SOC 2700 Final Exam Questions with
Complete Answers 2026-2027 Guide.
Symbolic Interactionalism (S.I) - Answer -*interactions with symbols create meaning among
us*
-ex. high five, waving hi, peace sign, etc.
-different interpretations = different symbols
-*roots* of labelling theory = S.I.
-not just stimulius --> response, but's it's also interpretation of symbols
-->stimulius -> interpretation -> response
-interpretation of acts/definitions (ex. smoking/tattoos) *change over tme*
3 Types of Symbolic Interaction People - Answer 1. Significant Others
2. Generalizble People
3. Looking Glass Self (Mirror)
1. Significant Others - Answer We think about how other people will think of us
2. Generalizable People - Answer Who for ex, you may see in class but not hang out with after
class- you're friendly with them
3. Looking Glass Self (Mirror) - Answer People do similar things to us
Primary Deviance Definition - Answer -something we've all engaged in that's deviant but
doesn't change ourselves
Secondary Deviance Definition - Answer -something we've done that's deviant that has an
effect on us & other around us
-other poeple see us as something we're not
-significant reaction from others
-ex. being a "drunk"/"stoner"- we start to live up to those labels
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Definition - Answer -start seeing yourself as/living up to what you're
labelled
Master Status Definition - Answer -the label people see you through & nothing else
,-.ex. "dumb blonde"
-see people through the crime they did, not who they are
-ex. OJ Simpson is now seen as a murderer, not as a former football player
Stigma Definition - Answer -any type of differentness about a person
Courtesy Stigma Definition - Answer -because of someone you associate with, you'll be given a
stigma because of your association with them
-ex. hanging out with deviants- may be labelled deviant even if you're not deviant
Discreditable Stigma Definition - Answer -something that's *able to be known/found out*
-ex. Chandler doesn't know the girl has a fake leg- can be found out
Discredited Stigma Definition - Answer -something that people *know about you*- can't be
hidden anymore
-ex. Chandler now knows the girl has a fake leg
Labelling Theory/"Societal Reaction Theory" - Answer -*Deviance is in the eye of the
beholder!*
Powerful people in society define certain acts as deviant (ex. doctors/teachers) --> Individuals
are found guilty of these acts and labelled as outsiders --> All their future actions are tagged
with the label --> So, they internalize the label and behave accordingly --> "Our identity and
behaviour are determined by how we are described and classified"- Howard Becker
Policies- "Ban the Box" - Answer -in the U.S., the employers separate and don't hire people
who have been in jail- this movement saves the "jail" question for the end of the interview & it
allows employees to explain themselves
-but, this is a con because employers started to *generalize* who they think would've
committed a crime & then not bring them in for an interview
Austin Turk's 2 Types of Societies - Answer 1. Authorities
2. Subjects
1. Authorities - Answer -people with power
-they can enact rules that subjects must follow
2. Subjects - Answer -people without power
, -they are subject to the authorities
Thorsten Sellen- Culture Conflict - Answer -revolves around conflict around our norms
-*Conflict Norms:* -the way we conduct ourselves withon our *cultures*; -people with social &
political power use conduct norms to regulate behaviour
Primary Conflict Definition - Answer -when there's 2 different cultures that govern someone's
behaviour
Secondary Conflict Definition - Answer -smaller groups that are different than the bigger
culture norms
-smaller groups = subculture
George Vold- Group Conflict - Answer -argues the interests one group has, don't align with
other groups
-when groups come together, they get bonded
-argues people always want more power
-ex. political groups/cultural groups,...
Richard Quinney- Social Reality of Crime - Answer -argues that we create crime & non-crime
and we react differently depending on the crime
Marxist Theories - Answer -Marx explained capitalism but didn't support it
-proleterait vs. bourgeoise- workers work for owners & owners exploit workers
-people with power create, implement, & uphold power
-the laws serve only the interest of the *ruling elite*
2 Things To Maximize Wealth- Marx - Answer 1. Owners tend to criminalize actions that would
interfere with their *pursuit of profit*
2. *Overworking workers* to the point of them being frusterated & leads to drugs/alcohol
use/addiction & anger
Postmodern Criminological Thought Definition - Answer *Definition:* Reality is not mirrored
in human understanding, but is constructed as individuals develop their own reality- relates to
social constructionism (changes as we interact with each other)
-began around the 1980s
-radical/critical theories
-MICRO
Complete Answers 2026-2027 Guide.
Symbolic Interactionalism (S.I) - Answer -*interactions with symbols create meaning among
us*
-ex. high five, waving hi, peace sign, etc.
-different interpretations = different symbols
-*roots* of labelling theory = S.I.
-not just stimulius --> response, but's it's also interpretation of symbols
-->stimulius -> interpretation -> response
-interpretation of acts/definitions (ex. smoking/tattoos) *change over tme*
3 Types of Symbolic Interaction People - Answer 1. Significant Others
2. Generalizble People
3. Looking Glass Self (Mirror)
1. Significant Others - Answer We think about how other people will think of us
2. Generalizable People - Answer Who for ex, you may see in class but not hang out with after
class- you're friendly with them
3. Looking Glass Self (Mirror) - Answer People do similar things to us
Primary Deviance Definition - Answer -something we've all engaged in that's deviant but
doesn't change ourselves
Secondary Deviance Definition - Answer -something we've done that's deviant that has an
effect on us & other around us
-other poeple see us as something we're not
-significant reaction from others
-ex. being a "drunk"/"stoner"- we start to live up to those labels
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Definition - Answer -start seeing yourself as/living up to what you're
labelled
Master Status Definition - Answer -the label people see you through & nothing else
,-.ex. "dumb blonde"
-see people through the crime they did, not who they are
-ex. OJ Simpson is now seen as a murderer, not as a former football player
Stigma Definition - Answer -any type of differentness about a person
Courtesy Stigma Definition - Answer -because of someone you associate with, you'll be given a
stigma because of your association with them
-ex. hanging out with deviants- may be labelled deviant even if you're not deviant
Discreditable Stigma Definition - Answer -something that's *able to be known/found out*
-ex. Chandler doesn't know the girl has a fake leg- can be found out
Discredited Stigma Definition - Answer -something that people *know about you*- can't be
hidden anymore
-ex. Chandler now knows the girl has a fake leg
Labelling Theory/"Societal Reaction Theory" - Answer -*Deviance is in the eye of the
beholder!*
Powerful people in society define certain acts as deviant (ex. doctors/teachers) --> Individuals
are found guilty of these acts and labelled as outsiders --> All their future actions are tagged
with the label --> So, they internalize the label and behave accordingly --> "Our identity and
behaviour are determined by how we are described and classified"- Howard Becker
Policies- "Ban the Box" - Answer -in the U.S., the employers separate and don't hire people
who have been in jail- this movement saves the "jail" question for the end of the interview & it
allows employees to explain themselves
-but, this is a con because employers started to *generalize* who they think would've
committed a crime & then not bring them in for an interview
Austin Turk's 2 Types of Societies - Answer 1. Authorities
2. Subjects
1. Authorities - Answer -people with power
-they can enact rules that subjects must follow
2. Subjects - Answer -people without power
, -they are subject to the authorities
Thorsten Sellen- Culture Conflict - Answer -revolves around conflict around our norms
-*Conflict Norms:* -the way we conduct ourselves withon our *cultures*; -people with social &
political power use conduct norms to regulate behaviour
Primary Conflict Definition - Answer -when there's 2 different cultures that govern someone's
behaviour
Secondary Conflict Definition - Answer -smaller groups that are different than the bigger
culture norms
-smaller groups = subculture
George Vold- Group Conflict - Answer -argues the interests one group has, don't align with
other groups
-when groups come together, they get bonded
-argues people always want more power
-ex. political groups/cultural groups,...
Richard Quinney- Social Reality of Crime - Answer -argues that we create crime & non-crime
and we react differently depending on the crime
Marxist Theories - Answer -Marx explained capitalism but didn't support it
-proleterait vs. bourgeoise- workers work for owners & owners exploit workers
-people with power create, implement, & uphold power
-the laws serve only the interest of the *ruling elite*
2 Things To Maximize Wealth- Marx - Answer 1. Owners tend to criminalize actions that would
interfere with their *pursuit of profit*
2. *Overworking workers* to the point of them being frusterated & leads to drugs/alcohol
use/addiction & anger
Postmodern Criminological Thought Definition - Answer *Definition:* Reality is not mirrored
in human understanding, but is constructed as individuals develop their own reality- relates to
social constructionism (changes as we interact with each other)
-began around the 1980s
-radical/critical theories
-MICRO
