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:

Optimistic

Having a hopeful and confident attitude towards the future or the successful outcome of something.

Pessimistic

Having a tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen; a lack of hope or confidence in the future.

Egocentrically Introverted

A personality trait characterized by a focus on one's own thoughts and feelings rather than on external stimuli or the perspectives of others.

Disinhibition

The reduction of restraint or inhibition which can lead to an increase in spontaneous or impulsive behaviors, often seen in social or psychological contexts.