Deviant Behavior Midterm: Ch. 1-6

Which of the following is an important reason why sociologists have a difficult time when studying family violence? a) The family is the most cherished and intimate social institution in our lives. b) Too few people today belong to formal families. c) The great diversity of family life makes studying family violence too difficult. d) The family is too private to study sociologically.

a) The family is the most cherished and intimate social institution in our lives

All of the following are part of the positivist perspective on deviance, EXCEPT that deviance is a) a label. b) intrinsically real. c) an objective fact. d) determined behavior.

a) a label.

Most positivist sociologists today continue to reject the idea of free will as an explanation of deviance because free will cannot explain why one person a) commits deviant acts while others do not. b) refrains from committing deviant acts. c) commits both deviant and non-deviant acts. d) is born with a tendency toward deviance.

a) commits deviant acts while others do not.

. At the heart of the conflict between phenomenologists and positivists is a) different philosophical views of humanity. b) different views on the punishment of deviants. c) whether deviance is a primary or secondary phenomenon. d) whether sociology should even study immoral behavior like deviance.

a) different philosophical views of humanity.

After committing the violence, most abusive husbands a) do not admit guilt. b) freely admit guilt. c) undergo counseling. d) go to jail.

a) do not admit guilt.

All of the following are factors that lead to more rape-prone campuses, except for a) mandatory membership in fraternities. b) a tradition of heavy drinking. c) not seriously dealing with sexual assault. d) rampant homophobia.

a) mandatory membership in fraternities.

Men who have lost control of their lives due to poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, or alcoholism are a) more likely to become abusive husbands. b) less likely to become abusive husbands. c) just as abusive as men who have control over their lives. d) usually too depressed about life to act in a violent way.

a) more likely to become abusive husbands.

According to Erikson and others, labeling other persons as deviant has a) positive consequences for the community or individuals who apply the label. b) negative consequences for the community or persons who apply the label. c) positive consequences for the person who is labeled by the community. d) little impact beyond the social control of the person who is deviant.

a) positive consequences for the community or individuals who apply the label.

Joe is a sociologist who is undertaking a study of drug use. He is interested in how broken families and poor neighborhoods lead to more problems of drug addiction. Joe is following a __________ theory of deviant behavior. a) positivist b) constructionist c) scientific d) historical

a) positivist

According to Lemert, what is the first act in the sequence of interaction leading to secondary deviation? a) primary deviation b) a deviant impulse c) tertiary deviation d) the confession of deviance

a) primary deviation

According to Merton, when persons hold high success aspirations and are not given the opportunity to realize them, they might a) resort to illegitimate means of achieving their aspirations. b) reset their goals to an even higher level. c) feel irrepressible psychological pressures and become violent. d) become more religious.

a) resort to illegitimate means of achieving their aspirations.

One serious consequence of marital rape is a) self-blame and guilt by the victim. b) the furthering of the norms of matriarchy. c) the culture's condemnation of marital rape. d) the sensitive involvement of the police.

a) self-blame and guilt by the victim.

According to Robert Merton's goal-means gap theory, the psychoanalytic approach to deviant behavior is wrong because that theory incorrectly assumes a) society discourages the individual from engaging in deviant behavior. b) society encourages the individual to engage in deviant behavior. c) society has no impact on human biological impulses. d) individuals freely choose to partake in deviant behavior.

a) society discourages the individual from engaging in deviant behavior.

. All of the following are part of America's culture of rape, EXCEPT for a) the formation of anti-rape organizations like rape crisis centers. b) the myth that women want to be raped. c) using women in men's masculinity contests. d) treating women like men's property.

a) the formation of anti-rape organizations like rape crisis centers.

Ethnography is defined as the style of research that seeks to understand a) the meanings the people under investigation ascribe to their experiences. b) the factual aspects of behavior that people follow. c) the causes of behavior under study. d) why the larger society considers some behavior as deviant and other behavior as normal.

a) the meanings the people under investigation ascribe to their experiences.

The most prevalent form of forced sex is a) the rape of a woman by her husband. b) the rape of a woman by a stranger. c) rapes occurring in college fraternities. d) rapes occurring along with a felony.

a) the rape of a woman by her husband.

Which of the following types of people are examples of positive deviants? a) the saint, the intellectual, and the genius b) those who show bad manners at the dinner table c) the badly scarred, the blind, and the deaf d) murderers, rapists, and kidnappers

a) the saint, the intellectual, and the genius

According to research, which of the following statements is true? a) Most marital rape involves vaginal penetration. b) Forced anal intercourse occurs more often than forced vaginal intercourse. c) Most marital rape involves kinky sex acts such as bondage. d) Marital rape never occurs after a woman has given birth to a child.

b) Forced anal intercourse occurs more often than forced vaginal intercourse.

Which of the following statements reflects the symbolic interactionist's view of human beings? a) Humans are simply a medium on which social forces operate in a neutral way. b) Humans face, deal with, and act toward the objects they encounter. c) Human behavior largely follows well-established patterns. d) Individuals have little awareness about what is going on around them.

b) Humans face, deal with, and act toward the objects they encounter.

Which of the following statements reflects how a rape case is actually handled in court? a) The accused is presumed guilty of the crime until proven innocent. b) The accuser is presumed guilty of "asking for it" until proven innocent. c) The accuser is presumed innocent of "asking for it" until proven guilty. d) The judge prevents the defense lawyer from suggesting how "loose" a woman the accuser is.

b) The accuser is presumed guilty of "asking for it" until proven innocent.

According to a definition of spouse abuse that includes both violent and nonviolent acts, a) about 10 percent of all married persons in the U.S. assault their spouses. b) about one-third of all U.S. couples assault their spouses. c) the problem of spouse abuse largely disappears. d) husbands are much more likely to be seen as victims of spouse abuse.

b) about one-third of all U.S. couples assault their spouses

Which of the following is one way rapists attempt to determine the vulnerability of their victims? a) joining health clubs and becoming friendly with members b) approaching a woman on the street and asking for directions c) asking a woman out on a date and drugging her d) gathering a gang of friends together and grabbing a victim off the street

b) approaching a woman on the street and asking for directions

Sociologists who study the role of power in the definition of deviance have discovered that the rich and powerful a) are rarely deviant. b) can avoid the label of deviance. c) are prejudiced toward most types of deviant behavior. d) ignore most forms of deviant behavior.

b) can avoid the label of deviance.

Deviance as an "observable object" means that deviance a) is largely a subjective phenomenon. b) can be studied in a factual way. c) is behavior that at least a few people agree is deviant. d) actually exists in the minds of the beholder.

b) can be studied in a factual way.

. Early in the twentieth century, criminologists believed that a) criminals are made, not born. b) criminals are born, not made. c) criminal status varies within time and space. d) crime is determined by the social environment.

b) criminals are born, not made.

One negative criticism of labeling theory is that it a) is not a sociological theory. b) does not actually explain the causes of deviance. c) is too deterministic a theory. d) emphasizes the causes of deviance too much.

b) does not actually explain the causes of deviance.

According to sociologists, participation in a gang rape a) is an expression of latent homosexuality. b) fulfills a social need more than a sexual desire. c) is a psychologically disturbed act. d) is an erotic act for the participants.

b) fulfills a social need more than a sexual desire.

According to phenomenologists, what deviance means is a) obvious to all observers. b) fundamentally problematic. c) insignificant for the understanding of deviant behavior. d) an objective fact.

b) fundamentally problematic.

All of Jane's friends have jewelry and new clothes, but she had no money to buy them. She therefore resorted to shoplifting to get what she wanted. According to Merton's theory, her behavior is an example of a) conformity. b) innovation. c) ritualism. d) retreatism.

b) innovation.

Until recently, almost all rapes were a) interracial. b) intraracial. c) same-sexed. d) older men raping younger women.

b) intraracial.

According to the author of the text, the assertion that many rapes are victim-precipitated a) accurately describes how a majority of rapes begin. b) is a male's biased view of rape. c) is a way the feminist movement has challenged indifference to rape. d) no longer describes how rapes occur.

b) is a male's biased view of rape

Research has shown that majority of abused women a) continue to put up with the abuse. b) leave abusive relationships. c) attack or murder their husbands. d) join women's centers and fight against more abuse.

b) leave abusive relationships

Millions of people at one time or another have smoked marijuana. If sociologists asked a sample of U.S. citizens about this behavior, they would most likely discover that a) almost everyone agreed that smoking marijuana is deviant. b) many people disagreed about the deviant status of marijuana. c) almost everyone did not really care about whether smoking marijuana is deviant or not. d) almost everyone in the sample had smoked marijuana.

b) many people disagreed about the deviant status of marijuana.

According to labeling theory, being labeled deviant produces a) positive consequences. b) negative consequences. c) no consequences whatsoever. d) some consequences whose nature cannot at present be understood.

b) negative consequences.

Anger, revenge, and courage to keep a rapist in jail are _____ ways rape survivors react after being raped. a) inward b) outward c) irrational d) psychological

b) outward

Feelings of depression, anxiety, and helplessness such as those suffered by U.S. soldiers who served in Vietnam and victims of physical injury, are called a) stress-induced mental illness. b) posttraumatic stress disorder. c) poststress syndrome. d) stress depression.

b) posttraumatic stress disorder.

According to Cohen's theory, the place in American society where lower-class boys experience the greatest status frustration is a) home. b) school. c) neighborhood. d) the job.

b) school.

The essence of several types of anomie-strain theory is that the experience of a) personal, psychological strain leads to deviant behavior. b) socially induced strain pressures individuals to commit deviant acts. c) significant social and political conflict leads to deviant acts. d) cultural change leads to social strain and outbreaks of deviant behavior.

b) socially induced strain pressures individuals to commit deviant acts.

Merton's version of anomie-strain theory is based on the premise that a) the breakdown of social norms, or anomie, allows deviance to occur. b) society encourages the individual to engage in deviance. c) deviant behavior is the expression of the individual's primitive psychological desires. d) society cannot restrain the individual from using power to prevent deviance.

b) society encourages the individual to engage in deviance.

The most conservative sources estimate that an average woman's chance of suffering a rape are one in a) two. b) ten. c) forty. d) seventy.

b) ten.

. For feminists, a major cause of wife beating is a) poor economic and social conditions. b) the sexist, patriarchal nature of society. c) some men's lack of self-esteem. d) men's greater access to the means of violence such as guns.

b) the sexist, patriarchal nature of society

Which of the following statements about the definition of deviance is TRUE? a) Almost all persons in a society will agree on the nature of deviant behavior. b) Definitions of deviant behavior are determined by a nation's economy. c) There is usually a great deal of disagreement among people as to what they consider deviant. d) Few persons in a society are concerned about the definition of deviance.

c) There is usually a great deal of disagreement among people as to what they consider deviant.

Which of the following is a reason why most of the women who continue to live with abusive husbands do not leave? a) They are pressured by religious and other groups to which they belong to stay. b) They are waiting for the right moment to seek revenge against their husbands. c) They fear their husbands will retaliate. d) They fear leaving will harm their prospects for getting a good job.

c) They fear their husbands will retaliate.

All of the following are definitions of deviance proposed by different sociologists, EXCEPT that deviance is a) behavior that is labeled negative by politicians and the police. b) a departure from the normative standards of a common culture. c) always immoral behavior. d) behavior eliciting anger or disapproval from large numbers of people.

c) always immoral behavior.

To phenomenologists, "constructs of the second degree" a) reflect the real meaning of deviance. b) reflect deviants' subjective views. c) are far removed from the reality of deviant experience. d) are truly objective, because they are free of emotional judgment.

c) are far removed from the reality of deviant experience.

Cohen's theory of status frustration closely resembles Merton's goal-means gap because they both a) use similar styles of research. b) argue that deviant actions are the product of individual choice. c) assert that lower-class people are more likely to engage in deviant actions. d) assume that social class has little to do with deviant behavior.

c) assert that lower-class people are more likely to engage in deviant actions.

The theories of positivist sociologists attempt to explain the __________ of deviance. a) negative features b) functions c) causes d) meanings

c) causes

Definitions of deviance fall into two opposing perspectives, the positivist and the a) traditional. b) moral. c) constructionist. d) modernist.

c) constructionist.

Which of the following is NOT one of the constructionist theories of deviance? a) labeling theory b) phenomenological theory c) control theory d) conflict theory

c) control theory

According to Albert Cohen, when lower-class boys experience status frustration, they set up their own competitive system in the form of a) violent gangs. b) religious groups. c) delinquent subcultures. d) boys clubs.

c) delinquent subcultures.

Cloward and Ohlin attempt to extend Merton's central idea that the lower classes are denied legitimate opportunity by introducing the concept of a) status frustration. b) the means-goal gap. c) differential illegitimate opportunity. d) differential legitimate opportunity.

c) differential illegitimate opportunity.

Most rapists a) commit their crime impulsively. b) commit their crime explosively. c) do some planning before their assaults. d) experience intense sexual desire before a rape.

c) do some planning before their assaults.

. To analyze how their subjects feel and think about deviance, phenomenologists use the method of a) construction. b) surveys. c) ethnography. d) introspection.

c) ethnography.

According to Jack Douglas, there are two types of meanings: abstract meanings and __________ meanings. a) immoral b) moral c) independent d) situated

c) independent

A majority of actual rapes a) involve little actual violence. b) actually never occur. c) involve pushing, shoving, or choking the victim. d) lead to little more than verbal threats.

c) involve pushing, shoving, or choking the victim.

According to Cohen's theory, status frustration is most likely to occur among a) upper-class boys. b) middle-class boys. c) lower-class boys. d) lower-class girls.

c) lower-class boys.

According to Merton, the only cultural value of importance in American society is a) family relationships. b) hard work. c) material success. d) religious faith.

c) material success.

. Which of the following is NOT a symptom of the battered woman syndrome? a) loss of self-esteem b) expecting the terror of violence c) passively submitting to more violence d) feeling trapped

c) passively submitting to more violence

Which of the following factors is involved in most marital rapes? a) money or the lack of it b) drugs or alcohol c) physical violence or threats of it d) pornography

c) physical violence or threats of it

Labeling theory interprets deviance as a(n) a) totally subjective experience. b) expression of human animalistic tendencies. c) process of symbolic interactionism. d) outcome of conflict between powerful groups.

c) process of symbolic interactionism.

All of the following are types of legal reforms designed to help women in court, EXCEPT for a) renaming rape as criminal sexual assault. b) enacting rape shield laws. c) requiring all rape cases to be heard by female judges. d) preventing defense attorneys from admitting any evidence of a victim's previous sexual experiences.

c) requiring all rape cases to be heard by female judges.

Influenced by the culture of rape, a man whose wife has been raped tends to a) respect or love her more than before. b) respect or love her as much as before. c) respect or love her less than before. d) scold her for having cheated on him.

c) respect or love her less than before.

Joe, a steel worker in Cleveland, Ohio, has no aspirations of being rich and successful. Nevertheless, he works hard and takes pride in his job. According to Merton's theory, this is an example of a) conformity. b) innovation. c) ritualism. d) retreatism.

c) ritualism.

One problem positivist sociological researchers face that natural scientists do not is a) sociologists are able to use more objective criteria than natural scientists are. b) natural scientists have a bigger problem with personal bias than sociologists. c) sociologists have difficulties with personal biases and making moral judgments about research subjects. d) sociologists find studying human behavior is substantially easier than studying the natural environment.

c) sociologists have difficulties with personal biases and making moral judgments about research subjects.

8. Which of the following groups is most likely to be involved in imposing labels? a) the poor b) the criminal c) the powerful d) women

c) the powerful

. According to sociologists who study the role of power in the definition of deviance, deviance is any act that a) violates the criminal law. b) violates deeply held moral values. c) the powerful consider to be a violation of some social rule. d) involves the behavior of the poor.

c) the powerful consider to be a violation of some social rule.

The extent of family violence varies from one report to another because researchers a) are unskilled in research methods. b) use poor research methods. c) utilize different definitions of family violence. d) are often victims of family violence.

c) utilize different definitions of family violence.

With acquaintance rape, the rapist mostly uses a) physical threats. b) actual violence. c) verbal coercion. d) a weapon.

c) verbal coercion.

One reason why many rapists felt they would never go to prison for rape is that they believed that a) they were too clever to get caught. b) the police would never really respond to the claim of rape. c) women were sexual objects for men to use for pleasure. d) their lawyers would be able to get a not-guilty conviction.

c) women were sexual objects for men to use for pleasure.

. In a recent nationwide survey undertaken by Ms. Magazine, nearly __________ percent of the college women who had been raped by their dates did NOT identify their experience as rape. a) 5 b) 25 c) 45 d) 75

d) 75

The real extent of family violence may be much higher than the reported figures because a) people are generally reluctant to reveal their family problems to researchers. b) the number of people experiencing abuse runs into the millions, despite the small percentages. c) other types of violence such as financial exploitation, slapping and verbal abuse, widely occur. d) All of the above are true.

d) All of the above are true.

Which of the following statements about marital rape is true? a) It is not a form of family violence. b) It is considered a crime in most states. c) It rarely causes harm to victims. d) Many victims blame themselves for the rape.

d) Many victims blame themselves for the rape.

Which statement about the definition of deviance is TRUE? a) Deviance should include only important violations of the norms. b) All sociologists agree that deviance includes mundane, routine, and normal violations of the norms. c) Deviance is not an important subject anymore. d) Sociologists cannot agree on a precise definition of deviance.

d) Sociologists cannot agree on a precise definition of deviance.

According to Merton's anomie-strain theory, which of the following statements is true? a) All Americans have about the same chance of reaching high success goals. b) Both the cultural goals of success and the legitimate means of achieving high success goals are freely available to all Americans. c) Relatively few Americans believe that success is an important part of life. d) The legitimate means of achieving high success goals are not freely available to all classes of people.

d) The legitimate means of achieving high success goals are not freely available to all classes of people.

When it comes to family violence, all of the following are false EXCEPT which one? a) Family violence hits the poor only. b) Family violence and love cannot happen together. c) Alcohol and drugs are involved in almost all cases of family violence. d) The majority of child abuse victims do not grow up to abuse their children.

d) The majority of child abuse victims do not grow up to abuse their children.

. According to the labeling theory, deviance is a) an objective reality. b) a property inherent in the actor. c) a label created by the person who commits a deviant act. d) a label imposed by others upon a given behavior.

d) a label imposed by others upon a given behavior.

Among sociologists, there is a) much involvement in illegal deviant behavior. b) little interest in the study of deviance. c) widespread agreement about what behavior should be considered deviant. d) a lack of consensus about what behavior should be seen as deviant.

d) a lack of consensus about what behavior should be seen as deviant.

. According to labeling theory, the final step leading to secondary deviation involves a) stronger penalties and rejections. b) formal action taken by the community against the deviant. c) hostilities and resentment on the part of those who penalize the deviant. d) acceptance of and adjustment to deviant social status by the deviant.

d) acceptance of and adjustment to deviant social status by the deviant.

In the study undertaken by Amir, a common victim behavior that eventually leads to "victim-precipitated rape" involves the woman a) submitting to the rapist who threatens her with a gun. b) angering her assailant by resisting him. c) inviting a stranger to have sex with her. d) agreeing to have a drink or ride with a stranger.

d) agreeing to have a drink or ride with a stranger.

In 1965, J. L. Simmons asked a sample of the general public who they thought were deviant. Which of the following did significant numbers of people feel were deviant? a) homosexuals and prostitutes b) communists and atheists c) psychiatrists and priests d) all of the above

d) all of the above

Early criminologists believed deviance was intrinsically real because they believed criminals possessed a) a superior way of life. b) the same biological traits found in non-criminals. c) a distinctive set of labels that set them apart from non-criminals. d) certain biological traits absent in non-criminals.

d) certain biological traits absent in non-criminals.

. According to Cloward and Ohlin, lower-class boys experience different opportunities in the form of three subcultures, which are a) criminal, conflict, and rebellious. b) criminal, retreatist, and innovative. c) conflict, rebellious, and innovative. d) criminal, conflict, and retreatist.

d) criminal, conflict, and retreatist

The "feeling of being raped again" refers to the woman victim's a) recollection of the rape. b) encounter with her assailant. c) feelings if her rapist is released from custody. d) encounter with the police.

d) encounter with the police.

Cloward and Ohlin used the concept of differential illegitimate opportunity to mean that some members of the lower class have a) a greater chance to become middle class through use of illegitimate opportunities. b) more opportunities to pursue legitimate opportunities. c) more positivist cultural values than others. d) fewer opportunities to pursue illegitimate opportunities.

d) fewer opportunities to pursue illegitimate opportunities.

Most rape survivors go through two phases of disorganization before regaining their ability to live normally: an acute phase of humiliation and self-blame, and a longer phase marked by a) strong self-denial. b) rejection of social and sexual relations with others. c) extensive exercise and physical activity. d) frightening dreams and phobias.

d) frightening dreams and phobias.

One reason why labeling theory has enjoyed tremendous popularity among sociologists is because this theory a) supports many of the basic ideas of traditional theories of deviance. b) firmly locates the role of the powerful in creating deviant labels. c) is easy for students to understand. d) has considerable data to support some of its basic ideas.

d) has considerable data to support some of its basic ideas.

. Which of the following is not a cause of rape listed in the text? a) the husband's use of rape to control his wife b) the husband's belief that he is entitled to any kind of sex with his wife c) the existence of patriarchy d) improper behavior on the part of the victim

d) improper behavior on the part of the victim

If you believe that deviant behavior has characteristics that distinguish it from conforming behavior, you believe deviance is a) a label. b) a biased concept. c) biologically determined. d) intrinsically real.

d) intrinsically real.

Which of the following is NOT a primarily positivist theory of deviance? a) differential association b) anomie-strain theory c) control theory d) phenomenological theory

d) phenomenological theory

Which of the following theories examines the subjectivity of people, including their attitudes, feelings, and opinions about deviance? a) conflict theory b) labeling theory c) positivist theory d) phenomenological theory

d) phenomenological theory

Determinist, objectivist, and absolutist are other terms for aspects of the __________ perspective on deviance. a) constructionist b) humanist c) modern d) positivist

d) positivist

Which of the following behavioral characteristics would a rapist NOT consider a sign of vulnerability? a) walking slowly and tentatively b) appearing passive or submissive c) moving arms and legs in short, jerky motions d) projecting confidence without appearing aggressive

d) projecting confidence without appearing aggressive

Peter, disillusioned with the way things are going, decides to live in a hippie commune away from the rest of society. According to Merton's theory, his behavior is an example of a) conformity. b) innovation. c) ritualism. d) retreatism.

d) retreatism.

Today's positivist sociologists now recognize the importance of __________ for understanding deviant behavior. a) religion b) psychological traits c) heredity d) social factors

d) social factors

. All of the following are ways that abusive husbands try to rationalize their violent acts, EXCEPT for a) blaming the victim for provoking the offense. b) minimizing the harm done to the victim. c) attributing the violence to some problem beyond their control. d) stating they do not remember carrying out the rape.

d) stating they do not remember carrying out the rape.

Albert Cohen's theory is similar to Merton's approach, but Cohen replaced the word "success" with the word "__________." a) wealth b) innovation c) anomie d) status

d) status

. According to labeling theory, the focus of sociological research should be on a) how the person who behaves in a deviant way interprets reality. b) the historical creation of deviant and normal labels. c) the economic structure of society. d) the interaction between the supposed deviant and conventional people.

d) the interaction between the supposed deviant and conventional people.

. What do phenomenologists mean by the term deviant reality? a) the nature of deviant behavior as seen by scientific sociologists b) the characteristics of deviance as shown by objectively acquired data c) the reality of deviance as defined as such by the powerful d) the subjective meaning that deviants impute to their own deviant experience

d) the subjective meaning that deviants impute to their own deviant experience

According to some sociologists, the extremely high rate of homicide in parts of the South is a striking example of a. the massive oppression of the poor. b. the power of the drug cartels. c. a deep distrust of strangers. d. a widespread culture of violence.

d. a widespread culture of violence.

Outside of the police and the military, American society's most violent institution is sports. schools. the family. the economy.

the family.