Basic Social Science (Culture, Structure, Research, Group & Deviance)

Sociology Deviance & Social Control

Social Deviance | Definition, Theories & Types

Question 1: Culturally valued goals defined as legitimate for all members of society have prescribed norms, but opportunities for achieving those goals are limited. What theory explains this situation?

Answer: Structural Strain Theory

Question 2: What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

Answer: This is a registration prompt for the quiz participant and does not have a sociological answer.

Question 3: What term is used for violations of social norms that offend a large number of people or individuals in positions to influence social judgment?

Answer: Deviance

Question 4: What are the institutionalized and codified public mechanisms used to enforce society’s norms and values?

Answer: Formal Social Control

Question 5: What term describes people who have not broken any rules but are treated as if they have?

Answer: Falsely Accused

Question 6: What is the extent to which different parts of a culture fit together and support one another called?

Answer: Cultural Integration

Question 7: What term refers to any and all efforts aimed at preventing and correcting deviant behavior?

Answer: Social Control

Question 8: What are people called who make it their business to ensure that offenses are recognized and offenders are treated accordingly?

Answer: Moral Entrepreneurs

Question 9: What term describes behavior and appearances that follow and maintain the standards of a group?

Answer: Conformity

Question 10: What are the subtle and unofficial pressures that encourage individuals to conform to society’s norms and values?

Answer: Informal Social Control

Question 11: According to the interactionist perspective, which theory explains that deviance is defined by society or specific groups within society?

Answer: Labeling Theory

Question 12: What term refers to a condition of normlessness or the breakdown of accepted social rules within a society?

Answer: Anomie Theory

Question 13: What concept refers to rationalizing or making excuses for deviant behavior in ways that reduce feelings of guilt and deflect social disapproval?

Answer: Neutralization

Question 14: Which theory states that deviant behavior is learned through exposure to deviant values or situations that reward criminal or deviant actions?

Answer: Differential Association Theory

Question 15: What term is used for people who have broken rules, but whose violations go unnoticed, or if noticed, no one reacts to enforce the law or social norms?

Answer: Secret Deviant

Question 16: Which concept suggests that deviance occurs as a result of opportunities available for engaging in deviant behavior?

Answer: Availability of Illegitimate Opportunities

Question 17: Which theory argues that deviance is most likely to occur when the bond between an individual and society is weak or absent?

Answer: Control Theory

Question 18: What term describes people who have broken rules, but whose violations remain unnoticed or are ignored even when observed?

Answer: Secret Deviant

Basic Social Science

Question 1: What is the best definition of deviance in sociology?

Answer: B) Deviance is a violation of established cultural or social norms.

Question 2: According to Emile Durkheim, what role does deviance serve in society?

Answer: A) Deviance is a necessary part of society that helps challenge existing norms and promotes social change.

Question 3: Robert Merton’s strain theory includes all of the following except:

Answer: D) Invention involves creating new social institutions to meet goals.

Question 4: Social control primarily functions to:

Answer: D) Regulate and enforce social norms in order to maintain social order and stability.

Question 5: Which is an example of a formal sanction?

Answer: A) A court issuing a fine for breaking the law.

Question 6: According to labeling theory, what is secondary deviance?

Answer: D) When a person’s self-image changes after being labeled as deviant and they begin acting accordingly.

Question 7: What does differential association theory propose about deviance?

Answer: B) Deviant behavior is learned through close social relationships that encourage and model such behavior.

Question 8: Which of the following describes a primary group?

Answer: B) A small, informal group characterized by close, personal, and long-term relationships.

Question 9: What is an out-group in sociology?

Answer: D) A group to which an individual does not belong and may feel excluded from or different from.

Question 10: Which leadership style involves encouraging group participation and consensus?

Answer: B) Democratic leadership style.

Question 11: According to control theory, what does social attachment refer to?

Answer: A) Strong connections with others and concern for their opinions, which help reduce deviant behavior.

Question 12: Which of the following best describes a bureaucracy?

Answer: D) A formal organization characterized by hierarchy, division of labor, rules, and impersonality.

Question 13: What is the meaning of ethnocentrism?

Answer: A) Judging other cultures according to the standards and values of one’s own culture.

Question 14: What is cultural relativism?

Answer: C) Evaluating a culture according to its own values, beliefs, and standards.

Question 15: In sociology, what is meant by a reference group?

Answer: B) A group that individuals use as a standard for evaluating their own behavior, beliefs, or attitudes.

Question 16: Which sociological perspective views social institutions like organs working together for societal stability?

Answer: A) Functionalism views society as a system of interconnected parts working together to maintain stability and order.

Question 17: Which type of crime is typically committed by white-collar workers in a business environment?

Answer: C) Corporate crime is committed by professionals or organizations within business settings.

Question 18: What is the sociological imagination?

Answer: A) The ability to understand how personal experiences are influenced by broader social structures and historical forces.

Question 19: Which of the following is a characteristic of total institutions?

Answer: C) Individuals live under a highly controlled environment designed to achieve total resocialization.

Question 20: What does a self-report study in crime statistics involve?

Answer: D) Collecting information through voluntary responses about individuals’ own criminal or deviant behavior.

Question 21: Which of the following describes the iron rule of oligarchy?

Answer: A) Organizations tend to become dominated by a small group of powerful leaders rather than remaining fully democratic.

Question 22: What is the main focus of an instrumental leader?

Answer: B) Being task-oriented and focused on achieving goals and completing objectives.

Question 23: Which of the following best defines social institutions?

Answer: B) Organized systems of social behavior and relationships that fulfill important societal functions.

Question 24: According to feminist and critical race expansions of conflict theory, what is a key focus?

Answer: C) Examining inequalities and power imbalances related to gender, race, and social structures.

Question 25: What does the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggest about culture?

Answer: A) People’s perception and understanding of the world are influenced by the language they speak.

Sociology Deviance & Social Control 

Question 1: Name five acts that were once considered deviant but are now widely accepted?
Answer: Interracial Marriage, Whistleblowing, Women in the Workforce, Tattoos, and Environmental Activism.

Question 2: What is Moral Deviance?
Answer: Committing a deviant act for moral reasons when laws conflict with human rights.

Question 3: Give an example of Moral Deviance.
Answer: Exposing toxic waste dumping by breaking a corporate non-disclosure agreement.

Question 4: What is Labeling Theory?
Answer: No act is inherently deviant; society makes it deviant by applying a negative label.

Question 5: How does social class affect labeling?
Answer: Wealthy individuals often avoid negative labels because of social status and influence.

Question 6: Which groups are more likely to be labeled as criminals?
Answer: Working-class individuals, males, and minority groups.

Question 7: Which theory best explains cheating among college students?
Answer: Strain Theory.

Question 8: Why does Strain Theory explain cheating?
Answer: Students face pressure to succeed but may lack equal opportunities and resources.

Question 9: What is Innovation according to Strain Theory?
Answer: Using illegitimate means, such as cheating, to achieve socially approved goals.

Question 10: What does Rational Choice Theory say about cheating?
Answer: Students cheat when the benefits outweigh the risks.

Question 11: What is Occupational Crime?
Answer: Crime committed in a professional or business setting.

Question 12: Give examples of Occupational Crime.
Answer: Wage theft, environmental pollution, and embezzlement.

Question 13: Why are white-collar crimes often overlooked?
Answer: They are complex, less visible, and offenders often have social and political influence.

Question 14: What policy solution is suggested for corporate crime?
Answer: Mandatory prison sentences for corporate executives.

Question 15: What does Conflict Theory say about the prison system?
Answer: It is used by the ruling class to control the poor and protect elite interests.

Question 16: Why do conflict theorists criticize prisons?
Answer: Poor people are imprisoned more often, while corporate criminals rarely go to jail.

Question 17: What is Social Capital?
Answer: A network of relationships, trust, and community support.

Question 18: How does Social Capital help prevent crime?
Answer: It provides jobs, housing, support, and encourages conformity to social norms.

Question 19: How does Social Capital reduce recidivism?
Answer: Supportive relationships help former offenders avoid returning to crime.

Question 20: What is meant by a “stake in conformity”?
Answer: Having social ties and opportunities that encourage lawful behavior.

Social Structure in Sociology

Question 1: What is an example of criminal deviance?
Answer: Driving on the wrong side of the road.

Question 2: What is deviance?
Answer: Any action that violates social or cultural norms.

Question 3: What does Durkheim say about deviance?
Answer: Deviance is a normal and necessary part of society.

Question 4: Which function does deviance NOT serve according to Durkheim?
Answer: It discourages social change.

Question 5: What is sociology?
Answer: The systematic study of society, culture, and social relationships.

Question 6: What is a social institution?
Answer: An organized system that shapes people’s lives and behavior.

Question 7: What is social mobility?
Answer: Movement up, down, or across the social hierarchy.

Question 8: What is social capital?
Answer: Networks and relationships that provide social advantages.

Question 9: What is an example of upward social mobility?
Answer: A private citizen being elected governor.

Question 10: What is the difference between deviance and criminal deviance?
Answer: Deviance violates social norms, while criminal deviance violates laws.

Question 11: What are the positive functions of deviance?
Answer: It clarifies moral boundaries, strengthens social unity, and encourages social change.

Question 12: What is Durkheim’s theory of deviance?
Answer: Deviance helps maintain social order and promote change.

Question 13: Define social mobility.
Answer: The movement of individuals or groups within a society’s social structure.

Question 14: Define social capital.
Answer: The relationships and connections that provide opportunities and support.

Question 15: What is cultural capital?
Answer: Knowledge, skills, education, and cultural advantages that help achieve social success.

Question 16: What is the difference between social capital and cultural capital?
Answer: Social capital is based on relationships, while cultural capital is based on knowledge and skills.

Question 17: Name some major social institutions.
Answer: Family, Education, Religion, Economy, and Government.

Question 18: Why are social institutions important?
Answer: They organize society and guide human behavior.

Question 19: What is upward social mobility?
Answer: Moving to a higher social or economic position.

Question 20: What is downward social mobility?
Answer: Moving to a lower social or economic position.

Question 21: What is horizontal social mobility?
Answer: Changing position without changing social status.

Question 22: Who introduced the functionalist view of deviance?
Answer: Emile Durkheim.

Question 23: What is the main focus of sociology?
Answer: Studying human behavior in groups and societies.

Question 24: How does social capital help individuals?
Answer: It provides support, information, and opportunities.

Question 25: Give an example of a social institution.
Answer: Family.