Chapter 6

How does structural strain theory explain the existence of deviance?

Deviance is the result of the tension between socially approved goals and an individuals ability to meet those goals through socially approved means.

According to Merton's structural strain theory, an individual who deals drugs in order to get rich would be called a/an:

Innovator.

Stealing avocados or almost any other agricultural product, is a felony in California if the product is worth more than $100. Supporters of this law believe that it is the only way to protect farmers from vagrants and transients who can ruin their viability of small farms. However if you believe that such a law also target homeless people who are simply trying to eat, and that they are punished because they have almost no power within society, then you are probably:

a conflict theorist,

What did Robert Merton call a prediction that came true only because the prediction was made?

a self-fulfilling prophecy

According to Robert Merton's structural strain theory, which of the following individuals would be LEAST likely to be a deviant?

a white college student from a middle-class family who's experimenting with drugs while in college and is interested in sports

A man is riding on a bus when suddenly, for no reason, he stands up and yells, "FIRE! FIREF There is clearly no fire. and people are really irritated at the delay this causes. His behavior was:

deviance

Angela's mother says to her, "don't want you to hang around with Melissa. She's going to be a bad influence on you." The mother may not know it but she's subscribing to which theory?

differential association theory

The idea that individuals learn to be deviant by interacting with others who are already deviant is called:

differential association theory.

How do sociologists define positive deviance?

instances where a rule violation is, or seems to be, an admirable act that should be supported

Which sociological theory would agree with the following statement: "Deviance helps society clarify moral boundaries and promotes social cohesion?

structural functionalism

According to labeling theory, why were none of the pseudopatients in David Rosenhan's "On Being Sane in Insane Places" discoverd

Once a person has been labeled "mentally ilI," it is very hard for anyone to see past the label.

According to the structural strain theory of deviance as articulated by Robert Merton, what is one of the principal reasons that people turn to deviant behavior in the United States?

The goal of success is shared by a majority of people, but not everyone has equal means to achieve that goal.

Examine the graphic depiction above of Robert Merton's typology of deviance. Why do you think that those who embrace both new means and new goals are depicted as being just barely connected to the other types that Merton described?

They advocate a radical alternative to the existing social order and are trying to break free from everyone else.

T/F According to structural functionalist theory, the function of deviance is to help clarify moral boundaries and affirm social norms

True

T/F Sociologists argue that no behavior, not even one designed to kill a great number of people, is inherently deviant.

True

T/F The differential association theory of deviance focuses on peer pressure and "bad influences" to show how deviance is a process of social learning.

True

How do self-fulfilling prophecies work?

We respond not only to the objective assigned to our behavior, the consequences of that features of a situation, but also to its meaning. Once meaning has been behavior are determined by the meaning.

Which sociological theory would agree with the following statement: "Deviance is defined by the powerful, and the behaviors of the less powerful are more likely to be criminalized than the behaviors of the powerful?

conflict theory

In order for a behavior, trait, or belief to be considered deviant, it must:

depart from a norm and generate a negative reaction.

If you got pulled over for speeding, and the punishment was 20 years in prison, it might make you reconsider the speed at which you drive, right? This idea is called

deterrence

If someone breaks into your house or car,. that person has committed:

property crimes

In "On Being Sane in Insane Places," David Rosenhan suggests that:

researchers posing as "pseudopatients" in a mental hospital, but otherwise acting normally, were nonetheless treated as insane by the hospital staff.

Johnny got sick and missed a week of school. He failed the test when he came back. His friends called him stupid. He was so upset that he didn't want to go back to school, so he skipped a lot of classes, His teachers said that he wasn't a good student, so he decided to drop dut of school. What happened?

seif-fulfilling prophecy

Insider trading is an example of:

white-collar crimes.