Deck 5: Approaches to Criminological Theory

Question 1

Which of the following theories follows a rational actor model of crime?

A) Labelling theory
B) Ecological explanations
C) Routine activities theory
D) Positivism

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a theory that follows a pre-destined actor model of crime?

A) Alienation and anomie
B) Biological explanations
C) Ecological explanations
D) Conflict theory

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the focus of theories following a pre-destined actor model of crime?

A) Crime/criminal behaviour can be explained as rational choices made by the offender
B) Crime/criminal behaviour can be explained as the product of environmental and/or biological factors
C) Crime/criminal behaviour can be explained as solely biologically driven
D) Crime/criminal behaviour can be explained as socially generated, and reflective of existing power structures

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the ecological explanation of crime?

A) Crime/criminal behaviour is caused by the physical and social landscape in cities and neighbourhoods
B) Crime/criminal behaviour is caused by biological predispositions
C) Crime/criminal behaviour is caused by crime opportunities
D) Crime/criminal behaviour is caused by the labelling of certain acts as criminal as part of wider power structures

Question 5

Which of the following best describes conflict theories of crime?

A) Crime/criminal behaviour is caused by the physical and social landscape in cities and neighbourhoods
B) Crime/criminal behaviour is caused by biological predispositions
C) Crime/criminal behaviour is caused by crime opportunities
D) Crime/criminal behaviour is caused by the labelling of certain acts as criminal as part of wider power structures

Question 6

Which of the following best describes 'Differential Association' as used in the context of sub-cultural theories of crime

A) Crime is socially constructed
B) Those who offend make rational decisions to do so
C) Association with those who commit a crime will make someone less likely to commit crime themselves
D) Criminal behaviour is learnt through social relations and acceptance/rejection from certain social groups

Question 7

Which of the following descriptions of theories following the rational actor model is unique to the routine activities theory?

A) Punishment should fit the crime
B) Focus on prevention and limiting opportunities for crime, rather than trying to explain it
C) Despite there being a rational choice to offend, external factors (age, location, etc.) can influence how rational the choice appears to the potential offender
D) Offenders make a rational choice to commit a crime

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of positivist criminology?

A) Criminality is the result of opportunities to commit crime
B) Criminality is the result of rational choices to commit crime
C) Criminality is the result of some kind of mental illness or disturbance
D) Criminality is the result of labelling of certain acts as criminal as part of wider power structures

Question 9

Which of the following defines anomie?

A) Gaining wealth through illegitimate means
B) Being part of a sub-culture
C) A state of disjuncture between the dominant goals of society and the legitimate means of achieving them
D) A state of acceptance of the dominant goals of society and the legitimate means of achieving them

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the victimised actor model of crime?

A) Crime and delinquency the result of opportunities to commit crime
B) Crime and delinquency are socially generated and reflective of societal power structures
C) Crime and delinquency are the product of environmental and/or biological factors
D) Crime and delinquency are caused by the physical and social landscape in cities and neighbourhoods