Deck 8: Labeling Theory

Question 1

Which theoretical orientation examines the social meaning of deviancy through labels and how people are understood and defined through such stereotypes?

A) Conflict theories
B) Anomie/strain theories
C) Labeling theories
D) Learning theories

Answer 1

C

Question 2

According to the labeling theorists, ______ is what defines an act as deviant.

A) the intent to violate norms
B) how people react
C) the legal response
D) people violating norms

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Symbolic interactionism is considered a micro-level perspective because it is focused on ______.

A) psychology
B) the big picture
C) individuals
D) global analysis

Answer 3

C

Question 4

______ deviance is when common violations of the norms occur and the identity of a deviant is not developed.

A) Secondary
B) Primary
C) Structural
D) Non-identity

Question 5

______ deviance is when deviant behavior occurs as a means of defense, attack, or adjustment to the problems caused by a label and reactions to labels already developed.

A) Secondary
B) Primary
C) Structural
D) Non-identity

Question 6

A ______ status refers to the status that shapes perception and behaviors of those around you and is considered the most important status.

A) primary
B) master
C) ruling
D) finite

Question 7

William Chambliss (1973) studied the ______ to understand how labeling was influenced by social class.

A) Angels and Demons
B) Jocks and Druggies
C) Saints and the Roughnecks
D) Preps and Delinquents

Question 8

______ rule-breaking is a form of primary deviance.

A) Symbolic
B) Structural
C) Normative
D) Residual

Question 9

The main idea of ______ involves acknowledging an individual is basically good and can be reformed, though they have committed a bad deed.

A) reintegrative shaming
B) stigmatization
C) residual shaming
D) interpretive shaming

Question 10

Xu is late to sociology class the first day. As a result, the professor decides Xu is a terrible student and treats her accordingly. Which part of this is an example of primary deviance?

A) Xu being a terrible student
B) Xu being late to class on the first day
C) the professor deciding Xu is a terrible student
D) the professor treating Xu like a terrible student

Question 11

Which statement summarizes the self-fulfilling prophecy of Labeling Theory?

A) I violated no norms, but everyone assumes I am deviant anyway.
B) I was deviant all day, but I only got caught once.
C) I broke all the rules, but nobody noticed.
D) I was called deviant, so I became deviant.

Question 12

Ben is with his friends when they are caught shoplifting. He did not shoplift, but his parents react as if he had-they ground him, take away his phone, and assign him extra chores. As a result, Ben sneaks out of his house at night, deciding that if his parents want to treat him like a delinquent, he will act like a delinquent. What part of this is an example of secondary deviance?

A) Ben's friend being caught shoplifting.
B) Ben choosing not to shoplift.
C) Ben's parents grounding him.
D) Ben sneaking out at night.

Question 13

What question is NOT addressed by Labeling Theory?

A) who decides who is labeled deviant
B) why someone commits a deviant act
C) who is to be labeled deviant
D) under what circumstances is someone deviant

Question 14

How does primary deviance relate to engulfment in the deviant social role?

A) With primary deviance, there is no engulfment in a deviant social role.
B) Engulfment in a deviant social role creates primary deviance.
C) Primary deviance ends engulfment in a deviant social role.
D) Engulfment in a deviant social role precedes primary deviance.

Question 15

What was the main conclusion of the study conducted by Rosenhan on labeling and mental illness, in which he recruited eight sane citizens to act as "pseudopatients" and simulate symptoms of psychosis?

A) Residual rule breaking is often harmless.
B) Everyone has a diagnosable mental illness.
C) The truly insane cannot be cured.
D) It can be difficult to distinguish insanity from sanity.

Question 16

In Crime, Shame and Reintegration, John Braithwaite (1989) argues that societies will generally have lower crime rates if they can effectively ______.

A) stigmatize the worst offenders
B) communicate shame about crime
C) control minor deviance
D) prevent residual rule breaking

Question 17

Which of the following is typically involved in restorative justice?

A) community alternatives for youth
B) educating the community on the harm done by delinquency
C) bringing the victims, offenders, and community members together
D) decriminalizing status offenses

Question 18

Which statement summarizes the concept of a "looking-glass self?"

A) How I think you see me influences how I see myself.
B) How I see you influences how you see me.
C) How you see me determines how I act.
D) How I want you to see me determines how you see me.

Question 19

A master status is easily changed.

Question 20

Symbolic interactionism is a relativist perspective.

Question 21

Labeling theorists would argue that you can be labeled deviant even if you have not actually broken any rules.

Question 22

An example of residual rule breaking could include a young female who begins to participate in witchcraft, despite her family practicing Christianity.

Question 23

Radical nonintervention essentially means "leave the kids alone wherever possible."

Question 24

Individuals with less power in the relationship will be better able to both reject a label or to impose a deviant label on another.

Question 25

The sex offender registry is a practical application of reintegrative shaming.

Question 26

Scheff (1966) laid out a theory of labeling and mental illness that suggests most mental illness begins with residual rule breaking.

Question 27

According to theorists, labeling someone deviant is likely to reduce future acts of deviance or crime.

Question 28

Matsueda found that youths' reflected appraisals of themselves were not strongly influenced by their parents' appraisals of them.

Question 29

Imagine you were officially labeled deviant in junior high school. How do you think this would have affected your life and your opportunities? Would you parents, teachers, and peers have treated you differently? Where do you think you would be now if you had been labeled delinquent?

Question 30

Using ideas associated with Labeling Theory, develop a detailed opinion on whether men or women are more likely to be labeled deviant.

Question 31

How might someone following the principles of reintegrative shaming react to someone using illegal narcotics?

Question 32

Apply the labeling perspective to a piece of popular culture, such as a film or book, or to an example used in class.