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

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

Based on the evidence in the text, the death penalty is an effective crime deterrent.

Compare and contrast primary and secondary deviance. Provide examples.

The forms of deviance in which formal penalties are imposed by society are ______.

Bloggers in Iran have been sentenced to death after their online writings displeased the government. This is an example of the anomie theory of deviance.

Organized crime is more prevalent among ______.

According to Merton, ritualism involves the use of illicit means to reach approved goals.

Discuss the four factors that control theory predicts bond people to society.

Most sociologists argue that the privatization of prisons is a bad idea.

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

Which of the following is an example of a consensus crime?

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?

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?

How does primary deviance differ from secondary deviance?

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

In the summer of 2010, a deep-water 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 that 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?

Consider the statement, "People learn to conform or deviate from the individuals they spend time with." With which theory does this statement best fit?

Elizabeth argued that one reason women are abused by their husbands is because their unpaid labor is undervalued in society. Which perspective is Elizabeth most likely using?

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

Discuss what constitutes a hate crime. According to the most recent statistics, what is the primary motivation for hate crimes? Give an example of a hate crime.