1. What do sociologists mean when they say that deviance is socially defined? Given a sociological approach, in what ways is tattooing deviant, and in what ways is it not?

2. How can we understand deviance as a global flow? How do countries differ in terms of their interpretations of what is deviant? In an increasingly globalized world, what are the consequences of these differing interpretations?

3. The Dutch seem to be limiting marijuana use to some extent just as some U.S. states are adopting a more liberal approach to the use of the drug. How do you explain these contradictory trends?

4. In what ways can the capitalist economic system be seen as creating deviance? Is this even more true of crime?

5. Why do those who rank high in such hierarchies as business, government, and the military have a much greater ability to commit deviant acts, to have them be seen as being legitimate, and to get away with them? What does this elite deviance suggest about the “fairness” of deviance?

6. What are the differences between a discredited stigma and a discreditable stigma? What is an example of each?

7. How is crime different from deviance? Why do some forms of deviance become criminalized whereas others do not?

8. How do you explain the fact that the United States has so many people in prison? Why is the U.S. incarceration rate the highest in the world?

9. Is the death penalty useful as a form of general deterrence? Are you in favor of the death penalty? If so, for what crimes?

10. What sorts of barriers have countries attempted to implement to limit the global flow of drugs? Why have these been relatively unsuccessful?