Psychological Theories of Deviance and Crime

Description: This quiz will test your understanding of the psychological theories of deviance and crime.
Number of Questions: 16
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Tags: deviance crime psychology
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According to the labeling theory, deviance is:

  1. A behavior that violates social norms.

  2. A behavior that is harmful to society.

  3. A behavior that is punished by the law.

  4. A behavior that is considered to be abnormal or undesirable.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The labeling theory states that deviance is not inherent in any behavior, but rather is created when society labels certain behaviors as deviant.

The social control theory of deviance argues that:

  1. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have weak social bonds.

  2. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they are exposed to negative role models.

  3. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have a history of being punished for deviant behavior.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The social control theory of deviance argues that people are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have weak social bonds, are exposed to negative role models, and have a history of being punished for deviant behavior.

The differential association theory of deviance argues that:

  1. People learn to engage in deviant behavior through their interactions with others.

  2. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they are exposed to positive role models.

  3. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have a history of being rewarded for deviant behavior.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The differential association theory of deviance argues that people learn to engage in deviant behavior through their interactions with others, particularly those who are engaged in deviant behavior themselves.

The strain theory of deviance argues that:

  1. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they experience strain or frustration.

  2. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have a history of being victimized.

  3. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have a mental illness.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The strain theory of deviance argues that people are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they experience strain or frustration, such as economic hardship, discrimination, or family problems.

The social learning theory of deviance argues that:

  1. People learn to engage in deviant behavior through observation and imitation.

  2. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they are exposed to positive role models.

  3. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have a history of being rewarded for deviant behavior.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The social learning theory of deviance argues that people learn to engage in deviant behavior through observation and imitation of others, particularly those who are engaged in deviant behavior themselves.

The control theory of deviance argues that:

  1. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have weak self-control.

  2. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they are exposed to negative role models.

  3. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have a history of being punished for deviant behavior.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The control theory of deviance argues that people are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have weak self-control, which is the ability to resist temptation and to conform to social norms.

The rational choice theory of deviance argues that:

  1. People engage in deviant behavior because they believe that the benefits of the behavior outweigh the costs.

  2. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have a history of being rewarded for deviant behavior.

  3. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have a mental illness.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The rational choice theory of deviance argues that people engage in deviant behavior because they believe that the benefits of the behavior outweigh the costs, such as the pleasure of the behavior, the financial gain, or the social status.

The biosocial theory of deviance argues that:

  1. Deviance is caused by a combination of biological and social factors.

  2. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have a history of being victimized.

  3. People are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have a mental illness.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The biosocial theory of deviance argues that deviance is caused by a combination of biological and social factors, such as genetics, personality traits, and social environment.

The labeling theory of deviance was developed by:

  1. Edwin Sutherland

  2. Robert K. Merton

  3. Howard S. Becker

  4. Travis Hirschi


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The labeling theory of deviance was developed by Howard S. Becker, who argued that deviance is not inherent in any behavior, but rather is created when society labels certain behaviors as deviant.

The social control theory of deviance was developed by:

  1. Edwin Sutherland

  2. Robert K. Merton

  3. Travis Hirschi

  4. Albert Bandura


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The social control theory of deviance was developed by Travis Hirschi, who argued that people are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have weak social bonds.

The differential association theory of deviance was developed by:

  1. Edwin Sutherland

  2. Robert K. Merton

  3. Travis Hirschi

  4. Albert Bandura


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The differential association theory of deviance was developed by Edwin Sutherland, who argued that people learn to engage in deviant behavior through their interactions with others.

The strain theory of deviance was developed by:

  1. Edwin Sutherland

  2. Robert K. Merton

  3. Travis Hirschi

  4. Albert Bandura


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The strain theory of deviance was developed by Robert K. Merton, who argued that people are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they experience strain or frustration.

The social learning theory of deviance was developed by:

  1. Edwin Sutherland

  2. Robert K. Merton

  3. Travis Hirschi

  4. Albert Bandura


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The social learning theory of deviance was developed by Albert Bandura, who argued that people learn to engage in deviant behavior through observation and imitation of others.

The control theory of deviance was developed by:

  1. Edwin Sutherland

  2. Robert K. Merton

  3. Travis Hirschi

  4. Albert Bandura


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The control theory of deviance was developed by Travis Hirschi, who argued that people are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they have weak self-control.

The rational choice theory of deviance was developed by:

  1. Edwin Sutherland

  2. Robert K. Merton

  3. Travis Hirschi

  4. Gary S. Becker


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The rational choice theory of deviance was developed by Gary S. Becker, who argued that people engage in deviant behavior because they believe that the benefits of the behavior outweigh the costs.

The biosocial theory of deviance was developed by:

  1. Edwin Sutherland

  2. Robert K. Merton

  3. Travis Hirschi

  4. Richard J. Herrnstein and James Q. Wilson


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The biosocial theory of deviance was developed by Richard J. Herrnstein and James Q. Wilson, who argued that deviance is caused by a combination of biological and social factors.

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