Test Bank For Thio's Deviant Behavior, 13th Edition by Jim
D. Taylor
CHAPTER ONE
What Is Deviant Behavior?
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which statement about the definition of deviance is TRUE?
a) Almost all persons in a society will agree on the nature of deviant behavior.
b)Definitions of deviant behavior are determined by consensus among
a nation‟s religious groups.
c) There is often a great deal of disagreement among people as to
who or what they consider deviant.
d) Few persons in a society are concerned about the definition of deviance.
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
2. In 1965, sociologist J. L. Simmons asked a sample of people from the
general public who they thought were deviant. Which conclusion can be
reached based on Simmons‟ results?
a)Only those considered to be “bad people,” such as drug addicts,
prostitutes, or criminals, were seen as deviant.
b)There was a great deal of consensus among those polled as to who
was deviant and who was not.
c) Perceptions of deviance fell clearly into four main categories.
d) Almost anyone, in someone else‟s eyes, can be considered deviant in some
way.
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Analyze It
3. Among sociologists, there is
a) much personal involvement in illegal deviant behavior.
b) a growing awareness that deviance is best studied by criminologists.
c) widespread agreement about what behavior should be considered deviant.
d) a lack of consensus about what kinds of behavior should be seen as deviant.
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
,Difficulty Level: Easy
,Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
4. Compared to the others, which group is most capable of avoiding
being falsely, erroneously, or unjustly labeled as deviant?
a) Affluent people
b) People living below the poverty line
c) People in positions of power
d) People who are socially powerless
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
5. Denis relies on a wheelchair because of his cerebral palsy. Would he be
considered “deviant” according to some definitions offered by
sociologists?
a) Yes, because the mere fact of using a wheelchair violates formal norms
b)No, because deviance only applies to people who break laws or
commit violent acts
c) Yes, because people with disabilities are often devalued by society
d) No, because his positive/negative “deviance ratio” is imbalanced
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
6. Which statement about deviance is TRUE?
a) Deviance should include only important violations of norms.
b)All sociologists agree that deviance includes mundane, routine,
and normal violations of formal norms.
c) Deviance is considered a “fringe topic” by most sociologists.
d) Sociologists do not agree on a precise definition of deviance.
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
7. Which types of people are examples of positive deviants?
a) Saints, intellectuals, and geniuses
b) Sex workers and professional gamblers
c) People who are badly scarred, blind, or mutilated
d) Murderers, rapists, and kidnappers
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant behavior.
,Topic: Conflicting
Definitions Difficulty
Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
8. Sociologists who are influenced by the positivist perspective of
absolutism tend to view deviant behavior as an attribute that .
a) is dictated by those in power
b) fades over time
c) varies according to one‟s culture
d) inheres in the individual
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
9. Sociologists who endorse the role of power in the definition of
deviance have discovered that people who are wealthy and
powerful
a) are rarely deviant.
b) typically can avoid being labeled as deviant.
c) are welcoming toward most types of deviant behavior.
d) ignore most forms of deviant behavior.
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
10. According to sociologists who study the role of power in the definition
of deviance, deviance is any act that
a) violates the criminal law.
b) violates deeply held moral values.
c) powerful people consider to be a violation of some social rule.
d) involves the behavior of people living below the poverty line.
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
11. Sociological definitions of deviance fall into two opposing perspectives,
the positivist and the .
a) traditional
b) feminist
c) constructionist
d) modernist
,Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
12. Prior to the twentieth century, criminals were thought to
a) have certain familial characteristics that noncriminals did not.
b)be feebleminded, psychotic, neurotic, psychopathic, or
otherwise mentally disturbed.
c) possess the same mental and physical characteristics as noncriminals.
d) have stronger educational backgrounds compared to noncriminals.
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.2 Characterize the positivist perspective on deviance
using its three major assumptions.
Topic: The Positivist
Perspective Difficulty Level:
Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
13. Determinist, objectivist, and absolutist are terms associated with aspects of the
perspective on deviance.
a) constructionist
b) humanist
c) modern
d) positivist
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.2 Characterize the positivist perspective on deviance
using its three major assumptions.
Topic: The Positivist
Perspective Difficulty Level:
Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
14. Some students were discussing their sociology class over lunch. “It‟s
fascinating to me that „deviant‟ is nothing more than a label we apply
to some people,” said Assunta. “Whoever controls the labels controls
the perceptions.” “It‟s pretty clear that there are deviants and there
are nondeviants, and that a person falls squarely into one category or
the other,” countered Beppo. “Huh,” grunted Corrado. “You can‟t see
deviance…it‟s not like it‟s an object. You just infer it.” “I dunno,”
shrugged Dino. “I think people choose to be deviant or not; it‟s a
voluntary act.” Which of these four studious sociology scholars
endorses the positivist perspective on deviance?
a) Assunta
b) Beppo
c) Corrado
d) Dino
Answer: b
,Learning Objective: 1.2 Characterize the positivist perspective on deviance using its
, three major assumptions.
Topic: The Positivist
Perspective Difficulty Level:
Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
15. refers to the belief that deviance is intrinsically real.
a) Absolutism
b) Voluntarism
c) Relativism
d) Determinism
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.2 Characterize the positivist perspective on deviance
using its three major assumptions.
Topic: The Positivist
Perspective Difficulty Level:
Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
16. Rico believes that deviant behavior has characteristics that
distinguish it from conventional behavior; therefore, Rico believes
deviance is .
a) a label
b) a biased concept
c) biologically determined
d) intrinsically real
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.2 Characterize the positivist perspective on deviance
using its three major assumptions.
Topic: The Positivist
Perspective Difficulty Level:
Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
17. Early criminologists believed deviance was intrinsically real because
they believed criminals possessed
a) different moral standards that were acceptable in their subculture.
b) the same biological traits found in noncriminals.
c) a distinctive set of labels that set them apart from noncriminals.
d) certain biological traits that were absent in noncriminals.
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.2 Characterize the positivist perspective on deviance
using its three major assumptions.
Topic: The Positivist
Perspective Difficulty Level:
Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
18. Because they consider deviance real, positivist sociologists tend to
D. Taylor
CHAPTER ONE
What Is Deviant Behavior?
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which statement about the definition of deviance is TRUE?
a) Almost all persons in a society will agree on the nature of deviant behavior.
b)Definitions of deviant behavior are determined by consensus among
a nation‟s religious groups.
c) There is often a great deal of disagreement among people as to
who or what they consider deviant.
d) Few persons in a society are concerned about the definition of deviance.
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
2. In 1965, sociologist J. L. Simmons asked a sample of people from the
general public who they thought were deviant. Which conclusion can be
reached based on Simmons‟ results?
a)Only those considered to be “bad people,” such as drug addicts,
prostitutes, or criminals, were seen as deviant.
b)There was a great deal of consensus among those polled as to who
was deviant and who was not.
c) Perceptions of deviance fell clearly into four main categories.
d) Almost anyone, in someone else‟s eyes, can be considered deviant in some
way.
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Analyze It
3. Among sociologists, there is
a) much personal involvement in illegal deviant behavior.
b) a growing awareness that deviance is best studied by criminologists.
c) widespread agreement about what behavior should be considered deviant.
d) a lack of consensus about what kinds of behavior should be seen as deviant.
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
,Difficulty Level: Easy
,Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
4. Compared to the others, which group is most capable of avoiding
being falsely, erroneously, or unjustly labeled as deviant?
a) Affluent people
b) People living below the poverty line
c) People in positions of power
d) People who are socially powerless
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
5. Denis relies on a wheelchair because of his cerebral palsy. Would he be
considered “deviant” according to some definitions offered by
sociologists?
a) Yes, because the mere fact of using a wheelchair violates formal norms
b)No, because deviance only applies to people who break laws or
commit violent acts
c) Yes, because people with disabilities are often devalued by society
d) No, because his positive/negative “deviance ratio” is imbalanced
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
6. Which statement about deviance is TRUE?
a) Deviance should include only important violations of norms.
b)All sociologists agree that deviance includes mundane, routine,
and normal violations of formal norms.
c) Deviance is considered a “fringe topic” by most sociologists.
d) Sociologists do not agree on a precise definition of deviance.
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
7. Which types of people are examples of positive deviants?
a) Saints, intellectuals, and geniuses
b) Sex workers and professional gamblers
c) People who are badly scarred, blind, or mutilated
d) Murderers, rapists, and kidnappers
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant behavior.
,Topic: Conflicting
Definitions Difficulty
Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
8. Sociologists who are influenced by the positivist perspective of
absolutism tend to view deviant behavior as an attribute that .
a) is dictated by those in power
b) fades over time
c) varies according to one‟s culture
d) inheres in the individual
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
9. Sociologists who endorse the role of power in the definition of
deviance have discovered that people who are wealthy and
powerful
a) are rarely deviant.
b) typically can avoid being labeled as deviant.
c) are welcoming toward most types of deviant behavior.
d) ignore most forms of deviant behavior.
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
10. According to sociologists who study the role of power in the definition
of deviance, deviance is any act that
a) violates the criminal law.
b) violates deeply held moral values.
c) powerful people consider to be a violation of some social rule.
d) involves the behavior of people living below the poverty line.
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
11. Sociological definitions of deviance fall into two opposing perspectives,
the positivist and the .
a) traditional
b) feminist
c) constructionist
d) modernist
,Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.1 Identify your personal definitions of deviant
behavior. Topic: Conflicting Definitions
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
12. Prior to the twentieth century, criminals were thought to
a) have certain familial characteristics that noncriminals did not.
b)be feebleminded, psychotic, neurotic, psychopathic, or
otherwise mentally disturbed.
c) possess the same mental and physical characteristics as noncriminals.
d) have stronger educational backgrounds compared to noncriminals.
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.2 Characterize the positivist perspective on deviance
using its three major assumptions.
Topic: The Positivist
Perspective Difficulty Level:
Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
13. Determinist, objectivist, and absolutist are terms associated with aspects of the
perspective on deviance.
a) constructionist
b) humanist
c) modern
d) positivist
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.2 Characterize the positivist perspective on deviance
using its three major assumptions.
Topic: The Positivist
Perspective Difficulty Level:
Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
14. Some students were discussing their sociology class over lunch. “It‟s
fascinating to me that „deviant‟ is nothing more than a label we apply
to some people,” said Assunta. “Whoever controls the labels controls
the perceptions.” “It‟s pretty clear that there are deviants and there
are nondeviants, and that a person falls squarely into one category or
the other,” countered Beppo. “Huh,” grunted Corrado. “You can‟t see
deviance…it‟s not like it‟s an object. You just infer it.” “I dunno,”
shrugged Dino. “I think people choose to be deviant or not; it‟s a
voluntary act.” Which of these four studious sociology scholars
endorses the positivist perspective on deviance?
a) Assunta
b) Beppo
c) Corrado
d) Dino
Answer: b
,Learning Objective: 1.2 Characterize the positivist perspective on deviance using its
, three major assumptions.
Topic: The Positivist
Perspective Difficulty Level:
Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
15. refers to the belief that deviance is intrinsically real.
a) Absolutism
b) Voluntarism
c) Relativism
d) Determinism
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.2 Characterize the positivist perspective on deviance
using its three major assumptions.
Topic: The Positivist
Perspective Difficulty Level:
Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
16. Rico believes that deviant behavior has characteristics that
distinguish it from conventional behavior; therefore, Rico believes
deviance is .
a) a label
b) a biased concept
c) biologically determined
d) intrinsically real
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.2 Characterize the positivist perspective on deviance
using its three major assumptions.
Topic: The Positivist
Perspective Difficulty Level:
Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
17. Early criminologists believed deviance was intrinsically real because
they believed criminals possessed
a) different moral standards that were acceptable in their subculture.
b) the same biological traits found in noncriminals.
c) a distinctive set of labels that set them apart from noncriminals.
d) certain biological traits that were absent in noncriminals.
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.2 Characterize the positivist perspective on deviance
using its three major assumptions.
Topic: The Positivist
Perspective Difficulty Level:
Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
18. Because they consider deviance real, positivist sociologists tend to
