56. If a youth experiences physical abuse at home, which type of strain did the youth experience according to general
strain theory?
a. achievement of positively valued goals b. disjunction of expectations and achievements
c. removal of positively valued stimuli d. presentation of negative stimuli
57. Which of the following is not an element of general strain theory?
a. achievement of positively valued goals b. disjunction of expectations and achievements
c. removal of positively valued stimuli d. presentation of negative stimuli
58. If a juvenile experiences the death of a parent or grandparent, which type of strain did the youth experience
according to general strain theory?
a. achievement of positively valued goals b. disjunction of expectations and achievements
c. removal of positively valued stimuli d. presentation of negative stimuli
59. Cultural deviance theory focuses on which of the following factors?
a. development of subcultures as a result of
disorganization and strain
b. blocked opportunities for achieving status
c. poverty and unemployment d. socialization processes inherent in the truly
disadvantaged
60. The rules that govern day–to-day living conditions within a subculture are known as:
a. policies. b. focal concerns.
c. middle-class measuring rods. d. conduct norms.
61. According to focal concern theory, which of the following is not identified as a lower–class focal concern?
a. smartness b. trouble
c. excitement d. achievement
62. If a juvenile joins a gang in which he achieves his status through violence and toughness, which type of gang is he
in according to Cloward and Ohlin’s theory of differential opportunity?
a. conflict b. retreatist
c. criminal d. status
63. The unique value system that dominates life among the lower classes is known as:
a. focal concerns. b. middle–class measuring rods.
c. conduct norms. d. reaction formation.
64. Which focal concern involves being independent of authority figures?
a. trouble b. autonomy
c. excitement d. smartness
65. Cloward and Ohlin’s theory of differential opportunity states that people in all strata of society share the same
success goals but those in the lower class have limited means for achieving them. Because of differential
opportunity, kids are likely to:
a. find menial jobs. b. seek role models.
c. join gangs. d. feel shame.
66. The application of sociological concepts to criminology can be traced to the works of Quetelet and Durkheim.
a. True
b. False
67. People in the United States live in a stratified society.
a. True
b. False
68. Findings suggest that poverty experienced during adolescence may have a more severe impact than poverty
experienced during early childhood or during adulthood.
a. True
b. False
69. The three branches of social structure theory are social disorganization, deterrence, and cultural deviance.
a. True
b. False
70. Shaw and McKay identified transitional neighborhoods as being poverty–ridden areas that suffered high rates of
population turnover and that were incapable of inducing residents to remain and defend the neighborhoods against
criminal groups.
a. True
b. False
71. While short–term national economic trends may have little effect on crime, long–term local unemployment rates
may have a significant impact on conditions at the neighborhood level.
a. True
b. False
72. In neighborhoods where collective efficacy is high, children are less likely to become involved with deviant peers
and less likely to engage in problem behaviors.
a. True
b. False
73. Societies held together by traditions, shared values, and unquestioned beliefs (i.e., mechanical solidarity) are the
most likely to develop anomie.
a. True
b. False
74. Anomie is derived from the French word nomos, meaning “without feeling.“
a. True
b. False
75. Postindustrial social systems are highly developed and dependent upon the division of labor; people are
connected by their interdependent needs for one another’s services and production is referred to as organic
solidarity
a. True
b. False
76. Societal dispersion refers to the condition that exists when wealthy people and poverty–stricken people live in
close proximity to one another.
a. True
b. False
77. There is evidence that stress influences males and females equally; however, the degree to which it leads to
criminal behavior is much higher among females than males.
a. True
b. False
78. Structural strain suggests that economic and social sources of strain shape collective human behavior.
a. True
b. False
79. General strain theory suggests that crime peaks during adolescence because adolescence is a time of high stress
created by the weakening of parental supervision and the development of relationships with a diverse peer group.
a. True
b. False
80. According to general strain theory, strain can be the result of the failure to achieve positively valued goals, the
removal of positively valued stimuli, or the presentation of negatively viewed stimuli.
a. True
b. False
81. Agnew suggests that there are, in fact, community–level factors, such as blocked opportunities and lack of social
support, that produce feelings of strain.
a. True
b. False
82. According to Agnew, criminality is the direct result of negative affective states that are produced by a variety of
sources of strain.
a. True
b. False
83. According to Sellin, culture conflict occurs when the rules expressed in criminal law clash with the demands of
group conduct norms.
a. True
b. False
84. According to Cohen, the “delinquent boy” adopts a set of norms in direct opposition to middle-class values.
a. True
b. False
85. Although welfare has been curtailed through the Federal Welfare Reform Act of 1996, research shows that crime
rates decrease when families receive supplemental income through public assistance payments.
a. True
b. False
86. Social structure concepts, especially Cloward and Ohlin’s views, were a critical ingredient in the Kennedy and
Johnson administrations’ “War on Poverty,” begun in the early 1960s.
a. True
b. False
87. Operation Weed and Seed was a recent example of a structural theory
a. True
b. False
88. Explain the socioeconomic structure of American society.
89. How does poverty impact children and minority groups?
90. Describe the three branches of the social structure perspective.
91. What is social disorganization? How does it develop?
92. Identify the community–level factors that are associated with fear and describe how these factors contribute to the
level of fear in a neighborhood.
93. Discuss the work of Shaw and McKay, focusing upon transitional neighborhoods and concentric zones.
94. What is anomie? What are the conditions that cause it?
95. According to Merton’s classical strain theory, what are the ways individuals can adopt to anomie? Explain each.
96. General strain theory expanded on classical strain theory to include more sources of strain. Discuss the sources of
strain according to general strain theory and provide an example of each.
97. Explain how social disorganization and strain tie into cultural deviance theory.
98. Explain Albert Cohen‘s Delinquent Boys (subculture) theory.
99. Explain how social structure theory can have a significant impact on public policy.