Deck 15: Integrated Theories

Question 1

Integrated theories pit two or more theories against each other in an empirical test for accuracy.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

A concern with integrated theories is the potential for competing assumptions about human behavior.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Integration is a way to increase the number of criminological theories.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Integrating theories can require modifications of the original theories being integrated.

Question 5

Under Colvin's coercion theory, coercion is said to occur when one is compelled to act in a certain way through direct force or intimidation from others through the pressure of impersonal economic or social forces.

Question 6

Tittle argues that a theory should answer a broad range of deviant behaviors.

Question 7

Social support should increase crime, while coercion reduces criminal behavior.

Question 8

Restorative justice policies align with control balance theory.

Question 9

Micro theories are essential to the explanation of crime rates.

Question 10

Agnew's general theory is not testable because the sheer number of variables could overwhelm a statistical package.

Question 11

Elliott and colleagues integrate which theories to explain drug use?

A) Labeling, social learning, gender
B) Anomie, self-control, differential association
C) Deterrence, ecology, cultural deviance
D) Strain, control, social learning

Question 12

An argument in favor of integration suggests that falsification failed to:

A) Increase the number of criminological theories
B) Increase explained variance
C) Reduce crime through policy
D) Determine the cause of crime

Question 13

Elliott argues that theoretical competition is unnecessary because:

A) Different theories explain different variances in crime
B) All theories explain why crime occurs
C) No one theory is accurate
D) Predictive power is tied to parsimony

Question 14

John Braithwaite indicates that there are two types of shaming. These are:

A) Reintegrative and disintegrative
B) Disintegrative and stigmatizing
C) Stigmatizing and wholesome
D) Remorse and conforming

Question 15

According to Colvin's theory of crime and coercion, individuals are more likely to engage in predatory street crime if they experience:

A) Coercive / erratic control
B) Non-coercive / erratic control
C) Coercive / consistent control
D) Non-coercive / consistent control

Question 16

Tittle's control balance theory proposes that crime is a function of:

A) Internal self-control
B) External social controls
C) Informal social controls over the life course
D) Control exerted by others and self

Question 17

Policy implications from the integration of social support and coercive control theories include:

A) Improving parenting effectiveness
B) Decreasing association with deviant peers
C) Increasing self-control
D) Eliminating drug use

Question 18

Bernard and Snipes argue that theories should be evaluated in terms of their:

A) Validity
B) Usefulness
C) Reliability
D) Parsimony

Question 19

A newer approach to assessing theories, _______________, relies on structured probabilities.

A) Risk factor
B) Falsification
C) Competition
D) Integration

Question 20

Bernard and Snipes argue there are two types of theories, individual difference theories and:

A) Micro level theories
B) Structure/process theories
C) Cultural deviance theories
D) Integrated theories

Question 21

How do integrated theories propose to reduce the number of viable theories in criminology?

Question 22

Why do some criminologists prefer falsification to integration?

Question 23

What are the six types of deviance according to Tittle's control balance theory? How are they defined (provide examples)? Are these reasonable constructs to measure deviance?

Question 24

Design an integrated theory to explain a specific type of crime (e.g., drug use, prostitution) or a general theory of crime. Which theories are essential to include in your theory? Which theories would not add explanatory value?

Question 25

Are micro-level theories or macro-level theories better at explaining crime? Pick a theory at each level (micro and macro) and describe how an integrated theory that incorporates both would explain criminal behavior or desistance from crime.

Question 26

What are the similarities and differences of individual theories and structure/process theories of crime?

Question 27

Describe the different levels addressed by Integrated Systems Theory. How is this integrated theory different from the individual components it combines in a unified theory? What are the challenges in testing this theory?

Question 28

How is a risk factor approach different from traditional criminological theory explanations of crime?

Question 29

Is integration a viable way to reduce the number of theories in criminology? Defend your position. What alternatives exist?

Question 30

Why does theory falsification require an "all or nothing" approach?