Lecture 5: Check for Understanding

1. From a conflict perspective, the laws of a society are often a reflection of:

a) The interests of the powerful b) The will of the majority c) Timeless moral principles d) The needs of all members of society

2. White-collar crime is often treated less severely than street crime. This is an example of:

a) How power and inequality operate in the justice system b) The efficiency of the legal system c) The declining importance of social norms d) The success of rehabilitation programs

3. Social stratification is a system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy. This affects their:

a) Life chances b) Genetic makeup c) Personality type d) Personal preferences

4. In sociology, "power" is defined as:

a) The ability to control access to resources. b) Physical strength. c) A charismatic personality. d) The official authority of a government.

5. Emile Durkheim's study of suicide demonstrated that:

a) Suicide is a purely individual act. b) Suicide rates are not related to social factors. c) Even a seemingly individual act can be explained by social forces like social integration. d) Suicide is a sign of moral weakness.

6. Which of the following is NOT a core assumption of conflict theory?

a) Society is an arena of inequality. b) Social arrangements benefit some groups at the expense of others. c) Society is a system of interrelated parts that work together for social stability. d) Conflict is the engine of social change.

7. The recognized violation of cultural norms is known as:

a) Deviance b) Social control c) Stratification d) Recidivism

8. A person born into a wealthy family has better access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities. This is an example of:

a) Personal achievement b) Structural advantage c) Random chance d) Individual merit

9. The use of the legal system, police, and prisons to prevent or punish deviance is known as:

a) Informal social control b) Formal social control c) Self-control d) Peer pressure

10. The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend is called:

a) Recidivism b) Rehabilitation c) Retribution d) Deterrence