Theories of Deviance — Quiz

In Merton's typology of adaptations, which response involves rejecting both cultural goals and institutionalized means and attempting to replace them with alternatives?

Which of the following best describes the principle of differential association as stated by Sutherland?

Gottfredson and Hirschi's 'General Theory of Crime' argues that the primary cause of criminal behavior is:

Becker's concept of the 'moral entrepreneur' refers to:

Cohen and Felson's routine activities theory proposes that a criminal event requires the convergence of which three elements?

Sampson and Laub's age-graded theory of informal social control identifies 'turning points' as:

Which of the following best characterizes the critical criminological argument made by Chambliss in his analysis of vagrancy law?

Akers's social learning theory extends Sutherland's differential association by adding which additional mechanism?

Explain what Lemert meant by 'secondary deviance' and describe one mechanism through which labeling can produce it.

Why do the major theories of deviance function better as complements than as rivals? Use at least two theories in your answer.

What is the 'age-crime curve' and why must any adequate theory of deviance account for it?

Drawing on at least three of the theoretical traditions covered in this topic — strain theory, differential association or social learning theory, control theory, and labeling or critical theory — construct a sociological analysis of why rates of recorded street crime are higher in economically deprived urban neighborhoods than in affluent ones. Your answer should identify the specific mechanisms each theory proposes, assess what each contributes and what it leaves unexplained, and conclude with a reflection on whether a multi-theoretical approach is necessary for an adequate explanation.