Exam 6: Deviance and Social Control: Sickos, Freaks, and Folks Like Us

Kina is a 17-year-old woman. To discourage her from becoming deviant, her parents encouraged her to attend church, study hard, and believe that "nice girls finish first." Kina's parents are also sociologists. Kina's parents most likely subscribe to which theory of deviance?

Most sociologists believe that deviants purposely and knowingly break the law.

List and briefly discuss at least two of the alternative programs mentioned in the text that keep individuals out of jail and prisons.

A belief that becomes a reality constitutes:

Conflict theorists argue that the greater the inequality in society, the more conflict will exist.

Yesterday, for the first time ever, Carson smoked marijuana. According to labeling theory, Carson committed:

Which theoretical perspective argues that deviance will always exist unless the current structure of society is changed dramatically?

How does primary deviance differ from secondary deviance?

Liz (aka Elizabeth) works at the dean's office. She works harder than her supervisor (who is paid more and enjoys coffee breaks when she and her coworkers share stories about how little they are paid and how they deserve more). One day, Liz steals 15 ink cartridges to use in her home printer. Liz has committed a(n):

Anomie and strain are associated with the:

Labeling theory is related to the structural-functional perspective.

Compare and contrast primary and secondary deviance. Provide examples.

Casey could not believe that her friends were continuing on to college after high school. She found it much more important to try to overthrow the current government, and she planned to chain herself to the capital building and stage a hunger strike until her demands were met. Merton would argue that Casey was coping with strain through:

Do you believe the current criminal justice system is effective? What evidence do you have to support your conclusion? If you were asked to reform the current system, how would you reform it and why would you choose that means of reform?

The Internet is easy to police because all legal authorities have clearly delineated jurisdiction over it.

In the summer of 2010, a deepwater oil rig suffered a major malfunction and began to spew thousands of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The oil spill devastated the Gulf's economy, killing wildlife, covering beaches with oil and sludge, and making fishing in the waters hazardous. Investigators discovered that there was possible negligence on behalf of the oil company who owned the rig. What type of crime was this? As a sociologist, what kind of policy changes (at the micro, meso, and macro levels) would you suggest in order to prevent this crime from happening again? Which sociological theories support your suggestions?

Hate crimes are generally planned well in advance and are extremely violent.

Which of the following sources of information are based on police reports?

According to the text, what role does stigma play in the behavior of people in Japan?

List and briefly discuss the two primary factors presented in the text that shape our tendency to conform. Provide an example of each.