Exam 5: Deviance and Crime

What happened to Canadian crime rates in the 1960s and 1970s?

Choose an example of a behaviour that is no longer sanctioned but that once was. Using this example, describe what sociologists mean when they claim that deviance is socially relative.

Although white-collar crime costs society more than street crime, white-collar criminals are infrequently prosecuted or convicted.

Explain the role of public perception and the role of crime reporting in the tracking of crime and the mobilization of resources to fight crime.

Formal punishment is imposed on people who do which of the following?

The main source of data on crime in Canada is collected through the agencies of the federal government.

Select any criminal case of white-collar crime that is high-profile and controversial in Canada. Explain how justice has been "derailed" or "steered" in the case.

Glynnis watches Scott dump a day's worth of tree seedlings straight into a ravine instead of planting them. The company that employs Glynnis and Scott has a strict policy about this action, which is viewed as theft, so Glynnis tells the supervisor what she witnessed. Scott is immediately fired and sent home. Which of the following did Scott receive?

Explain the reasons why "getting tough on crime" appears to do little to lower the crime rate.

Which of the following groups of Canadian youth form the largest percentage of gang members?

Willie is from a poor home and dreams of becoming a doctor. He wins a full scholarship and is able to afford university; he graduates at the top of his class. In strain theory terms, what is Willie?

What alternative model to crime and punishment emphasizes individual and social healing, communication, and joint problem-solving between victims and their offenders?

Define and provide examples of the medicalization of deviance.

John's father is a drug user and a drug dealer. Because of John's exposure to his father's using and dealing behaviours, John has come to see these behaviours as normal. Which of the following theories best explains John's attitude toward deviant behaviour?

Explain the role of power in the social construction of crime and deviance. Use the trends of crimes against women to illustrate the relationship between power and deviance.

According to conflict theories, which of the following groups of people benefits the most from the way crime is generally defined by society?

In the early 1900s, even though Coca-Cola contained a derivative of cocaine it was perfectly legal and quickly became a very popular beverage. Why is cocaine now an illegal drug?

Which of the following types of crimes is least likely to be reported to the police?

There is public debate about whether smoking marijuana should be considered a crime. Some advocates claim it may have therapeutic value in treating cancer or pain associated with cancer, while others consider using marijuana immoral. This highlights which dimension of the nature of deviance and crime?

Critique control theorist Hirschi's argument that adolescents are incompletely socialized and are therefore more likely to become deviant. Investigate the relationship of such premises with the structure of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.