Deck 11: Conflict Criminology

Question 1

George Vold elaborated on Thorsten Sellin's culture conflict theory by stating that rather than a conflict occurring between immigrant and established cultures, conflict was occurring between various interest groups.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The main difference between conflict and Marxist/radical theories is that conflict theories focus on the struggle for power among groups, and Marxist/radical theories focus on the division of labor and ownership of the means of production among social classes.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

According to the consensus view of society, laws reflect the values shared by members of the community.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Interests ultimately determine society's values.

Question 5

Conduct norms are defined as primary cultural conflicts.

Question 6

Social order is a reflection of social consensus.

Question 7

Disorganized authorities have the most power and sophistication.

Question 8

Quinney's conflict theory only explains a portion of crime.

Question 9

Political power adds legitimacy to definitions of crime.

Question 10

According to Black, law is enacted most often between intimates.

Question 11

Richard Quinney said that there are two types of crimes; one is "crimes of accommodation". Crimes of accommodation are those that are committed by:

A) The lower class
B) The elite, ruling class
C) Both A& B
D) Neither A nor B

Question 12

One possible policy implication of conflict theories is to:

A) Criminalize non-violent crimes (e.g., drug use, prostitution)
B) Equalize the distribution of wealth, power, and status among society
C) Increase capitalist ideology
D) None of the above

Question 13

The most predominantly accepted view about how society works is:

A) Conflict
B) Marxist/radical
C) Critical
D) Consensus

Question 14

According to consensus theorists, the role of the state is to:

A) Mediate conflicts
B) Reduce peace
C) Encourage conflicts
D) Incite rebellion

Question 15

Groups are formed to further interests through:

A) Mediation
B) Collective action
C) Protest
D) Loyalty

Question 16

Lawmaking and law enforcement are a function of the:

A) Political nature of government
B) Minority power groups
C) Organic society
D) Balance between group and state interests

Question 17

According to conflict theorists, laws reflect the views of:

A) The public interest
B) Those with political and economic power
C) The majority of residents
D) Politicians

Question 18

Black's theory of law argues that the quantity of law:

A) Is stable across place
B) Varies over time
C) Spikes during election years
D) Reflects public opinion

Question 19

Minority threat theory suggests that increased social controls in an area are the result of:

A) Increased crime rates
B) Increased police presence
C) Increased political influence
D) Increased number of minorities

Question 20

Variables not relevant to criminal justice case processing are called:

A) Extra-legal factors
B) Offense characteristics
C) Legal definitions
D) Accumulation of effects

Question 21

Describe Quinney's segments of society and their different normative systems. Why do some segments commit more crime? What does this demonstrate about the development of laws and norms?

Question 22

Chambliss and Seidman state that "the power of the State is itself the principal prize in the perpetual conflict that is society." Using concrete examples, illustrate how this statement was evidenced in the criminal justice system in the 1970s and is present today.

Question 23

How is Black's theory of the behavior law applied to crime victims? How can law be a therapeutic agent for justice-involved individuals?

Question 24

Black states that "law is social control." Control theories were covered in-depth in Chapter 10. If law is indeed social control, how do conflict theories differ from control theories? Could control and conflict theories be examined jointly or are they best discussed separately? Why or why not?

Question 25

Black proposes to keep social information from criminal justice actors responsible for determining guilt and punishment. Describe how this policy could be implemented in the modern criminal justice system. What are the benefits and drawbacks to this type of system?

Question 26

The authors of the text propose a unified conflict theory of crime. Name the five components identified and describe how they comport to the definition of conflict theories.

Question 27

Evaluate the crack versus cocaine debate as an example of conflict theory in action. What was the primary issue in how crack and cocaine cases were processed? What was the role of disparity in demonstrating differences in the application of law?

Question 28

Using concrete examples from the criminal justice system (e.g., arrest, conviction, corrections), describe the differences between "differential offending" and "differential processing". How do these differences perpetuate inequality?

Question 29

What is the minority threat hypothesis? Evaluate the evidence from studies on minority threat hypothesis. Does the evidence support the presence of a minority threat in the US?

Question 30

Illustrate how society perpetuates the power and influence of a select few. Describe how this influence translates to differential enforcement of laws.