If an Upper-Middle-Class,white College Student Is Sentenced to Rehab for the Same

question 75

Multiple Choice

If an upper-middle-class,white college student is sentenced to rehab for the same drug crime that a lower-class,black man is sentenced to jail for committing,what might a conflict theorist conclude about deviance?

• A) Differential levels of punishment are functional, as they keep the most productive members of society out of jail.
• B) We need to punish criminals from the lower class more harshly, as they are more likely to re-offend.
• C) The two criminals probably had very different motives for committing their crimes, and this explains the difference in punishment.
• D) The rules are applied unequally, and those with power or influence are punished much less harshly.

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Definitions:

Debt Agreement

A formal arrangement between a debtor and creditors which outlines the terms of debt repayment.

Common Stock

Equity securities that represent ownership in a corporation, giving holders voting rights and a share in the company's profits via dividends.

Preferred Stock

A class of ownership in a corporation that has a higher claim on assets and earnings than common stock, often with predetermined dividends.

Debt Instrument

A written obligation to repay borrowed funds or debts under defined terms, such as bonds, notes, or mortgages.