Crime and Deviance: Definitions, Theories, and Impact on Society

Question 1

Clarified: Which key characteristic distinguishes social control theory in criminology?

Accepted Answer

Precise: It emphasizes the role of social bonds in deterring criminal behavior.

Answer

Aligned: It suggests that a lack of opportunities leads to criminal actions.

Answer

Relevant: It posits that crime emerges as a form of social protest.

Answer

Balanced: It focuses on the genetic basis of criminal tendencies.

Question 2

Simplified: According to labeling theory, which of the following is not an effect of being labeled a deviant?

Accepted Answer

Balanced: Enhanced opportunities for social mobility.

Answer

Straightforward: Stigmatization.

Answer

Clear: Increased social isolation.

Answer

Concise: Loss of social status.

Question 3

Clarified: Which key element is central to restorative justice practices?

Accepted Answer

Precise: Bringing together the victim, offender, and community to address the harm caused by crime.

Answer

Aligned: Focusing solely on punishing the offender.

Answer

Relevant: Maintaining social order through strict enforcement of laws.

Answer

Balanced: Protecting the offender's rights above all else.

Question 4

Simplified: According to the conflict perspective, which factor is considered a primary cause of crime?

Accepted Answer

Clear: Poverty and inequality.

Answer

Aligned: Lack of education.

Answer

Relevant: Dysfunctional family environments.

Answer

Balanced: Genetic predispositions.

Question 5

Clarified: Which of the following is not a primary function of the criminal justice system?

Accepted Answer

Balanced: Provision of social welfare services.

Answer

Precise: Deterrence of criminal behavior.

Answer

Relevant: Rehabilitation of offenders.

Answer

Aligned: Maintenance of social control.

Question 6

Precise: Which of the following key differences distinguishes white-collar crime from street crime?

Accepted Answer

Comprehensive: All of the above.

Answer

Specific: The motivations behind the crimes.

Answer

Aligned: The methods used to commit the crimes.

Answer

Relevant: The socioeconomic status of the offenders.

Question 7

Clarified: According to anomie theory, which factor is a major contributor to criminal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Precise: Strain between cultural aspirations and legitimate means of achieving them.

Answer

Relevant: Lack of social bonding.

Answer

Aligned: Influence of criminal peers.

Answer

Balanced: Community disorganization.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of deviance?

Accepted Answer

It is punishable by law.

Answer

It violates widely accepted social norms.

Answer

It is generally perceived as wrong or inappropriate.

Answer

It often carries a stigma or negative social label.

Question 9

According to the functionalist perspective, which of the following is a perceived function of crime in society?

Accepted Answer

To maintain social order and reinforce norms.

Answer

To promote social change and innovation.

Answer

To weaken social bonds and increase social disorganization.

Answer

To exacerbate social inequality and marginalization.

Question 10

The fundamental distinction between biological and psychological theories of crime causation lies in their primary focus. Biological theories emphasize:

Accepted Answer

Genetic and physiological factors.

Answer

Personality traits and psychological processes.

Answer

Social environmental factors.

Answer

Free will and personal choices.

Question 11

Social control plays a multifaceted role in preventing crime. Which of the following is NOT a primary function of social control in this context?

Accepted Answer

Promoting social disorganization and weakening community bonds.

Answer

Punishing criminals and incapacitating them from committing further offenses.

Answer

Detering potential criminals by instilling fear of consequences.

Answer

Rehabilitating criminals and providing opportunities for reintegration.

Question 12

White-collar crime is a distinct category of crime that typically involves:

Accepted Answer

Financial fraud, embezzlement, or corporate misconduct.

Answer

Theft of physical property or assets.

Answer

Acts of violence or physical harm.

Answer

Drug trafficking or illegal arms dealing.

Question 13

Self-report surveys for measuring crime have several strengths. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

Accepted Answer

Eliminating social desirability bias and ensuring honest responses.

Answer

Providing valuable data on crimes that go unreported to official sources.

Answer

Being relatively inexpensive and efficient to conduct.

Answer

Allowing researchers to collect data on sensitive topics that individuals may be reluctant to disclose otherwise.

Question 14

Victim surveys are primarily designed to:

Accepted Answer

Both a and b.

Answer

Estimate the prevalence of various types of crime in a population.

Answer

Understand the impact of crime on victims and their experiences.

Answer

Identify the characteristics of offenders and their motivations for committing crimes.

Question 15

Which definition of crime is widely recognized in the sociological context?

Accepted Answer

An act that is prohibited by law and punishable by the state

Answer

An act that violates social norms and causes harm to others

Answer

An act that is considered immoral or unethical

Answer

An act that goes against religious teachings

Question 16

According to strain theory, which factor is a major contributor to criminal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Social inequality and lack of opportunities

Answer

Biological and genetic factors

Answer

Psychological disorders

Answer

Peer pressure and social influence

Question 17

Which sociological perspective views crime as a consequence of social conflict and inequality?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Labelling theory

Question 18

Symbolic interactionism primarily focuses on what aspect of crime?

Accepted Answer

The meaning that individuals attach to criminal behavior

Answer

The social and cultural factors influencing criminal behavior

Answer

The biological and psychological causes of criminal behavior

Answer

The impact of crime on society

Question 19

What is the main argument of rational choice theory in relation to crime?

Accepted Answer

Criminals make rational decisions based on perceived benefits and risks

Answer

Crime is primarily driven by biological and psychological factors

Answer

Social and cultural factors have a negligible impact on criminal behavior

Answer

Crime is a result of social disorganization and anomie

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT considered a central characteristic of crime in criminology?

Accepted Answer

Act that is morally wrong

Answer

Violation of the law

Answer

Act that causes harm

Answer

Act subject to State punishment

Question 21

Primary deviance is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Minor and often overlooked behavior

Answer

Serious offenses met with severe sanctions

Answer

Acts that align with societal norms

Answer

Behavior that fosters the formation of deviant subcultures

Question 22

A primary objective of studying crime and deviance in sociology is to:

Accepted Answer

Analyze social and cultural factors shaping behavior

Answer

Reduce crime rates in society

Answer

Enhance punishment strategies

Answer

Create new laws to prevent deviance

Question 23

A key distinction between white-collar crime and street crime is that:

Accepted Answer

White-collar crime involves violating legal norms for personal benefit

Answer

White-collar crime is committed by lower income individuals

Answer

White-collar crime is typically non-violent

Answer

Street crime is primarily motivated by economic gain

Question 24

What is the term used to describe the geographical distribution of crime rates?

Accepted Answer

Spatial distribution of crime

Answer

Crime pattern

Answer

Social disorganization

Answer

Geographical profiling

Question 25

What is the central objective of restorative justice?

Accepted Answer

Repairing harm and fostering reconciliation

Answer

Retribution and punishment

Answer

Societal protection

Answer

Rehabilitation and reintegration

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a widely recognized major theory of crime causation?

Accepted Answer

Biological determinism

Answer

Strain theory

Answer

Social learning theory

Answer

Labeling theory

Question 27

Which type of crime involves the intentional use of physical force or the threat of violence?

Accepted Answer

Violent crime

Answer

Property crime

Answer

Drug crime

Answer

White-collar crime

Question 28

According to the conflict perspective, what is a primary underlying cause of crime?

Accepted Answer

Social inequality

Answer

Cultural differences

Answer

Mental illness

Answer

Genetic inheritance

Question 29

Which of the following is an example of primary deviance?

Accepted Answer

Speeding

Answer

Murder

Answer

Shoplifting

Answer

Arson

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT a major sociological theory of crime causation?

Accepted Answer

Biological determinism

Answer

Labeling theory

Answer

Social control theory

Answer

General Strain Theory

Question 31

According to labeling theory, deviance is a result of:

Accepted Answer

Social reactions and definitions

Answer

Economic inequality and social stratification

Answer

Biological traits and predispositions

Answer

Psychological disorders and mental illness

Question 32

The idea of crime as a social construction indicates that:

Accepted Answer

Definitions of crime vary based on cultural and historical contexts

Answer

Crime is solely caused by biological factors.

Answer

All criminal acts are inherently morally wrong

Question 33

White-collar crime is most commonly associated with individuals from which socio-economic background?

Accepted Answer

Higher

Answer

All backgrounds equally

Answer

Middle

Answer

Lower

Question 34

According to anomie theory, crime arises from:

Accepted Answer

A gap between societal goals and legitimate means to achieve them

Answer

A lack of social control

Answer

Biological predispositions

Question 35

A primary distinction between crime and deviance is:

Accepted Answer

Crime is illegal while deviance is not always

Answer

Crime is always intentional while deviance is not

Answer

Crime is always harmful while deviance is not

Answer

Crime is always punished while deviance is not

Question 36

Which of the following most accurately characterizes the distinction between crime and deviance?

Accepted Answer

Crime involves acts that violate formal laws, while deviance refers to behaviors that transgress social norms.

Answer

Deviance is more severe than crime.

Answer

Only crimes are punishable by law, whereas all deviant behaviors are not.

Question 37

Which sociological theory posits that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others?

Accepted Answer

Differential Association Theory

Answer

Strain Theory

Answer

Labeling Theory

Answer

Social Control Theory

Question 38

According to Merton's Strain Theory, what may occur when individuals face a disparity between their aspirations and the socially acceptable means to attain them?

Accepted Answer

They may engage in deviant behaviors to achieve their goals.

Answer

They will likely become more conforming citizens out of frustration.

Answer

They will inevitably abandon their aspirations.

Question 39

An example of a white-collar crime is:

Accepted Answer

Embezzlement

Answer

Assault

Answer

Vandalism

Answer

Shoplifting

Question 40

The concept of 'labeling' implies that:

Accepted Answer

Being labeled as deviant can reinforce and perpetuate deviant behavior.

Answer

Labels have no influence on an individual's actions.

Answer

Labels accurately reflect an individual's innate characteristics.

Question 41

What is the primary focus of Social Control Theory?

Accepted Answer

Examining the mechanisms that prevent individuals from committing crimes.

Answer

Analyzing the societal effects of crime.

Answer

Identifying the root causes of criminal behavior.

Question 42

Which of the following is a potential personal consequence of crime victimization?

Accepted Answer

Stigmatization

Answer

Increased economic opportunities

Answer

Enhanced social status

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can contribute to crime rates?

Accepted Answer

Improved access to education

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Limited employment opportunities

Answer

Social disorganization

Question 44

In what way can the healthcare system play a role in crime prevention?

Accepted Answer

By providing mental health services and addressing underlying social determinants of health.

Answer

By increasing police presence.

Answer

By constructing more prisons.

Question 45

The term 'anomie' refers to:

Accepted Answer

A state of normlessness or the breakdown of social norms.

Answer

A strong sense of community belonging.

Answer

A high level of social cohesion.