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