Deviance

Description: This quiz will assess your understanding of the concept of deviance in sociology.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: sociology deviance social norms social control
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What is the sociological definition of deviance?

  1. Behavior that violates social norms.

  2. Behavior that is considered immoral or unethical.

  3. Behavior that is harmful to society.

  4. Behavior that is considered strange or unusual.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Deviance is defined as behavior that violates social norms, which are the unwritten rules that govern behavior in a society.

What are the two main types of deviance?

  1. Primary and secondary deviance.

  2. Formal and informal deviance.

  3. Individual and group deviance.

  4. Positive and negative deviance.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Primary deviance is a minor violation of social norms, while secondary deviance is a more serious violation that results in a negative social reaction.

What is the difference between formal and informal deviance?

  1. Formal deviance is punished by the law, while informal deviance is not.

  2. Formal deviance is considered more serious than informal deviance.

  3. Formal deviance is more common than informal deviance.

  4. Formal deviance is always intentional, while informal deviance is not.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Formal deviance is behavior that violates the law, while informal deviance is behavior that violates social norms but is not illegal.

What is the difference between individual and group deviance?

  1. Individual deviance is committed by one person, while group deviance is committed by two or more people.

  2. Individual deviance is more common than group deviance.

  3. Group deviance is more serious than individual deviance.

  4. Group deviance is always intentional, while individual deviance is not.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Individual deviance is behavior that violates social norms and is committed by one person, while group deviance is behavior that violates social norms and is committed by two or more people.

What is the difference between positive and negative deviance?

  1. Positive deviance is behavior that violates social norms in a positive way, while negative deviance is behavior that violates social norms in a negative way.

  2. Positive deviance is more common than negative deviance.

  3. Negative deviance is more serious than positive deviance.

  4. Positive deviance is always intentional, while negative deviance is not.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Positive deviance is behavior that violates social norms in a positive way, such as helping others or volunteering, while negative deviance is behavior that violates social norms in a negative way, such as stealing or hurting others.

What are some of the major theories of deviance?

  1. Strain theory, social learning theory, and labeling theory.

  2. Functionalist theory, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionist theory.

  3. Rational choice theory, routine activity theory, and social control theory.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There are many different theories of deviance, including strain theory, social learning theory, labeling theory, functionalist theory, conflict theory, symbolic interactionist theory, rational choice theory, routine activity theory, and social control theory.

What is strain theory?

  1. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the gap between people's goals and their ability to achieve them.

  2. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by social learning.

  3. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the way that people are labeled.

  4. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the structure of society.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Strain theory argues that deviance is caused by the gap between people's goals and their ability to achieve them. When people feel that they cannot achieve their goals through legitimate means, they may turn to deviance as a way of coping with their frustration.

What is social learning theory?

  1. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the gap between people's goals and their ability to achieve them.

  2. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by social learning.

  3. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the way that people are labeled.

  4. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the structure of society.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Social learning theory argues that deviance is caused by social learning. People learn to be deviant by observing the behavior of others and by being rewarded or punished for their own deviant behavior.

What is labeling theory?

  1. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the gap between people's goals and their ability to achieve them.

  2. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by social learning.

  3. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the way that people are labeled.

  4. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the structure of society.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Labeling theory argues that deviance is caused by the way that people are labeled. When people are labeled as deviant, they may start to believe that they are deviant and behave accordingly.

What is functionalist theory?

  1. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the gap between people's goals and their ability to achieve them.

  2. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by social learning.

  3. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the way that people are labeled.

  4. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the structure of society.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Functionalist theory argues that deviance is caused by the structure of society. Deviance is seen as a necessary part of society because it helps to maintain social order and promote social change.

What is conflict theory?

  1. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the gap between people's goals and their ability to achieve them.

  2. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by social learning.

  3. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the way that people are labeled.

  4. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the structure of society.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Conflict theory argues that deviance is caused by the structure of society. Deviance is seen as a form of resistance to the dominant social order.

What is symbolic interactionist theory?

  1. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the gap between people's goals and their ability to achieve them.

  2. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by social learning.

  3. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the way that people are labeled.

  4. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the structure of society.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

Symbolic interactionist theory argues that deviance is caused by the way that people interact with each other. Deviance is seen as a product of the social interactions that people have with each other.

What is rational choice theory?

  1. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the gap between people's goals and their ability to achieve them.

  2. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by social learning.

  3. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the way that people are labeled.

  4. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by people's rational choices.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Rational choice theory argues that deviance is caused by people's rational choices. People choose to engage in deviant behavior because they believe that it will benefit them in some way.

What is routine activity theory?

  1. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the gap between people's goals and their ability to achieve them.

  2. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by social learning.

  3. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the way that people are labeled.

  4. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the opportunities that people have to commit crimes.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Routine activity theory argues that deviance is caused by the opportunities that people have to commit crimes. Deviance is more likely to occur when people have the opportunity to commit crimes, such as when they are in a place where there is little security or when they are unsupervised.

What is social control theory?

  1. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the gap between people's goals and their ability to achieve them.

  2. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by social learning.

  3. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the way that people are labeled.

  4. A theory that argues that deviance is caused by the lack of social control.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Social control theory argues that deviance is caused by the lack of social control. Deviance is more likely to occur when people are not properly socialized, when they have weak social bonds, or when they are not subject to effective social control.

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