Question 1

According to Goffman, what is the primary difference between 'obligations' and 'expectations' as rules of conduct?

Accepted Answer

Obligations establish how we are morally constrained to act, while expectations establish how others are morally bound to act toward us.

Question 2

Lauren Berlant's concept of 'cruel optimism' is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A sustaining inclination to return to a fantasy that promises improvement, even when such improvement is unattainable.

Question 3

In the context of domestic violence prosecutions, why is the dialogic relationship between police and victims crucial?

Accepted Answer

Because the interaction between police and victims shapes both the victim's entrance into and exit from the criminal justice system.

Question 4

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'cruel optimism' as experienced by victims of domestic violence when interacting with police?

Accepted Answer

Victims expect that calling the police will improve their situation, but often find their circumstances unchanged or worsened.

Question 5

According to the study, what is a common outcome when victims' expectations of police are not met?

Accepted Answer

Victims often feel resentment, disappointment, and may avoid seeking police help in the future.

Question 6

In the courtroom, how is 'demeanour' often linked to the credibility of a domestic violence victim?

Accepted Answer

Credibility is judged by how closely the victim's presentation matches normative expectations of calmness, passivity, and honesty.

Question 7

Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates Goffman's idea of 'complementarity' between deference and demeanour?

Accepted Answer

A victim calls a police officer 'officer' to show respect, expecting the officer to respond with respectful and less threatening behaviour.

Question 8

Based on the study, what is a likely effect when a victim does not conform to the expected 'feminine' demeanour during police or courtroom interactions?

Accepted Answer

The victim may be viewed with suspicion and her credibility questioned.

Question 9

In the case of R. v. Bishop [2011], what does Ms. Moore's experience illustrate about the interaction between expectation, obligation, and cruel optimism?

Accepted Answer

That even when victims comply with police requests, their expectations of protection and justice may not be fulfilled, leading to disappointment.

Question 10

How does the concept of 'hierarchy of credibility' (Becker 1967) manifest in domestic violence trials, according to the study?

Accepted Answer

Victims' lived realities are often situated at the bottom, making their testimony less likely to be believed compared to police or other authorities.

Question 11

A victim of domestic violence calls the police expecting support and protection. Instead, the police question her credibility and do not lay charges. According to Goffman, what is the likely impact on both the victim and the police in terms of 'rules of conduct'?

Accepted Answer

Both the victim and the police risk becoming discredited: the victim for not being treated as expected, and the police for not fulfilling their obligations.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the 'affective spiral' discussed in the study regarding police-victim interactions?

Accepted Answer

A process where unmet expectations lead to disappointment, which then fosters resentment and antagonism between victims and police.

Question 13

Why might victims of domestic violence choose not to call the police, according to the study's findings?

Accepted Answer

They fear escalation of abuse, loss of privacy, involvement of child welfare agencies, or believe police intervention will make things worse.

Question 14

In the study, what was a common reaction among victims after their abuser was released shortly after arrest?

Accepted Answer

A sense of hopelessness and reluctance to call the police again.

Question 15

How does the study suggest that positive police demeanour can affect victims of domestic violence?

Accepted Answer

It can increase victims' comfort, trust, and willingness to share information, leading to more effective cooperation.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a 'micro ritual of interaction' as described by Goffman?

Accepted Answer

A victim addressing a police officer formally to show respect, expecting a certain response in return.

Question 17

A victim recants her initial statement to police during a domestic violence trial. According to the study, what is the likely impact on the prosecution?

Accepted Answer

It complicates the prosecution, as the victim's credibility is questioned and alternative evidence (such as video statements) may be used.

Question 18

According to the study, what role do public statements and promises by police institutions play in shaping victims' expectations?

Accepted Answer

They create an invitation to optimism, leading victims to believe police will provide support and justice.

Question 19

Which of the following best summarizes the study's conclusion about victims' entrances and exits from the criminal justice system?

Accepted Answer

Victims' entrances are closely tied to their exits, as unmet expectations and negative interactions with police often lead to distrust and withdrawal from the system.

Demeanour, Cruel Optimism, and the Relationship Between Police and Victims of Domestic Violence: Sociological Perspectives

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