Question 1

Very few criminologists today view the disadvantaged economic class position as a primary cause of crime.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 2

Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin argue that the opportunity or success in both conventional and criminal careers is limited.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

Sociologist Robert Merton applied the sociological concepts first identified by Emile Durkheim to criminology in his theory of anomie. Discuss this theory, and then evaluate it.

Accepted Answer

Robert Merton's theory of anomie, also known as strain theory, is based on the work of Emile Durkheim and applies sociological concepts to criminology. Merton argued that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals, such as wealth and success, but not everyone has the means to achieve these goals through legitimate means. This creates a state of anomie, or normlessness, where individuals may turn to deviant or criminal behavior in order to achieve these goals.

Merton identified five possible ways that individuals may respond to the strain of anomie: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. Conformity involves accepting both the goals and the means to achieve them, while innovation involves accepting the goals but rejecting the legitimate means and turning to crime. Ritualism involves rejecting the goals but continuing to follow the legitimate means, while retreatism involves rejecting both the goals and the means and withdrawing from society. Rebellion involves rejecting both the goals and the means and seeking to replace them with alternative goals and means.

Merton's theory has been influential in understanding the relationship between social structure and crime. It highlights the role of social expectations and opportunities in shaping criminal behavior, and it emphasizes the importance of considering the broader social context when studying crime. However, the theory has also been criticized for its focus on individual responses to strain, and for not adequately addressing the role of power and inequality in shaping opportunities for success. Additionally, some argue that the theory may not fully explain all forms of criminal behavior, as it primarily focuses on economic goals and means.

In conclusion, Merton's theory of anomie has been an important contribution to criminology, as it highlights the impact of social structure on criminal behavior. However, it is important to consider its limitations and to continue to explore the complex and multifaceted nature of crime and deviance.

Question 4

Describe the cultural hardships experienced by Canadian immigrants, visible minorities, and Aboriginals. Examine the potential cost and social consequences should these conditions remain unchanged. Explain what factors should significantly influence social policy as preventative measures in the criminal justice system.

Accepted Answer

The cultural hardships experienced by Ca

Question 5

Cultural deviance theory combines elements of both strain and differential opportunity theories.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Not everyone who experiences strain will resort to criminal behaviour.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

What is the impact of social welfare programs providing financial assistance directly to individuals and families in need?

Accepted Answer

A) decreased drug use 
B) lower crime rates 
C) higher school attendance 
D) lower employment rates 
A) decreased drug use 
B) lower crime rates 
C) higher school attendance 
D) lower employment rates

Question 8

Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay's work identified linkages between crime rates and various zones within urban centres. Which zones did Shaw and McKay identify as having the highest crime rates?

Accepted Answer

A) suburban and rural zones 
B) inner-city and suburban zones 
C) inner-city and transitional zones 
D) transitional and suburban zones 
A) suburban and rural zones 
B) inner-city and suburban zones 
C) inner-city and transitional zones 
D) transitional and suburban zones

Question 9

How is poverty measured in Canada?

Accepted Answer

A) A ratio of goods produced to goods purchased is used. 
B) Low-income cut-offs are used as a reference point. 
C) Comparisons of average incomes between countries are used. 
D) It is based on a floating number determined by the party in power. 
A) A ratio of goods produced to goods purchased is used. 
B) Low-income cut-offs are used as a reference point. 
C) Comparisons of average incomes between countries are used. 
D) It is based on a floating number determined by the party in power.

Question 10

Which initiative is an example of community engagement in the community policing model?

Accepted Answer

A) gated communities 
B) mandatory curfews 
C) an increased police presence 
D) a neighbourhood association 
A) gated communities 
B) mandatory curfews 
C) an increased police presence 
D) a neighbourhood association

Question 11

In terms of quality of life, the group of Canadians most impacted by poverty is the elderly.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

In each culture there is a group of people that is unable to function successfully because they lack middle-class values, supports, and economic status. What term refers to this group?

Accepted Answer

A) the underclass 
B) the lower class 
C) throwaways 
D) cultural deviants 
A) the underclass 
B) the lower class 
C) throwaways 
D) cultural deviants

Question 13

Rapidly changing neighbourhoods are more likely to have higher crime rates than slower changing neighbourhoods.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Sally did well in high school and later attended university. She has a job and a family and volunteers at the local food bank. Sally has never broken the law. According to Robert Merton, which strategy for social adaptation is Sally using?

Accepted Answer

A) conformity 
B) innovation 
C) ritualism 
D) retreatism 
A) conformity 
B) innovation 
C) ritualism 
D) retreatism

Question 15

What did Albert Cohen's research into delinquent subcultures reveal about how criminals organize themselves and why?

Accepted Answer

A) Those who are unable to achieve middle-class goals develop their own culture with a set of roles, norms, and values within which they can succeed. 
B) Young people develop relationships with other teens that have already been in conflict with the law and this frustrates police efforts to maintain law and order. 
C) Criminals live in low-income neighbourhoods with other criminals and this forces the closure of businesses and any other legitimate means of income. 
D) Criminals associate in cultural groups which allows them to have a larger voice in the mainstream culture. 
A) Those who are unable to achieve middle-class goals develop their own culture with a set of roles, norms, and values within which they can succeed. 
B) Young people develop relationships with other teens that have already been in conflict with the law and this frustrates police efforts to maintain law and order. 
C) Criminals live in low-income neighbourhoods with other criminals and this forces the closure of businesses and any other legitimate means of income. 
D) Criminals associate in cultural groups which allows them to have a larger voice in the mainstream culture.

Question 16

Sociologist Robert Agnew's general strain theory helps identify the micro- or individual-level influences of strain.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Steven Messner and Richard Rosenfeld's institutional anomie theory is an updating of Robert Merton's work. Explain how this theory differs from Merton's.

Accepted Answer

Steven Messner and Richard Rosenfeld's i

Question 18

Which one of the following concepts is the centrepiece of Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin's theory that lower-class youths join gangs in order to belong and feel successful?

Accepted Answer

A) relative deprivation 
B) differential association 
C) differential opportunity 
D) anomie 
A) relative deprivation 
B) differential association 
C) differential opportunity 
D) anomie

Question 19

In 1987, William Julius Wilson provided a description of the plight of the lowest levels of the underclass, which he labelled the truly disadvantaged.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Findings suggest that poverty during early childhood may have a more severe impact than poverty experienced during adolescence.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Very few criminologists today view the disadvantaged economic class position as a primary cause of crime.

Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin argue that the opportunity or success in both conventional and criminal careers is limited.

Sociologist Robert Merton applied the sociological concepts first identified by Emile Durkheim to criminology in his theory of anomie. Discuss this theory, and then evaluate it.

Cultural deviance theory combines elements of both strain and differential opportunity theories.

Not everyone who experiences strain will resort to criminal behaviour.

What is the impact of social welfare programs providing financial assistance directly to individuals and families in need?

Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay's work identified linkages between crime rates and various zones within urban centres. Which zones did Shaw and McKay identify as having the highest crime rates?

How is poverty measured in Canada?

Which initiative is an example of community engagement in the community policing model?

In terms of quality of life, the group of Canadians most impacted by poverty is the elderly.

In each culture there is a group of people that is unable to function successfully because they lack middle-class values, supports, and economic status. What term refers to this group?

Rapidly changing neighbourhoods are more likely to have higher crime rates than slower changing neighbourhoods.

Sally did well in high school and later attended university. She has a job and a family and volunteers at the local food bank. Sally has never broken the law. According to Robert Merton, which strategy for social adaptation is Sally using?

What did Albert Cohen's research into delinquent subcultures reveal about how criminals organize themselves and why?

Sociologist Robert Agnew's general strain theory helps identify the micro- or individual-level influences of strain.

Steven Messner and Richard Rosenfeld's institutional anomie theory is an updating of Robert Merton's work. Explain how this theory differs from Merton's.

Which one of the following concepts is the centrepiece of Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin's theory that lower-class youths join gangs in order to belong and feel successful?

In 1987, William Julius Wilson provided a description of the plight of the lowest levels of the underclass, which he labelled the truly disadvantaged.

Findings suggest that poverty during early childhood may have a more severe impact than poverty experienced during adolescence.

Crime and Criminology

The Nature and Extent of Crime

Victims and Victimization

Choice Theory: Because They Want to

Trait Theory: ITS in Their Blood

Socialization and Crime

Social Conflict Theory: ITS a Dog:eat:dog World

Integrated Theories: Things Change

Violent Crime

Property Crimes

White: Collar and Organized Crime

Public Order Crimes

Filters

Exam 6: Social Structure Theories

Very few criminologists today view the disadvantaged economic class position as a primary cause of crime.

Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin argue that the opportunity or success in both conventional and criminal careers is limited.

Sociologist Robert Merton applied the sociological concepts first identified by Emile Durkheim to criminology in his theory of anomie. Discuss this theory, and then evaluate it.

Cultural deviance theory combines elements of both strain and differential opportunity theories.

Not everyone who experiences strain will resort to criminal behaviour.

What is the impact of social welfare programs providing financial assistance directly to individuals and families in need?

Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay's work identified linkages between crime rates and various zones within urban centres. Which zones did Shaw and McKay identify as having the highest crime rates?

How is poverty measured in Canada?

Which initiative is an example of community engagement in the community policing model?

In terms of quality of life, the group of Canadians most impacted by poverty is the elderly.

In each culture there is a group of people that is unable to function successfully because they lack middle-class values, supports, and economic status. What term refers to this group?

Rapidly changing neighbourhoods are more likely to have higher crime rates than slower changing neighbourhoods.

Sally did well in high school and later attended university. She has a job and a family and volunteers at the local food bank. Sally has never broken the law. According to Robert Merton, which strategy for social adaptation is Sally using?

What did Albert Cohen's research into delinquent subcultures reveal about how criminals organize themselves and why?

Sociologist Robert Agnew's general strain theory helps identify the micro- or individual-level influences of strain.

Steven Messner and Richard Rosenfeld's institutional anomie theory is an updating of Robert Merton's work. Explain how this theory differs from Merton's.

Which one of the following concepts is the centrepiece of Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin's theory that lower-class youths join gangs in order to belong and feel successful?

In 1987, William Julius Wilson provided a description of the plight of the lowest levels of the underclass, which he labelled the truly disadvantaged.

Findings suggest that poverty during early childhood may have a more severe impact than poverty experienced during adolescence.

Crime and Criminology

The Nature and Extent of Crime

Victims and Victimization

Choice Theory: Because They Want to

Trait Theory: ITS in Their Blood

Socialization and Crime

Social Conflict Theory: ITS a Dog:eat:dog World

Integrated Theories: Things Change

Violent Crime

Property Crimes

White: Collar and Organized Crime

Public Order Crimes

Filters