During the civil rights movement, Rosa Parks and other black protestors spoke out against segregation by refusing to sit at the back of the bus. This is an example of ________.

 Options:

a. An act of social control b. An act of deviance c. A social norm d. Criminal mores

The Correct Answer Is:

b. An act of deviance

Correct Answer Explanation: b. An act of deviance

During the civil rights movement, Rosa Parks and other black protestors engaged in acts of deviance when they refused to comply with the discriminatory social norm of segregation, specifically by not sitting at the back of the bus.

Deviance, in a sociological context, refers to any behavior, belief, or condition that violates societal norms or expectations. In this case, the societal norm was the segregation of public spaces based on race, and Rosa Parks’ refusal to abide by this norm was a deliberate act of deviance.

Rosa Parks’ decision to sit in the front of the bus was not merely a random act of rebellion; it was a strategic and purposeful challenge to the unjust and discriminatory social order.

This act of deviance played a crucial role in the larger civil rights movement, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott and contributing to the momentum that eventually led to the desegregation of public facilities.

Now, let’s examine why the other options are not correct:

a. An act of social control:

Social control refers to the mechanisms and strategies societies use to regulate individual behavior and maintain order. In the context of the civil rights movement, the established social control mechanisms were actually working to perpetuate racial segregation.

Rosa Parks’ act of refusing to sit at the back of the bus was a deliberate challenge to this social control, not an act in alignment with it. Parks was not conforming to the societal expectations that enforced segregation; instead, she was actively resisting and protesting against those norms.

c. A social norm:

Social norms are shared expectations within a society regarding appropriate behavior. While it’s true that sitting at the back of the bus was a social norm during the era of segregation, Rosa Parks’ refusal to adhere to this norm marked her action as deviant.

Deviance, in sociological terms, involves behaviors that violate established societal norms. Parks’ decision to sit at the front of the bus deliberately contradicted the norm of segregated seating, making her actions an act of deviance aimed at challenging and changing that norm.

d. Criminal mores:

Mores are the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community, and criminal mores specifically refer to widely observed social customs deemed essential to the functioning of society.

While Rosa Parks’ act of refusing to move to the back of the bus did violate existing segregation laws, it did not challenge the fundamental criminal mores of society. Instead, her act of deviance was directed at unjust laws that perpetuated racial discrimination.

The civil rights movement sought to change discriminatory laws, making Parks’ actions a challenge to specific legal norms rather than an attack on broader criminal mores essential to societal functioning.

In summary, each of these options represents a different aspect of social organization and behavior, but they do not accurately characterize Rosa Parks’ act during the civil rights movement.

Her refusal to comply with segregation laws was an act of deviance, challenging an unjust social norm and contributing significantly to the larger movement for civil rights and racial equality.

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