Deck 2: The Nature and Extent of Delinquency

Question 1

Reporting practices of local law enforcement agencies are not of concern when considering the validity of the UCR.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

According to official statistics, minority youths are arrested for serious criminal behavior at a rate that is proportionate to their representation in the population. ​

Answer 2

False

Question 3

When considering the validity of self-report studies, researchers do not consider the phenomenon of missing cases to be of concern.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

NCVS data tells us that teenage victimization is interracial.

Question 5

The concept of the chronic offender is most closely associated with the research efforts of Mark Lipsey and associates.

Question 6

Of the crimes committed by delinquents, 71% of the homicides, 82% of the robberies, and 64% of the aggravated assaults are committed by the chronic 6%.

Question 7

After adolescence, age is inversely related to criminality; as youthful offenders mature, their offending rates decline. ​

Question 8

The age at which youths begin their delinquent careers is called the age of onset.

Question 9

NCVS data indicate that the number of people who break the law is, indeed, greater than the number projected by official statistics.

Question 10

As a means to deal with fear of peer rejection or loneliness, research indicates some kids turn to crime.

Question 11

While important, determining the true association between SES and delinquency is not necessarily critical to the study of delinquency.

Question 12

Meta-analysis refers to an analysis of collected findings from previously conducted scientific studies that address a particular problem, synthesizing the evidence, and using the collective evidence to address a particular scientific question.

Question 13

Most juvenile sex offenders are teenagers, but about 26% of those who come to the attention of law enforcement are younger than 12 years of age.

Question 14

While boys are far more likely to be victims of robbery, girls are far more likely to be victims of sexual assault.

Question 15

Children who engage in disruptive behaviors when they are 5 or 6 years old are most likely to exhibit disruptive behaviors throughout adolescence.

Question 16

Compatible information and data extracted and pooled together from data gathered from a number of previous studies is referred to as data mining.

Question 17

Disaggregated refers to analyzing the relationship between two or more independent variables while controlling for the influence of a dependent variable.

Question 18

The UCR uses three methods to express crime data.

Question 19

The most common crimes committed by male offenders are also the most common crimes committed by female offenders.

Question 20

A poor economy may actually aid in lowering delinquency rates because the opportunities available to youth to engage in criminal behavior are limited.

Question 21

You are interested in learning about substance abuse trends among American teens; what data source would best fit your interest?

A)National Crime Victims Survey (NCVS)
B)Uniform Crime Report (UCR)
C)National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)
D)Monitoring the Future survey (MTF)

Question 22

If you wanted to examine the changes in the number of juveniles arrested each year, the best source of this data would be found in which of the following?

A)Uniform Crime Report (UCR)
B)National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)
C)Monitoring the Future survey (MTF)
D)National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)

Question 23

It has been indicated that reporting practices in regard to self-report surveys may differ among racial, ethnic, and gender groups and that such differences can skew data, thereby providing misleading results.  In one study, which of the following reported results would align to gender/cultural reporting differences? ​

A)Boys were more willing to report drug use; Hispanic girls tended to underreport substance abuse
B)Girls were more willing to report drug use; African American boys tended to underreport substance abuse
C) Girls were more willing to report drug use; Hispanic girls tended to underreport substance abuse ​
D)Boys were more willing to report drug use; White girls tended to underreport substance abuse

Question 24

John's class was given the following equation:  Number of Reported Crimes / Total U.S. Population x 100,000. What does this equation compute? ​

A)Arson rate per 100,000
B)Juvenile crime rate per 100,000
C)Motor vehicle rate per 100,000
D)Crime rate per 100,000

Question 25

One area researchers have identified as correlated with delinquency is that of social problems; rates of delinquency increase as the level of social problems increases.  Delinquency rates, according to researchers, have been correlated with which of the following? ​

A)Unwed mothers
B)Single fathers
C) Unemployed mothers
D)Parents who are divorcing

Question 26

If the were task to locate a data source that included a nationally representative sample and respondents were to include individuals ages 12 through 18, which of the following would best meet this requirement?

A)National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)
B)Uniform Crime Report (UCR)
C)National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)
D)Monitoring the Future survey (MTF)

Question 27

While investigating Part I crimes you find that a little over 20% of all reported Part I crimes are cleared by one of the following methods.  What is that method?

A)Exceptional clearance
B)Dropped charges
C)Elimination of false reports
D)Arrests

Question 28

If the murder rate was 5 in 2011, this means that 4.7 people in how many were murdered during the calendar year 2011?

A)1,000
B)10,000
C)100,000
D)1 million

Question 29

Scholars in delinquency have identified a variety of factors that influence juvenile crime rates and trends; it was noted that a harbinger of future increases in the delinquency rate may be a sudden increase in which of the following areas?

A)Drug use
B)Curfew violations
C)Online bullying
D)School dropout rates

Question 30

Which of the following represents areas of the United States where victimization by juveniles occurs more often than in other parts of the United States? ​

A)Midwest and Northeast
B)Eastern and Southern
C)Southern and Western
D)Midwest and Western

Question 31

Your friend wants to investigate the nature and extent of delinquency.  Name the three best data sources for your friend to use in his or her investigation.

A)Official records, victim surveys, self-report surveys
B)Victim surveys, self-report surveys, official county records
C)Official records, secondary data sources, victim surveys
D)Official records, self-report surveys, state juvenile justice records

Question 32

In the text, it is reported that the latest data available show an estimated 12.4 million arrests were made in 2011.  Your assignment is to research trends in juvenile arrests and how juvenile arrests are reflected (i.e., higher, lower) in the overall crime rate. While increases and decreases in juvenile crime have been reported, you find that recent trends in juvenile crime ​

A)Exceed the general crime rate
B)Are lower than the general crime rate
C)Reflect the general crime rate
D)This information was not provided

Question 33

To complete the presentation, Wally must find a data source that includes a brief account of each incident as well as victim and offender information.  What report would be best for Wally to use?

A)National Crime Victims Survey (NCVS)
B) Uniform Crime Report (UCR) ​
C)National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)
D)Monitoring the Future survey (MTF)

Question 34

In looking at the different sources of data, you find that one source indicates Part I offenses and Part II offenses.  Which of the following releases their reports with these types of offenses?

A)National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)
B)National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)
C)Monitoring the Future survey (MTF)
D)Uniform Crime Report (UCR)

Question 35

It was determined that any criminal activities perpetrated by the respondents would, for obvious reasons, not be included.  It was also believed that forgetfulness, embarrassment, and/or fear might be problematic.  What type of error would this constitute?

A)Underreporting error
B)Question formatting error
C)Sampling error
D)Overreporting error

Question 36

Which of the following would best describe an error where the respondents were not a nationally representative sample?

A)Underreporting error
B)Question formatting error
C)Sampling error
D)Overreporting error

Question 37

In the text, it is reported that the latest data available show an estimated 12.4 million arrests were made in 2011.  Your assignment is to research trends in juvenile arrests and how juvenile arrests are reflected (i.e., higher, lower) in the overall crime rate.  Of the 12.4 million arrests made in 2011, what percentage of this total did you find to be juvenile arrests? ​

A)10%
B)11%
C)12%
D)13%

Question 38

The task was to identify potential problems associated with a data source.  One area of concern the group identified was the inclusion of misinterpreted events-for example, someone who lost his or her keys and reported the keys as stolen.  What type of error would this be known as?

A)Underreporting error
B)Sampling error
C)Overreporting error
D)Inadequate response format error

Question 39

The Monitoring the Future survey (MTF) is considered one of the most important ongoing self-report studies.  MTF surveys, with few exceptions, indicated self-reported teenage participation to be more stable than the trends reported in the UCR arrest data in what areas?

A)Theft, violence, and damage-related crimes
B)Violence, substance abuse, and damage-related crimes
C)Theft, violence, and substance abuse
D)Substance abuse, damage-related crimes, and violence

Question 40

An advertised position included the duty of compiling data received from local law enforcement agencies into the Uniform Crime Report.  What agency posted the advertised position?

A)Federal Bureau of Investigation
B)Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
C)Bureau of Justice Statistics
D)White House Commission on Crime and Delinquency

Question 41

Most juvenile sex offenders are teenagers; about 16% of those who come to the attention of the police are younger than what age? ​

Question 42

In their controversial work, researchers John J. Donohue III and Steven Levitt found what empirical evidence to which the recent drop in the delinquency rate can be attributed? ​

Question 43

Which of the following best aligns to the 1970s "discovery" regarding chronic youthful offenders? ​

A)A small number of youthful offenders commit a significant percentage of all serious crime
B)A small number of youthful offenders commit a small percentage of all serious crime
C)A large number of youthful offenders commit a significant percentage of all serious crime
D)A large number of youthful offenders commit a small percentage of all serious crime

Question 44

What is the research technique that employs graphic representations of crime data patterns? ​

Question 45

What data source indicates that the number of people who break the law is far greater than the number projected by official statistics? ​

Question 46

As part of a school project, Jack compared the rate of victimization between teens and people over the age of 65.  Jack was surprised when he learned that ​

A)as a teenager, Jack was 21 times more likely to be victimized than his grandparents.
B)as a teenager, Jack was 15 times more likely to be victimized than his grandparents.
C)as a teenager, Jack and his grandparents each have an equal chance of being victimized.
D)Jake's grandparents were 15 times more likely to be victimized than Jake.

Question 47

In looking at the UCR, what two areas can crime reporting practices significantly influence? ​

Question 48

What two factors stand out as encouraging recidivism? ​

Question 49

Which of the following would not be considered an individual risk factor? ​

A)Jack has ready access to weapons
B)Jill's antisocial behavior began at an early age
C)It was reported Jack has poor cognitive development
D)Jill is considered to have low behavioral inhibition

Question 50

Your friend wants to examine the life cycle of crime and delinquency, as research in this area can have a major influence in decision making at a higher level.  By examining this area, what does your friend hope to influence? ​

A)Policy at the state level
B)Theory regarding policy
C) Both theory and policy ​
D)Policy directed at juvenile ordinances

Question 51

Which of the following refers to an increased amount of social control imposed against the Black population because of the perceived threat by the White population based on an increase in the size of the Black population? ​

A)Institutional racism
B)Racial profiling
C)Racial threat theory
D)Racial fear theory

Question 52

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between weather and delinquent behavior? ​

A)Spring and summer provide the greatest opportunity for juveniles to commit.
B)More juvenile crime is committed during the fall months.
C)Juveniles commit more violent crime when the weather is warmer.
D)The frequency of violent acts such as sexual assault decline as the weather becomes colder.

Question 53

The report, written after another incident in school, stated that Jill had poor problem-solving and anger management skills, would not accept blame for her wrongdoings, and lacked impulse control.  What recommendation was proposed for Jill? ​

A)Jill be placed in preventive detention
B)Jill be locked in a juvenile detention facility
C)Jill should receive cognitive behavioral therapy
D)No action be taken at this time

Question 54

You are interested in studying youth who began engaging in disruptive behaviors at 5 and 6 years of age and continued to exhibit problematic behaviors throughout adolescence and into adulthood.  What, specifically, would you be investigating? ​

A)Age of onset phenomenon
B)Continuity of crime
C)Hard-core adolescent behaviors
D)Predictive analysis

Question 55

What research technique employs graphic representations of crime data patterns? ​

Question 56

The Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children Law, passed in 1996, requires states to pass some version of what law or risk the loss of federal aid? ​

A)Kayla's Law
B)Jessica's Law
C)Megan's Law
D)Jonathan's Law

Question 57

Of interest to delinquency scholars in juvenile justice victimization, what did the federal government sponsor to determine how many youth are victims each year and which adolescents are most likely to become victims of crime? ​

Question 58

A group of high school students were part of a sample who were asked to reveal their own participation in delinquent or criminal acts. What were the students asked to complete? ​

Question 59

Whose research is most closely aligned to concept of the chronic career offender?

A)The work of Sellin Thurston
B)The work of Marvin Wolfgang
C)The work of Mark Lipsey
D) The work of Steven Levitt ​

Question 60

What are gang members far more likely to posses than are non-gang members? ​

Question 61

Explain three of the secondary sources of delinquency data provided in the text.  Of these, which do you believe to be the most reliable?  Provide a rationale for your choice.  How do you believe these sources of data compare to "official sources" such as the UCR or NCVS?  Explain your position. ​

Question 62

Delinquency experts have identified a variety of social, economic, personal and demographic factors that influence juvenile crime trends. Identify and describe five of the nine listed influences as presented in the text.  Which of the influences you listed do you believe to have the most impact on delinquency?  Explain your position. ​

Question 63

According to the text, the African American family structure has been weakened by what two areas of marginalization? ​

Question 64

A crucial aspect of delinquency research is the measurement of what two areas associated with youth misbehavior? ​

Question 65

List the four childhood risk factors, along with descriptors identified as contributing to persistent delinquency.  Indicate which of these factors you would identify as the most important and provide a rationale for your choice. ​

Question 66

Discuss the concept of the chronic offender. Do you agree that early, repeated engagement in delinquency is the best predictor of future adult criminality? Do you think that "careers in delinquency" is an apropos descriptor for this group of youthful offenders?  Explain your position. ​

Question 67

Explain cognitive behavioral therapy and the effectiveness of the program.  What are your views on this treatment?  Do you agree with the claim that it addresses such areas as mood disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? What type of youth-adjudicated delinquent would be the ideal candidate for this type of treatment?  Provide a rationale for your views. ​

Question 68

As the size of the Black population increases, the perceived threat to the White population increases, resulting in a greater amount of social control imposed against African Americans by police.  What is this theory called? ​

Question 69

What two areas do some experts associate with the violent delinquency rate between 1980 and 1990? ​

Question 70

Discuss the juvenile arrest trends presented in the text. Do you feel this information is different than or the same as the information presented in the media?  Explain your position. ​

Question 71

It was reported that there has been an explosive growth of youth gangs in the United States; according to surveys, there are in excess of how many gang members in the United States? ​

Question 72

Discuss juvenile victimization trends. Be sure to include male/female victimization experiences, rates of serious crime experiences, and rates of increase or decline; also address juvenile reports of victimization.  Why do you think juveniles would report or not report being victims of crime?  Provide a rationale for your view. ​

Question 73

What does the MTF survey show regarding the offending differences between African American and White youths? ​

Question 74

What is the goal of data mining? ​

Question 75

Discuss the compatibility of the UCR, NCVS, and self-report data sources.  Assume that you are assigned a research project and one of the requirements of the assignment is that you use one of these data sources.  Which of these data sources would you be more inclined to use?  Provide a rationale for your choice. ​

Question 76

Discuss the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and delinquency. Be sure to include the points indicated in the text as clear-cut indicators of the relationship.  Do you agree or disagree that SES is related to delinquency?  Provide a rationale for your view. ​

Question 77

Weather may affect delinquent behavior in a number of ways; most delinquent acts, according to the text, occur in what two months of the year? ​

Question 78

One of the few approaches to interpersonal change validated by research is a treatment that focuses on patterns of thinking and the beliefs, attitudes, and values that underlie thinking.  What is the name of this program? ​

Question 79

Regardless of race, social class, intelligence, or any other social variable, people commit fewer crimes as they age; this is referred to as the aging out process.  Name the two other terms used to describe this phenomenon. ​

Question 80

List and describe three reasons experts provide as to why crime declines with age.  Which of the reasons do you find most viable?  Provide a rationale for your views. ​