Question

A man who is a bank president is found guilty of tax evasion. In addition to paying the government all the money he owes with substantial interest, he is sentenced to three years probation and a $50,000 fine. At the same time, a teller at the same bank is found guilty of stealing $500. The teller is sentenced to a prison term of no less than four years. This differential treatment would best represent which sociological perspective:

Answer 1

Answer: Conflict perspective

Explanation: Conflict perspective aims to explain the preferential differences or inequalities which exists within a society usually as a result of the gulf in class which exists between the social class such that the influential and dominant groups are treated favorably than the those in the lower Cadre. The dominant groups are afforded greater privilege and favoritism. In the scenario above, the individual who stole the greater amount got a fairer judgement than the person committed the same offense but a substantially lower amount. This is due to the conflict perspective which occurred due to the preferential treatment enjoyed by the manager who belongs to a more dominant social group.