Deck 3: Theories of Criminality and Crime

Question 1

Which of the following terms is used to describe frameworks consisting of a group of theories that propose similar explanation for a particular type of behavior?

A)positivism
B)feminism
C)theoretical paradigm
D)strain theory

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Until the 18th century, what was thought to be the cause of criminal behavior?

A)sociological factors
B)cultural factors
C)supernatural forces
D)psychological forces

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following did Robert Merton argue might cause normlessness?

A)racial homogeny
B)social change
C)poverty
D)economic opportunity

Answer 3

B

Question 4

According to Robert Merton, which of the following may cause people to feel strain?

A)a high turnover of residents in a neighborhood
B)lack of social change in an area
C)lack of opportunity to achieve economic goals
D)a racially homogenous neighborhood

Question 5

______ theorists argue that criminal behavior is related to culture and social class.

A)Critical
B)Control
C)Conflict
D)Social structure

Question 6

The two major schools of criminological thought are classical and ______.

A)social economy
B)learned behavior
C)positivism
D)biological evolutionism

Question 7

Which theorist is credited as the father of criminology?

A)Lombroso
B)Beccaria
C)Bentham
D)Comte

Question 8

A girl is adopted at birth.Shortly after the girl is adopted, one of her adopted parents is laid off.Because they are stressed, her adoptive parents become verbally and physically abusive.When the girl becomes an adult, she becomes a pharmacy technician and begins to use and sell prescription drugs illegally.Eventually, she seeks out contact with her biological parents and finds they have both been imprisoned due to illegal drug use and trafficking.What does this exemplify?

A)dual hazard prediction
B)social strain theory
C)existence of atavistic features
D)labeling theory

Question 9

According to theorists in the classical school of criminology, what purpose does punishment serve?

A)to avenge those hurt by criminal behavior
B)to deter criminal behavior
C)to rehabilitate criminals
D)to provide harsh consequences to violent offenders

Question 10

Which of the following statements reflects beliefs of the classical school of criminology?

A)People who commit criminal acts are possessed by supernatural forces.
B)People who are more intelligent are less likely to engage in criminal behavior.
C)Criminal behavior is caused by few opportunities for prosperity.
D)Criminal behavior is rational, and all people have the capacity to engage in criminal acts.

Question 11

Which of the following describes how socialization may impact a person's propensity to engage in criminal behavior?

A)A boy's biological parents engaged in crime, and he does as well.
B)A boy's biological parents did not engage in crime, and he does not either.
C)A boy's biological parents engaged in criminal activity, but his adoptive parents did not.He engages in criminal activity.
D)A boy's biological parents did not engage in criminal activity, but his adoptive parents did.He engages in criminal activity.

Question 12

Which theorist criticized the injustices in and arbitrariness of the administration of law and punishment and encouraged reforms to make laws more consistent and rational?

A)Lombroso
B)Beccaria
C)Bentham
D)Comte

Question 13

Theorists from which school sought to determine basic causes of crime, had strong faith in scientific experts, and believed in rehabilitating offenders rather than punishing them?

A)classical
B)neoclassical
C)Chicago
D)positivist

Question 14

Which refers to the presence of both natural and nurture criminogenic factors as a contributing factor to criminal behavior?

A)hierarchy rule
B)routine activity theory
C)social conflict theory
D)dual hazard prediction

Question 15

Studying criminology can be helpful in determining ways to ______.

A)understand human nature
B)apprehend criminals
C)increase rates of arrest
D)deter crime

Question 16

Which of the following traits did biologists once believe was caused by a "criminal" chromosome?

A)aggressive behavior
B)short stature
C)gregariousness
D)hormonal imbalances

Question 17

A person argues that criminal behavior occurs in communities with high population turnover and weakened core social institutions, such as poor schools.With which theory is this person most aligned?

A)strain theory
B)social disorganization theory
C)conflict theory
D)learning theory

Question 18

Cesare Lombroso used which term to describe characteristics of offenders?

A)atavistic
B)anomie
C)mesomorph
D)stigmata

Question 19

Which term refers to a state of normlessness that is central to strain theory?

A)anomie
B)anxiety
C)confusion
D)disorder

Question 20

Which of the following have researchers relied on to study the effect of nature and nurture on criminal behavior?

A)crime statistics
B)IQ tests
C)victimization surveys
D)adoption studies

Question 21

Reginald had to call in sick to work for many weeks due to a severe case of the flu.He has been chronically unemployed, so he becomes worried about losing his job and fears he will not be able to support himself.To begin saving money in case he does lose his job, Reginald begins to sell illegal copies of software he owns to other users online.Which theory of crime does this exemplify?

A)social disorganization theory
B)strain theory
C)learning theory
D)control theory

Question 22

______ theorists links capitalism to crime.

A)Social control
B)Labeling
C)Social conflict
D)Strain

Question 23

______ theory emphasizes gender involvement in crime.

A)Feminist
B)Social control
C)Labeling
D)Biological

Question 24

After his placement on juvenile probation for burglary, Mike's parents now call him a delinquent.His teachers whisper about it, and he hears them say he is going nowhere fast.Even other kids at school tell Mike he is a criminal.Mike is starting to think that's all he'll ever amount to.Mike's feelings are best explained by ______ theory.

A)control
B)labeling
C)social bond
D)social structure

Question 25

Social bond theory proposes that criminal behavior can be deterred when people have strong bonds with ______.

A)society
B)natural instincts
C)self-concept
D)incarcerated individuals

Question 26

According to differential association theory, a person becomes a criminal by ______.

A)living in a society without norms
B)learning criminal techniques from others
C)demonstrating a persistent pattern of law-breaking
D)establishing an internal identity as a criminal

Question 27

Which of the following is true regarding crimes committed by women over the past seven years?

A)property crimes committed by women have declined
B)rape crimes committed by women have declined
C)arrests of women have declined
D)drug abuse violations by women have declined

Question 28

Which of the following describes the moment a would-be robber announces his intention to rob his victim and establishes dominance over the victim?

A)tipping point
B)critical mass moment
C)moment of commitment
D)make or break moment

Question 29

The ______ theories of crime assume that opportunity is the root cause of crime.

A)social conflict
B)social process
C)environmental criminology
D)differential association

Question 30

Which social process theory notes that people acquire criminal skills and motivations from primary groups, such as family, friends, and peers?

A)strain theory
B)control theory
C)learning theory
D)labeling theory

Question 31

Which of the following does feminist theory attempt to explain in criminology?

A)why women are less likely to experience social strain than men
B)why women are more likely to have a criminal master status than men
C)why men are less likely to commit violent crimes than women
D)why men are more likely to engage in criminal activity than women

Question 32

Albert is a teenager who lives in a close-knit rural community of 3,000 people where everyone knows one another.He resides in a house with his parents and grandparents.A couple of kids from his school have talked about spray painting the back of the grocery store, but Albert knows the owner of the store and what a hardship it would be for the owner to clean up the mess.Albert talks the kids out of the plan in favor of meeting some friends to play basketball in the park.Albert's actions are best explained by ______ theory.

A)critical
B)social structure
C)labeling
D)control

Question 33

Freda Adler and Rita Simon proposed that increases in which area would cause increases in women engaging in criminal behavior?

A)birth rates
B)economic opportunity
C)marriage rates
D)property ownership

Question 34

Some feminist writers criticize Adler's work, stating that feminism has instead made female crime more ______.

A)prevalent
B)visible
C)violent
D)accepted

Question 35

______ theory is also called crime science.

A)Social conflict
B)Social process
C)Environmental criminology
D)Differential association

Question 36

Juanita is a teenager in high school.She is involved in many extracurricular activities at her school and spends the majority of her free time volunteering with a local nonprofit and spending time with her family.What conclusion might a control theorist make about Juanita?

A)She will not engage in crime because she has not learned criminal behavior from peers.
B)She will not engage in crime because she has strong bonds to society.
C)She will engage in crime because she works hard and sees little opportunity for advancement.
D)She will engage in crime because of emotional strain caused by her busy schedule.

Question 37

Which of the following reflects the assumptions of social conflict theory?

A)Criminal laws are designed by those in power to oppress those not in power.
B)Once identified as a criminal, a person will assume a deviant identity.
C)Regardless of environmental factors, anyone can learn to become a criminal.
D)People living in dysfunctional, normless environments will turn to crime.

Question 38

What did early social conflict theorists believe was the root of criminal behavior and deviance?

A)normless environment
B)supernatural influences
C)biological differences
D)group struggle

Question 39

During a discussion of causes of crime, Carmen notes that those who are more affluent control criminal legislation.Such control causes less powerful groups, such as ethnic and social minorities, to be apprehended and punished at higher rates than those who are members of the affluent group.With which theory does Carmen's opinion most align?

A)social control theory
B)strain theory
C)labeling theory
D)social conflict theory

Question 40

Janet begins working at a new office supply company as a salesperson.After a few months, she notices her colleagues routinely use and take inventory for personal use.At her previous job, this was considered stealing.When she asks a coworker, her coworker rationalizes the behavior by saying, "Well, with what they pay us, the company at least owes us free office supplies." Janet eventually begins to take office supplies for her personal use as well.Which of the following theories best explains Janet's actions?

A)learning theory
B)social disorganization theory
C)labeling theory
D)strain theory

Question 41

Strain theorists argue that crime is caused by a learned helplessness.

Question 42

Scholars in the first portion of the 20th century did research to determine whether individuals with a mesomorphic body type were more prone to criminal behavior.

Question 43

Courtney was caught shoplifting several tubes of lip-gloss from her favorite store.When asked why she stole the lip-gloss, she noted she did not think she would be caught since it was only a few tubes.Which is one of the five dimensions of criminal opportunity does Courtney note as reasoning for shoplifting?

A)high reward
B)low risk
C)excusable
D)provoke people

Question 44

According to one study, which of the following crimes in most symbolic of contemporary urban violence?

A)burglary
B)armed robbery
C)carjacking
D)assault

Question 45

Social conflict theories argue that the most powerful groups use the law to serve their needs and to oppress less powerful groups.

Question 46

______ theory is represented by the crime triangle.

A)Social conflict
B)Routine activity
C)Feminist
D)Labeling

Question 47

Positivist criminology viewed criminals as being controlled by free will.

Question 48

Classical criminologists argue that science can be used to discover the true causes of crime and to treat offenders.

Question 49

Labeling theory claims that when social rules are overly structured and strict, people will feel frustration and act out in criminal ways.

Question 50

Criminologists used theoretical paradigms to explain why crime occurs.

Question 51

The most difficult aspect of an armed robbery is the escape, when the robber must leave the scene before the victim raises the alarm.

Question 52

In his Essays on Crime and Punishments, Beccaria lamented the shift away from spiritualism and the belief that criminals are possessed by the devil and must be punished severely to save their immortal souls.

Question 53

Neoclassical criminologists argue that crime is grounded in the concept of rational choice, but views the accused as exempted from conviction if circumstances prevented the exercise of free will.

Question 54

One of the principles of classical criminology is that the criminal justice system should be predictable-the citizens know the laws and their punishments.

Question 55

Daniel burglarizes the home of his friend who is out of town and steals cash from a safe.When he is caught depositing the large sum of cash into his account, he is questioned by law enforcement.Daniel admits that his spouse was recently laid off and that he intended to pay the friend back as soon as he could.Which criminal dimension does Daniel note in his reasoning for committing the crime?

A)high reward
B)low risk
C)excusable
D)provoke people

Question 56

Control theorists argue that external pressures and the values of others mean nothing to those intent on engaging in criminal behavior.

Question 57

Describe the main principles of classical criminology.

Question 59

A law enforcement agency monitors daily user activity on certain websites to predict which users will be most likely to commit internet fraud.The ______ theory explains why law enforcement may choose this method of deterring criminal activity.

A)strain
B)routine activity
C)social control
D)labeling

Question 60

In which criminology theory would law enforcement focus on making crime less attractive to potential offenders?

A)situational crime prevention
B)routine activity theory
C)labeling theory
D)dual hazard prediction

Question 61

Lombroso believed that offenders were atavistic in nature.

Question 62

Weapons are used in most carjacking's.

Question 63

What is the underlying motive of armed robbery?

Question 64

What is the dual hazard prediction?

Question 65

How have adoption studies been helpful to researchers?

Question 66

According to routine activities theory, what three elements must converge in time and space in order for a crime to occur?

Question 67

Carjackers are motivated by opportunity and situational inducements.

Question 68

What do social conflict theorists argue?

Question 69

Burglars are motivated primarily by money in order to maintain their "high-living" lifestyle.

Question 70

What are carjackers motivated by?

Question 71

What is the basis of learning theory?

Question 72

Discuss the five dimensions of criminal opportunity and their effect on criminal behavior as outlined in the theory of situational crime prevention.

Question 73

Burglars go through "boom" and "bust" cycles.

Question 74

How did classical criminologists such as Beccaria believe punishment should be applied?

Question 75

How do criminologists use theoretical paradigms?

Question 76

What are the three main tenets of positivist criminology?

Question 77

Strain theory explains that crime occurs when people living in disadvantaged, dysfunctional, and generally normless families or communities feel as though legitimate opportunities for success and prosperity are out of reach.

Question 78

Armed robbers must maintain their control over their victims while increasing their distance from them.

Question 79

Until the 18th century, what was the belief about why individuals committed criminal acts?

Question 80

How did positivist criminologists such as Comte believe punishment should be applied?