Exam 1: Introduction to Criminological Theory

How do social sciences, especially criminology, differ from hard sciences? What makes testing hypotheses and predicting outcomes different for social sciences?

(Essay)

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Question 21

The adequacy of a theory can best be judged by the political or partisan ideologies of its proponents.

(True/False)

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Question 22

A macro theory is one that explains behavior in terms of genetic, chemical, neurological, or physiological factors.

(True/False)

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Question 23

The probabilistic concept of causation suggests that human behavior is determined by external forces with little exercise of free will.

(True/False)

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Question 24

In democratic society, a good criminal justice or crime prevention policy should not only be effective but also meet legal, ethical, and moral standards of fairness and due process.

(True/False)

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Question 25

Theories in criminology do all of the following except:

(Multiple Choice)

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Question 26

Theories of crime offer tentative answers not only to questions of what is but also to questions of what ought to be.

(True/False)

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Question 27

According to Edwin Sutherland, criminology involves the study of:

(Multiple Choice)

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Question 28

Probability concepts of cause and soft determinism fit explanations of criminal behavior better than do concepts of strict determinism and direct cause and effect.

(True/False)

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Question 29

A theory that focuses on the subjective perceptions and motivations of individuals is an example of what level of analysis?

(Multiple Choice)

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Question 30

The "level of analysis" of a criminological theory refers to:

(Multiple Choice)

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Question 31

Soft determinism is the concept that behavior is partly a matter of choice and partly a function of influences over which people have no control.

(True/False)

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Question 32

A useful theory of crime provides implications or guidelines for criminal justice policy, but one cannot directly test the theory from the success or failure of the policy.

(True/False)

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Question 33

Sound policy and practice must:

(Multiple Choice)

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Question 34

In the traditional concept of causality, which of the following criteria must be met to establish that X is a cause of Y?

(Multiple Choice)

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Question 35

With no prior knowledge of criminological theory, how would you have explained the occurrence of crime?

(Essay)

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Question 36

Traditional Causality requires that cause X must precede and produce effect Y.

(True/False)

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Question 37

Identify and explain the major criteria for evaluating the adequacy of criminological theories.

(Essay)

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Question 38

If a theory of crime is empirically valid, then:

(Multiple Choice)

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Question 39

In evaluating the empirical validity of criminological theories, Akers and Sellers take the position that we should:

(Multiple Choice)

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Question 40

Showing 21 - 40 of 46

How do social sciences, especially criminology, differ from hard sciences? What makes testing hypotheses and predicting outcomes different for social sciences?

The adequacy of a theory can best be judged by the political or partisan ideologies of its proponents.

A macro theory is one that explains behavior in terms of genetic, chemical, neurological, or physiological factors.

The probabilistic concept of causation suggests that human behavior is determined by external forces with little exercise of free will.

In democratic society, a good criminal justice or crime prevention policy should not only be effective but also meet legal, ethical, and moral standards of fairness and due process.

Theories in criminology do all of the following except:

Theories of crime offer tentative answers not only to questions of what is but also to questions of what ought to be.

According to Edwin Sutherland, criminology involves the study of:

Probability concepts of cause and soft determinism fit explanations of criminal behavior better than do concepts of strict determinism and direct cause and effect.

A theory that focuses on the subjective perceptions and motivations of individuals is an example of what level of analysis?

The "level of analysis" of a criminological theory refers to:

Soft determinism is the concept that behavior is partly a matter of choice and partly a function of influences over which people have no control.

A useful theory of crime provides implications or guidelines for criminal justice policy, but one cannot directly test the theory from the success or failure of the policy.

Sound policy and practice must:

In the traditional concept of causality, which of the following criteria must be met to establish that X is a cause of Y?

With no prior knowledge of criminological theory, how would you have explained the occurrence of crime?

Traditional Causality requires that cause X must precede and produce effect Y.

Identify and explain the major criteria for evaluating the adequacy of criminological theories.

If a theory of crime is empirically valid, then:

In evaluating the empirical validity of criminological theories, Akers and Sellers take the position that we should:

Deterrence and Rational Choice Theories

Biological and Biosocial Theories

Psychological Theories

Social Learning Theory

Social Bonding and Control Theories

Labeling and Reintegrative Shaming Theory

Social Disorganization Theory

Anomie and Strain Theories

Conflict Theory

Marxist Theories

Radical and Critical Theories

Feminist Theories

Developmental and Life-Course Theories

Integrating Criminological Theories

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