Question 1

A researcher finds that stress is most likely to lead to delinquency among juveniles who have little social support. Social support is the:

Accepted Answer

A)  independent variable 
B)  dependent variable 
C)  third variable 
D)  conditioning variable 
E)  random variable 
A)  independent variable 
B)  dependent variable 
C)  third variable 
D)  conditioning variable 
E)  random variable D

Question 2

According to Agnew and Brezina, it is important to study theories of delinquency because:

Accepted Answer

A)  theories can help us prevent and control delinquency 
B)  criminologists have put much time and effort into developing them 
C)  all theories build on previous theories 
D)  the major theories are useful in explaining the unique behavior of a few deviants 
E)  all of the above 
A)  theories can help us prevent and control delinquency 
B)  criminologists have put much time and effort into developing them 
C)  all theories build on previous theories 
D)  the major theories are useful in explaining the unique behavior of a few deviants 
E)  all of the above A

Question 3

Add a conditioning variable to your theory. Be sure to describe how this variable conditions the effect of your independent variable.

Accepted Answer

In my theory, I would add a conditioning variable of income level. This variable would condition the effect of the independent variable, which is the availability of educational resources.

By including income level as a conditioning variable, I can examine how the availability of educational resources affects academic achievement differently for students from different income backgrounds. For example, I could hypothesize that the positive effect of educational resources on academic achievement is stronger for students from lower income households, as they may have less access to educational resources outside of school. On the other hand, for students from higher income households, the effect of educational resources on academic achievement may be less pronounced, as they may already have access to additional resources and support.

By including income level as a conditioning variable, I can provide a more nuanced understanding of how the availability of educational resources impacts academic achievement, taking into account the varying socioeconomic backgrounds of students. This can help to inform targeted interventions and policies to address educational disparities based on income level.

Question 4

A researcher states that the probability that the association between two variables is due to chance is less than 1%. This means that:

Accepted Answer

A)  the association is probably not due to third variables 
B)  it is quite likely that the dependent variable causes the independent variable 
C)  the association is very large in size 
D)  all of the above 
E)  none of the above 
A)  the association is probably not due to third variables 
B)  it is quite likely that the dependent variable causes the independent variable 
C)  the association is very large in size 
D)  all of the above 
E)  none of the above

Question 5

One of the best ways to determine if a theory of delinquency is correct is to:

Accepted Answer

A)  solicit the opinions of respected individuals 
B)  determine how well the theory is supported by your own experiences and the experiences of those you know 
C)  test the theory 
D)  all of the above 
A)  solicit the opinions of respected individuals 
B)  determine how well the theory is supported by your own experiences and the experiences of those you know 
C)  test the theory 
D)  all of the above

Question 6

The most common way to study juveniles is to interview them or have them complete questionnaires. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of using surveys for studying juveniles.

Accepted Answer

The use of surveys to study juveniles ha

Question 7

Give a plausible example of an association that may be caused by a third variable.

Accepted Answer

A plausible example of an association th

Question 8

Which of the following statements is TRUE with regard to the causes of delinquency?

Accepted Answer

A)  Delinquency results from the social environment, never from individual traits. 
B)  Delinquency is largely caused by a few key variables, like media violence and lack of religion. 
C)  Most of the causes of delinquency are related to one another. 
D)  The causes of delinquency often operate in isolation from one another. 
A)  Delinquency results from the social environment, never from individual traits. 
B)  Delinquency is largely caused by a few key variables, like media violence and lack of religion. 
C)  Most of the causes of delinquency are related to one another. 
D)  The causes of delinquency often operate in isolation from one another.

Question 9

Provide an example of a positive association and a negative association. Draw a line graph illustrating these associations.

Accepted Answer

A positive association is when two varia

Question 10

Criminologists often study juveniles through field studies. Describe the main components of field studies and list the strengths and weaknesses of using field studies.

Accepted Answer

Field studies in criminology involve res

Question 11

In order to determine whether media violence causes delinquency, one needs to determine whether the association is due to:

Accepted Answer

A)  chance 
B)  other variables 
C)  the effect of delinquency on time spent watching media violence 
D)  all of the above 
A)  chance 
B)  other variables 
C)  the effect of delinquency on time spent watching media violence 
D)  all of the above

Question 12

In order to determine whether some independent variable causes delinquency, we must:

Accepted Answer

A)  determine if the independent variable is associated with delinquency 
B)  determine the probability that the association is due to chance 
C)  control for relevant third variables 
D)  determine if the independent variable precedes delinquency in time 
E)  all of the above 
A)  determine if the independent variable is associated with delinquency 
B)  determine the probability that the association is due to chance 
C)  control for relevant third variables 
D)  determine if the independent variable precedes delinquency in time 
E)  all of the above

Question 13

Drawing on the text, describe the five steps you would employ to determine whether media violence increases juvenile aggression.

Accepted Answer

1. Conduct a literature review: The firs

Question 14

When criminological researchers refer to the "causes" of crime and delinquency, what do they mean? Explain why "cause" is the appropriate term to use or why it is not an appropriate term. What would be another term that could be used instead of "cause"?

Accepted Answer

When criminological researchers refer to

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a negative association?

Accepted Answer

A)  As grades increase, delinquency increases. 
B)  As grades increase, delinquency decreases. 
C)  Grades have no association with delinquency. 
D)  The association between grades and delinquency differs between males and females. 
A)  As grades increase, delinquency increases. 
B)  As grades increase, delinquency decreases. 
C)  Grades have no association with delinquency. 
D)  The association between grades and delinquency differs between males and females.

Question 16

In order to generalize to a population, you want a sample that is:

Accepted Answer

A)  unobtrusive 
B)  valid 
C)  representative 
D)  reliable 
A)  unobtrusive 
B)  valid 
C)  representative 
D)  reliable

Question 17

In the theoretical statement "Television violence causes violent delinquency," television violence is the:

Accepted Answer

A)  dependent variable 
B)  independent variable 
C)  third variable 
D)  conditioning variable 
E)  random variable 
A)  dependent variable 
B)  independent variable 
C)  third variable 
D)  conditioning variable 
E)  random variable

Question 18

Describe why researchers do not make greater use of experiments when testing theories of delinquency.

Accepted Answer

There are several reasons why researcher

Question 19

Does "free will" or free choice play a role in criminological research? Defend your answer and provide an example.

Accepted Answer

Yes, "free will" or free choice does pla

Question 20

Provide at least two reasons why it is important to study theories of delinquency.

Accepted Answer

Studying theories of delinquency is impo

Exam 5: What Is a Theory and How Do We Test Theories

A researcher finds that stress is most likely to lead to delinquency among juveniles who have little social support. Social support is the:

According to Agnew and Brezina, it is important to study theories of delinquency because:

Add a conditioning variable to your theory. Be sure to describe how this variable conditions the effect of your independent variable.

A researcher states that the probability that the association between two variables is due to chance is less than 1%. This means that:

One of the best ways to determine if a theory of delinquency is correct is to:

The most common way to study juveniles is to interview them or have them complete questionnaires. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of using surveys for studying juveniles.

Give a plausible example of an association that may be caused by a third variable.

Which of the following statements is TRUE with regard to the causes of delinquency?

Provide an example of a positive association and a negative association. Draw a line graph illustrating these associations.

Criminologists often study juveniles through field studies. Describe the main components of field studies and list the strengths and weaknesses of using field studies.

In order to determine whether media violence causes delinquency, one needs to determine whether the association is due to:

In order to determine whether some independent variable causes delinquency, we must:

Drawing on the text, describe the five steps you would employ to determine whether media violence increases juvenile aggression.

When criminological researchers refer to the "causes" of crime and delinquency, what do they mean? Explain why "cause" is the appropriate term to use or why it is not an appropriate term. What would be another term that could be used instead of "cause"?

Which of the following is an example of a negative association?

In order to generalize to a population, you want a sample that is:

In the theoretical statement "Television violence causes violent delinquency," television violence is the:

Describe why researchers do not make greater use of experiments when testing theories of delinquency.

Does "free will" or free choice play a role in criminological research? Defend your answer and provide an example.

Provide at least two reasons why it is important to study theories of delinquency.

What Is Delinquency and How Does It Differ From Adult Crime

How Is Delinquency Measureding the Extent of Rape

How Much Delinquency Is There, and Is Delinquency Increasing

Who Is Most Likely to Engage in Delinquency

Strain Theory

Social Learning Theory

Control Theory

Labeling Theory

The Life Course

Is Delinquency More Likely in Certain Types of Situations

Group Differences in Delinquency

Individual Traits

The Family

The School

Delinquent Peers and Gangs

Other Social Influences

Pulling It All Together

Policies and Programs

The Police

Juvenile Court and Corrections

The Juvenile Justice System

The Strategies of Deterrence and Incapacitation

The Strategies of Prevention and Rehabilitation

What Should We Do to Reduce Delinquency

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