Question 1

Rational choice involves weighing the benefits and consequences of committing a crime.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 2

Rational choice theory suggests people who commit crimes are irrational.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

Beccaria proposed three main elements of deterrence. Name these elements and, using your knowledge of contemporary criminal justice case processing as a guide, apply them to the following crimes: white collar crime, disorderly conduct, and first-degree homicide. Based on your description, which of the three crimes would experience the greatest deterrent effect?

Accepted Answer

Beccaria proposed three main elements of deterrence: certainty, severity, and celerity.

In the context of contemporary criminal justice case processing, these elements can be applied to different crimes as follows:

1. White collar crime: 
- Certainty: The likelihood of being caught and prosecuted for white collar crime is relatively low, which reduces the deterrent effect of this element.
- Severity: The potential penalties for white collar crime can be severe, including significant fines and lengthy prison sentences, which could serve as a deterrent for some individuals.
- Celerity: Case processing for white collar crime can be lengthy and complex, which may reduce the deterrent effect of swift punishment.

2. Disorderly conduct:
- Certainty: The likelihood of being caught and prosecuted for disorderly conduct can vary depending on the circumstances, but in general, there is a moderate level of certainty.
- Severity: Penalties for disorderly conduct can include fines and short-term imprisonment, which may serve as a moderate deterrent.
- Celerity: Case processing for disorderly conduct can be relatively swift, which could enhance the deterrent effect of this element.

3. First-degree homicide:
- Certainty: The likelihood of being caught and prosecuted for first-degree homicide is generally high, which increases the deterrent effect of this element.
- Severity: The potential penalties for first-degree homicide, including life imprisonment or the death penalty, are extremely severe, which could serve as a strong deterrent.
- Celerity: Case processing for first-degree homicide can be lengthy due to the complexity of the investigation and legal proceedings, which may reduce the deterrent effect of swift punishment.

Based on this analysis, first-degree homicide would experience the greatest deterrent effect, as all three elements of deterrence (certainty, severity, and celerity) are relatively high in this context.

Question 4

Routine activity theory suggests that decreases in crime are due to:

Accepted Answer

A)  A decrease in opportunity 
B)  An increase in capable guardians 
C)  A lack of motivated offenders 
D)  All of the above 
A)  A decrease in opportunity 
B)  An increase in capable guardians 
C)  A lack of motivated offenders 
D)  All of the above

Question 5

The death penalty is said to have a __________________ on homicide rates.

Accepted Answer

A)  Decreasing effect 
B)  Brutalization effect 
C)  Generalization effect 
D)  No effect 
A)  Decreasing effect 
B)  Brutalization effect 
C)  Generalization effect 
D)  No effect

Question 6

There are three components to routine activity theory: motivated offenders, a lack of capable guardians, and suitable targets. First, provide a definition for each component. Second, describe a victimization scenario that could be explained by routine activity theory.

Accepted Answer

Routine activity theory is a criminologi

Question 7

Theories that focus on the punishment of offenders are labeled:

Accepted Answer

A)  Positivistic theories 
B)  Macro theories 
C)  Classical theories 
D)  General theories 
A)  Positivistic theories 
B)  Macro theories 
C)  Classical theories 
D)  General theories

Question 8

At its evolution, classical theory was considered an alternative to the spiritual explanations of crime.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

According to the classical school, human nature is based on free will. Is it accurate to say that all humans possess free will? Using examples from recent headlines, support your answer with a concrete example of why absolute free will is possible or impossible.

Accepted Answer

According to the classical school of tho

Question 10

Opportunity theories posit that offenders are more likely to commit crime given the chance. This line of thinking is congruent with which school of thought:

Accepted Answer

A)  Positivist 
B)  Classical 
C)  Social contract 
D)  Chicago School 
A)  Positivist 
B)  Classical 
C)  Social contract 
D)  Chicago School

Question 11

According to Pogarsky and Piquero offenders may experience a "resetting effect." What is the "resetting effect" and does it apply to all types of criminals? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The "resetting effect" refers to the ide

Question 12

Deterrence theory supports the notion that punishments should be:

Accepted Answer

A)  Harsh enough to deter future offending 
B)  Meted out in private 
C)  More severe than the harm inflicted on society by the crime 
D)  Swift, certain, and appropriately severe 
A)  Harsh enough to deter future offending 
B)  Meted out in private 
C)  More severe than the harm inflicted on society by the crime 
D)  Swift, certain, and appropriately severe

Question 13

General deterrence aims to reduce crime among:

Accepted Answer

A)  All potential offenders 
B)  People who have offended before 
C)  Convicted offenders 
D)  18-25 year olds 
A)  All potential offenders 
B)  People who have offended before 
C)  Convicted offenders 
D)  18-25 year olds

Question 14

Strain theory has its roots in the classical school of criminological thinking.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Cesare Beccaria is considered the father of classical criminology.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Two study methodologies are used to examine the deterrent effect of imprisonment: cross-sectional and longitudinal. Describe each of these methods generally, and how they are applied to studies of the effects of imprisonment. Which method would result in stronger evidence?

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional studies involve collecti

Question 17

Beccaria believed that sanctions should be swift and a surprise.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Crime increased in the 1970s due to an increase in the availability of suitable crime targets and a lack of human supervision.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

The United States criminal justice system is based primarily on:

Accepted Answer

A)  Deterrence theory 
B)  Positivist theory 
C)  Punishment 
D)  Biological positivism 
A)  Deterrence theory 
B)  Positivist theory 
C)  Punishment 
D)  Biological positivism

Question 20

Closed-circuit television (CCT) is an example of a policy based in:

Accepted Answer

A)  Rational choice theory 
B)  Situational crime prevention theory 
C)  Social disorganization theory 
D)  Routine activity theory 
A)  Rational choice theory 
B)  Situational crime prevention theory 
C)  Social disorganization theory 
D)  Routine activity theory

Rational choice involves weighing the benefits and consequences of committing a crime.

Rational choice theory suggests people who commit crimes are irrational.

Routine activity theory suggests that decreases in crime are due to:

The death penalty is said to have a __________________ on homicide rates.

There are three components to routine activity theory: motivated offenders, a lack of capable guardians, and suitable targets. First, provide a definition for each component. Second, describe a victimization scenario that could be explained by routine activity theory.

Theories that focus on the punishment of offenders are labeled:

At its evolution, classical theory was considered an alternative to the spiritual explanations of crime.

According to the classical school, human nature is based on free will. Is it accurate to say that all humans possess free will? Using examples from recent headlines, support your answer with a concrete example of why absolute free will is possible or impossible.

Opportunity theories posit that offenders are more likely to commit crime given the chance. This line of thinking is congruent with which school of thought:

According to Pogarsky and Piquero offenders may experience a "resetting effect." What is the "resetting effect" and does it apply to all types of criminals? Why or why not?

Deterrence theory supports the notion that punishments should be:

General deterrence aims to reduce crime among:

Strain theory has its roots in the classical school of criminological thinking.

Cesare Beccaria is considered the father of classical criminology.

Two study methodologies are used to examine the deterrent effect of imprisonment: cross-sectional and longitudinal. Describe each of these methods generally, and how they are applied to studies of the effects of imprisonment. Which method would result in stronger evidence?

Beccaria believed that sanctions should be swift and a surprise.

Crime increased in the 1970s due to an increase in the availability of suitable crime targets and a lack of human supervision.

The United States criminal justice system is based primarily on:

Closed-circuit television (CCT) is an example of a policy based in:

Theory and Crime

Theory and Policy in Context

Biological Factors and Criminal Behavior

Psychological Factors and Criminal Behavior

Durkheim, Anomie, and Modernization

Strain Theories

Neighborhoods and Crime

Learning Theories

Control Theories

Conflict Criminology

Marxist, Postmodern, and Green Criminology

Gender and Crime

Developmental and Life-Course Theories

Integrated Theories

Filters

Exam 3: Classical Criminology

Rational choice involves weighing the benefits and consequences of committing a crime.

Rational choice theory suggests people who commit crimes are irrational.

Routine activity theory suggests that decreases in crime are due to:

The death penalty is said to have a __________________ on homicide rates.

There are three components to routine activity theory: motivated offenders, a lack of capable guardians, and suitable targets. First, provide a definition for each component. Second, describe a victimization scenario that could be explained by routine activity theory.

Theories that focus on the punishment of offenders are labeled:

At its evolution, classical theory was considered an alternative to the spiritual explanations of crime.

According to the classical school, human nature is based on free will. Is it accurate to say that all humans possess free will? Using examples from recent headlines, support your answer with a concrete example of why absolute free will is possible or impossible.

Opportunity theories posit that offenders are more likely to commit crime given the chance. This line of thinking is congruent with which school of thought:

According to Pogarsky and Piquero offenders may experience a "resetting effect." What is the "resetting effect" and does it apply to all types of criminals? Why or why not?

Deterrence theory supports the notion that punishments should be:

General deterrence aims to reduce crime among:

Strain theory has its roots in the classical school of criminological thinking.

Cesare Beccaria is considered the father of classical criminology.

Two study methodologies are used to examine the deterrent effect of imprisonment: cross-sectional and longitudinal. Describe each of these methods generally, and how they are applied to studies of the effects of imprisonment. Which method would result in stronger evidence?

Beccaria believed that sanctions should be swift and a surprise.

Crime increased in the 1970s due to an increase in the availability of suitable crime targets and a lack of human supervision.

The United States criminal justice system is based primarily on:

Closed-circuit television (CCT) is an example of a policy based in:

Theory and Crime

Theory and Policy in Context

Biological Factors and Criminal Behavior

Psychological Factors and Criminal Behavior

Durkheim, Anomie, and Modernization

Strain Theories

Neighborhoods and Crime

Learning Theories

Control Theories

Conflict Criminology

Marxist, Postmodern, and Green Criminology

Gender and Crime

Developmental and Life-Course Theories

Integrated Theories

Filters