Deviance and Social Control Flashcard

Front

What is a negative effect of deviance?

Back

It erodes trusts.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'It erodes trusts,' highlights a negative effect of deviance, as it can lead to a breakdown in social cohesion and mutual confidence among individuals, undermining the fabric of society.

Front

According to the control theory, what determines the strength of a person’s conformity to social norms?

Back

Participation in approved social activities

Answer explanation

According to control theory, conformity to social norms is influenced by social engagement. Participation in approved social activities reinforces adherence to norms, making it the key factor in determining conformity.

Front

Which of the following is true about deviance?

Back

Ideas of deviance can change from one social context to another.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that deviance is not fixed; it varies across different social contexts. What is considered deviant in one society may be accepted in another, reflecting changing norms and values.

Front

What is considered deviant behavior in industrial society? Options: refusal to work, owning private property, competition among employees, white-collar crime.

Back

refusal to work

Answer explanation

In industrial society, refusal to work is seen as deviant behavior because it goes against the societal expectation of productivity and contribution to the economy, unlike owning property or competition, which are accepted norms.

Front

According to the control theory, what term best explains the differences in the ways white people and minorities are punished for criminal behavior?

Back

labeling

Answer explanation

Labeling theory explains how societal labels affect individuals' identities and behaviors. White people and minorities may be labeled differently, leading to disparities in punishment for similar criminal behaviors.

Front

Violations of social norms that offend a large number of people or people in a position to influence social judgment is called-

Back

Deviance

Answer explanation

Deviance refers to violations of social norms that disturb or offend a significant number of people, especially those in positions of authority. This makes 'Deviance' the correct answer to the question.

Front

According to conflict theorists, what are criminal acts?

Back

Criminal acts are acts that the ruling class brands as criminal.

Answer explanation

According to conflict theorists, laws reflect the interests of the ruling class. Thus, criminal acts are defined by those in power, making the correct choice "criminal acts are acts that the ruling class brands as criminal."

Front

Which theory of deviance does the passage about the Saints and the Roughnecks most align to? Townspeople never perceived the Saints' high level of delinquency. The Saints were good boys who just went in for an occasional prank. After all, they were well dressed, well mannered and had nice cars. The Roughnecks were a different story. Although the two gangs of boys were the same age, and both groups engaged in an equal amount of wild-oat sowing, everyone agreed that the not-so-well-dressed, not-so-well-mannered, not-so-rich boys were heading for trouble. -from William J. Chambliss, “The Saints and the Roughnecks,” Society 11, Nov/Dec 1973

Back

Interactionist perspective

Answer explanation

The passage illustrates how perceptions of deviance vary based on social status and appearance, aligning with the Interactionist perspective, which focuses on how individuals and groups are labeled and perceived by society.

Front

Social control refers to -

Back

the methods a society uses to promote order and stability.

Answer explanation

Social control encompasses the methods a society employs to maintain order and stability, ensuring that individuals adhere to norms and values. This is why the correct answer is the methods a society uses to promote order and stability.

Front

White-collar crime can be described as

Back

job-related crimes committed by high-status people.

Answer explanation

White-collar crime refers specifically to job-related crimes committed by high-status individuals, distinguishing it from other types of crime that may involve lower socioeconomic status.