Deck 21: The Saints and the Roughnecks

Question 1

Chambliss's study of the Saints and Roughnecks shows

A) males, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, are more likely to engage in serious forms of delinquency than are females.
B) how being in the "wrong place at the wrong time" can result in some groups being labeled deviant while others are seen as legitimate.
C) how the power of social class facilitates labeling some groups as deviant and others as legitimate even though behavior of both is similar.
D) the power of schools and the police to reinforce positive values and social bonds for some groups of students, thereby preventing delinquency.

Answer 1

how the power of social class facilitates labeling some groups as deviant and others as legitimate even though behavior of both is similar.

Question 2

Among daily concerns of the Saints during the week Monday to Friday was

A) attempting to acquire illegal drugs and occasional alcohol.
B) arranging dates with the popular girls after school.
C) maintaining good grades to ensure school privileges.
D) getting out of school as early as possible to hang out in the pool hall or cafe.

Answer 2

getting out of school as early as possible to hang out in the pool hall or cafe.

Question 3

On weekends the Saints

A) generally visited Big Town to drink alcohol, get drunk, and recklessly drive around town while committing various mischief pranks.
B) sought out opportunities for acts of aggression and violence against their enemies, the Roughnecks.
C) studied and completed homework they had missed during the week.
D) visited their girlfriends, went golfing and attended somewhat boring parties.

Answer 3

generally visited Big Town to drink alcohol, get drunk, and recklessly drive around town while committing various mischief pranks.

Question 4

In school the Saints

A) drank alcohol, sought the company of girls, on occasion were disruptive and even engaged in fights with the Roughnecks to protect their "turf."
B) were seen as troublemakers by some teachers and students who knew about their delinquent acts but as saints by others.
C) worked very hard and sincerely-honestly for good grades in order to conceal their delinquent acts.
D) enjoyed a good reputation among teachers and popularity among fellow students, receiving good grades while engaging in truancy and cheating.

Question 5

All of the following are true about the Roughnecks EXCEPT

A) the community had a distorted view of them: in some ways they were more delinquent and in other ways less delinquent than the community thought.
B) the community was fully aware of the entire group's delinquent activities: fighting, theft and drinking.
C) there was a high level of distrust and dislike between the police and the group.
D) teachers viewed them as troublemakers and on occasion they got into conflicts with teachers.

Question 6

Different community and school perceptions and treatment of the Saints and the Roughnecks are due to all of the following EXCEPT

A) visibility: the Saints' economic resources enabled them to commit their deviant acts away from center their hometown and community unlike the Roughnecks.
B) political correctness: the Saints unlike the Roughnecks were politically more conservative, voted in elections and discussed current political issues.
C) demeanor: the Saints unlike the Roughnecks responded to authorities with politeness, appearing apologetic and penitent when accused of wrongdoing.
D) bias: community tended to excuse Saints but not Roughnecks for deviant acts.

Question 7

Did the adult careers of the Saints and the Roughnecks seem to justify the community's view of their different potential?

A) yes, most Saints went to college and graduated, and while two Roughnecks graduated from college, most did not, and two went to prison.
B) no, because four Saints did not attend college and most Roughnecks served time in prison.
C) yes, because all of the Saints went to college and none of the Roughnecks did.
D) no, because four Roughnecks graduated from college and none went to prison.

Question 8

Chambliss notes a consequence of the community's response to the Roughnecks as boys in trouble

A) no effect because it the boys' delinquent acts were bound to come to the attention of the police and discredit the boys eventually.
B) the boys agreed with the community label but because they did not care about the community or its labels had no effect on their behavior.
C) the boys resisted the community label and never allowed the label to define their self-image nor become a part of their self-concept.
D) the boys agreed with the community label, reinforcing their pattern of delinquency with their self-concept as delinquents becoming entrenched.

Question 9

Discuss how and why the Saints, in spite of engaging in significant delinquent acts, were not seen as delinquent by the police and community? Explain fully.

Question 10

Discuss what might be called the self-fulfilling prophecy or the reinforcement of delinquent patterns of behavior among the Roughnecks. Do you think Chambliss makes a good point here? Why or why not?

Question 11

Compare and contrast members of the Saints and the Roughnecks in terms of their visibility and demeanor in school, the community and with the police. Give specific examples.