What Might a Conflict Theorist Conclude About Deviance If an Upper-Middle-Class,white

question 51

Multiple Choice

What might a conflict theorist conclude about deviance 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?

• A) Different levels of punishment are functional, as they keep the most productive members of society out of jail.
• B) Criminals from the lower class should be more harshly punished, 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:

Vouchers

Certificates or other documents that can be used as money or for obtaining a discount on goods or services, often used in educational funding.

Credential Inflation

The devaluation of educational qualifications over time, requiring higher levels of education to qualify for certain jobs.

Cultural Capital

Non-financial social assets that promote social mobility beyond economic means, including education, intellect, style of speech, and appearance.

Professionalization

The process by which an occupation transforms into a profession, typically involving the development of formal training programs, ethical standards, and officially recognized certification.