True or False: The differential treatment of petty thieves and corporate criminals illustrates that social inequality does not significantly affect societal perceptions of deviance.

The statement is false because the way society views different types of crime can be heavily influenced by social inequality. Petty thieves, often from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, may be seen as more deviant or dangerous compared to corporate criminals, who might be viewed as simply making business decisions. This difference in perception shows how class and status affect our understanding of deviance. For example, if a person steals food to survive, they may be judged harshly, while a CEO committing fraud may receive leniency or sympathy. Ultimately, social inequality plays a significant role in how we perceive and react to different forms of deviance.