers

What social factor is emphasized by labeling theory in the study of crime?

The impact of being labeled as deviant Signup and view all the answers

What main critique is directed at early biological theories of crime?

They fail to account for social factors Signup and view all the answers

What does the Functionalist Perspective primarily view traditional gender roles as?

An essential strategy for social cohesion Signup and view all the answers

According to Conflict Theorists, what is necessary for achieving gender equality?

Dismantling capitalism and private property Signup and view all the answers

How does the Symbolic Interactionist Perspective view gender roles?

As socially constructed through interactions Signup and view all the answers

What concept did Judith Butler challenge concerning gender?

Gender roles are fundamentally linked to biology Signup and view all the answers

What does Patricia Hill Collins' matrix of domination address?

The interplay of various intersecting inequalities Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the compounded effects of inequities across various identities?

Intersectionality Signup and view all the answers

What is one key insight into the nature of gender roles highlighted in the content?

Diverse identities face unique societal challenges Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best encapsulates the focus of Feminist Sociology?

Understanding gender as a social construct Signup and view all the answers

How can gendered expectations in schools impact students' career paths?

Through the hidden curriculum that emphasizes gender differences Signup and view all the answers

What has changed in media representations of women in recent years?

Recent films depict stronger, independent female characters Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of gender ideology regarding men's and women's roles?

Women are often seen as passive and nurturing Signup and view all the answers

What does toxic masculinity promote among men?

Aggressive behavior and suppression of emotions Signup and view all the answers

Which societal issue is linked to the portrayal of women in advertisements?

The sexualization and dehumanization of women Signup and view all the answers

What has caused female participation in post-secondary education to rise?

Despite rising participation, pervasive stereotypes and biases remain Signup and view all the answers

How does hegemonic masculinity influence men's behavior?

It fosters violent acts and sexual aggression Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge regarding portrayals of gender in media?

Stereotypes remain strong despite broader changes Signup and view all the answers

What does toxic masculinity refer to?

Harmful attitudes and behaviors associated with hegemonic masculinity Signup and view all the answers

According to conflict theory, what played a significant role in the emergence of male domination?

The concern for inheritance and ensuring paternity Signup and view all the answers

How does functionalist theory view the roles of men and women?

As separate, specialized, and complementary functions Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'doing' gender imply?

Individuals perform gendered behaviors based on socialization and norms Signup and view all the answers

What does symbolic interactionism primarily focus on regarding gender?

The meanings and interpretations of masculinity and femininity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traits are often associated with toxic masculinity?

Aggression and emotional detachment Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of socialization in shaping toxic masculinity?

It teaches men to be unemotional and aggressive Signup and view all the answers

How are sex and gender fundamentally different?

Sex pertains to biological differences, while gender relates to social roles Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'two-spirit' refer to in some indigenous cultures?

Individuals who fulfill traditional non-conforming roles within their communities Signup and view all the answers

How do family dynamics influence gender expectations in children?

By assigning colors like pink and blue for girls and boys, respectively Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant aspect of the hidden curriculum in education regarding gender?

Promoting leadership skills in boys over girls Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe the burden women face when managing both paid and household work?

Second shift Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about drag performances?

Performers dress up as a different gender without necessarily identifying with that sex Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the gender wage gap in Canada?

Women earn approximately 75% of what men earn for full-time work. Signup and view all the answers

Which media representation contributes profoundly to the ideology of gender?

Reinforcing stereotypes through commercials and music videos Signup and view all the answers

What concept refers to the tendency for women to be overrepresented in lower-paying jobs?

Pink ghettos Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best captures a criticism of modern business portrayals in literature?

They heavily rely on outdated themes from traditional fairy tales Signup and view all the answers

Which legal framework in Canada historically privileged male lineage?

The Indian Act Signup and view all the answers

How did the COVID-19 pandemic specifically impact women's workforce participation?

It forced many women to leave their jobs due to domestic obligations. Signup and view all the answers

What is a commonly recognized misconception about non-binary individuals?

They exclusively identify with one of the binary genders Signup and view all the answers

How many genders have been identified in contemporary discussions?

70 Signup and view all the answers

What disparity exists for Indigenous women concerning violence?

They are disproportionately victims of violence, including domestic violence. Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason egalitarian attitudes have not significantly changed domestic labor dynamics?

Societal norms strongly favor men in domestic roles. Signup and view all the answers

What structural issue contributes to systemic gender stratification in the workforce?

The predominance of women in part-time jobs. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'cisgender' refer to?

Individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were born with Signup and view all the answers

What does the notion of 'emphasized femininity' entail?

An ideal female who is always beautiful, supportive, and enthusiastic Signup and view all the answers

What defines transgender individuals?

Those whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of the concept of masculinity as outlined by Connell?

Tied to the ideas of authority and heterosexual success Signup and view all the answers

How are sex and gender commonly understood in societal terms?

Both sex and gender are viewed as binary and mutually exclusive Signup and view all the answers

What is 'non-binary' gender identity?

Identifying as a mixture of both genders or outside binary categories Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about intersex individuals is accurate?

They may be born with both male and female anatomical features Signup and view all the answers

What societal change has been observed regarding femininity over the last 60-70 years?

Femininity ideals have shifted towards more diverse body types Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a 'transvestite' from other transgender identities?

A transvestite typically dresses in the clothing of another gender without altering their sex Signup and view all the answers

How is the concept of masculinity often problematic according to the discussion?

It implies success and reliability, which are often unrealistic standards Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Deviance and Crime

Deviance is the violation of social norms. It can include actions, appearances, relationships, and beliefs.
Crime is a codified violation of law. All crimes are considered deviant, but not all deviance is considered criminal.

Why do we Need Laws?

Laws resolve conflict and maintain social order.
They create an illusion of equal quality and social structure.
Laws are concerned with values, interactions, patterns, and ideologies.

Sociology and Law

Sociology examines crime as a social phenomenon, including how laws are created, broken, and responded to.
Norms, social control, human rights, and power dynamics are crucial elements.

Crime

Certain behaviors and actions, codified in law as criminal, require social control and intervention (e.g., murder, assault, theft).
Some behaviors that violate norms may not be criminal (e.g., tattoos in some eras).

Crime and Deviance

Deviance is any act that violates social norms. This includes aspects of our lives, like appearance, relationships, sexuality, occupations, and how we treat our bodies.
Examples of deviance (but not always crime): Tattoos, smoking, smoking while pregnant, relationships with age gaps, drug use, professors having relationships with students, carrying weapons.

Explaining Crime: Theories of Crime Causation

Classical theories: Focus on free will and rational choice, arguing that people commit crime because they calculate the pleasure and pain of their actions.
Biological theories: Suggest criminality results from inherent biological factors, like inherited traits or brain defects.
Sociological theories: Examine the roots of crime in social structures, focusing on how social groups, interactions, and processes influence criminality. These emphasize the roles of social class, social structure, and social processes in explaining crime.
Social Structure theories: Emphasize that the structure and organization of society contribute to crime rates.
- Example: Social disorganization theory, focusing on the breakdown of social norms and institutions in certain communities.
- Example: The labelling theory examines how individuals are labelled deviant: the labelling leads to a self-image as a deviant, leading to further deviant behavior.
Social process theories: This investigates how individuals learn criminal behavior through the interactions with others, examining how relationships contribute to crime.
- Example: How persons learn to engage in criminal behavior because they have contact with crime.
- Example: Social learning theory, emphasizing how we learn behaviors through observation and modeling.
Social conflict theories: These theories analyze crime as a result of the power imbalances, exploitation, and oppression present in society.
- Example: How laws are enforced unequally based on social class.

Street Crime vs. Suite Crime

Street crime (e.g., theft, assault): tends to get more attention than "suite" crime (white-collar crime).
Street crime impacts a greater number of people; it is often related to criminal groups and affects social structures. It receives less harsh penalties and has less media attention.

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Description

Explore the intricate relationship between deviance and crime in this sociology quiz. Understand how social norms and laws interact, and the role of sociology in examining crime as a social phenomenon. This quiz will challenge your knowledge of legal definitions and societal values related to deviant behavior.