Exam 4: Choice Theory: Because They Want to

Rational choice theory has roots in the __________ school of criminology developed by the Italian social thinker, Cesare Beccaria.

Certain anti-crime measures have greater impact on some individuals than others. These people are considered more:

The concept behind rational choice theory is that crime is a function of a decision-making process in which the potential offender weighs the potential costs and benefits of an illegal act.

The rationale for using "three strikes" sentencing policies relies on:

When video cameras set up in a mall to reduce shoplifting also reduce property damage due to vandalism, this situational crime prevention benefit is termed:

Economist Steven Levitt concludes that each person put behind prison bars results in a decrease of ___ serious crimes per year.

The concept of situational crime prevention suggests that desperate people may contemplate crime, but only the truly ____ will attack a well-defended, inaccessible target and risk strict punishment.

Situational crime prevention may produce unforeseen and unwanted consequences. Discuss what is meant by displacement, extinction, and replacement.

Crime is ________ because criminals will react selectively to the characteristics of an individual criminal act.

Sociologist Jack Katz argues that there are situational inducements to criminality that directly precede the commission of crime and draw offenders into law violations. Katz termed these inducements the:

How do certainty, severity, and speed of punishment impact general deterrence? How does the criminal justice system support or hamper these general deterrence factors?

There is little evidence that incapacitating criminals will deter them from future criminality.

Research on the immediate impact of well-publicized executions:

Diffusion of benefits occurs when efforts to prevent one crime unintentionally prevent another.

Incapacitation theory suggests that placing offenders behind bars during their prime crime years should reduce their lifetime opportunity to commit crime. Not all criminologists buy into this incapacitation effect. Discuss why this is so.

Which of the following is a reason why some critics say it is premature to embrace three strikes policies?

Which of the following circumstances would prompt an offender to decide to forgo crime?

Auto thieves are not selective in their choice of target since all cars can be stripped for their valuable parts.

Edgework is the excitement or exhilaration of successfully executing illegal activities in dangerous situations.

What is known about police and certainty of punishment?