Deck 3: Explaining White-Collar Crime: Traditional Criminological Theories

Question 1

Discuss the problems with self-control theory as it has been applied to white-collar crime.

Answer 1

Assumption that white-collar crime is rare: Studies estimate white-collar crime occurs somewhere between 10-15% per year; this is still likely very underestimated.
Assumption that people with high self-control always do the right thing: Many characteristics of self-control and associated abilities (e.g., foresight, persistence) would be related to success, and thus, opportunities to engage in white-collar crime.
Conceptualization of criminal opportunities and motivation: Motivation for white-collar offenders may come from fear of losing (not gaining) something.

Question 2

Compare and contrast two of the theories discussed in this chapter as they have been applied to white-collar crime. Which do you think is a better theory to use and why?

Answer 2

Possible theories: Anomie/strain; Differential Association theory; Control theory - self-control theory and social control theory; Rational Choice theory; Integrated theory

Question 3

Do scholars believe that white-collar criminals are psychopathic, or "wired" differently than non-offenders? Discuss.

Answer 3

There are many psychological factors that are associated with white-collar offenders and that are characteristics of psychopaths, including: moral insensitivity/flexibility, shrewd, ego-centricity, manipulativeness, narcissism. Further, 3% of corporate executives exhibit high levels of psychopathy, which is significantly higher than rates seen among the general population (1%), but lower than street criminals who are incarcerated (15%).

Question 4

Sutherland's theory of differential association holds that business people get involved in white-collar crime because:

A) They have psychological problems, such as being narcissistic
B) They are exposed to values or norms that excuse white-collar crime
C) They are under a lot of strain at work
D) They grew up in impoverished neighborhoods and are just trying to get to the top

Question 5

According to the textbook, street level crime:

A) Is never predictable
B) Is only bad if you get caught
C) Happens at a particular time and place
D) Is completely random

Question 6

The theory of differential association stipulates that criminal behavior is learned through associations with others.

Question 7

Regarding a theoretical approach to white-collar crime, Sutherland believed:

A) Businesses and employers created a culture that encouraged criminal behavior as a way to benefit the business
B) The stress of the occupation created incentives to engage in criminal behavior
C) As corporations are always trying to maximize profit, they succumb to trying to achieve this goal through criminal activities
D) White-collar criminals have low self-control and therefore engage in white-collar crime when the opportunity to do so arises
E) White-collar criminals are rational and will choose crime when the benefits to doing so outweigh the costs of crime

Question 8

As a theoretical approach to white-collar crime, strain theory stipulates that:

A) Businesses and employers create a culture that encouraged criminal behavior as a way to benefit the business
B) The stress of the occupation creates incentives to engage in criminal behavior
C) White-collar criminals have low self-control and therefore engage in white-collar crime when the opportunity to do so arises
D) White-collar criminals are rational and will choose crime when the benefits to doing so outweigh the costs of crime

Question 9

As a theoretical approach to white-collar crime, anomie theory stipulates that:

A) Businesses and employers create a culture that encouraged criminal behavior as a way to benefit the business
B) The stress of the occupation creates incentives to engage in criminal behavior
C) As corporations are always trying to maximize profit, they succumb to trying to achieve this goal through criminal activities
D) White-collar criminals have low self-control and therefore engage in white-collar crime when the opportunity to do so arises
E) White-collar criminals are rational and will choose crime when the benefits to doing so outweigh the costs of crime

Question 10

As a theoretical approach to white-collar crime, social and self-control theory stipulates that:

A) Businesses and employers create a culture that encouraged criminal behavior as a way to benefit the business
B) The stress of the occupation creates incentives to engage in criminal behavior
C) As corporations are always trying to maximize profit, they succumb to trying to achieve this goal through criminal activities
D) White-collar criminals have low self-control and therefore engage in white-collar crime when the opportunity to do so arises
E) White-collar criminals are rational and will choose crime when the benefits to doing so outweigh the costs of crime

Question 11

As a theoretical approach to white-collar crime, rational choice theory stipulates that:

A) Businesses and employers create a culture that encouraged criminal behavior as a way to benefit the business
B) The stress of the occupation creates incentives to engage in criminal behavior
C) As corporations are always trying to maximize profit, they succumb to trying to achieve this goal through criminal activities
D) White-collar criminals simply have low self-control and therefore engage in white-collar crime when the opportunity to do so arises
E) White-collar criminals are rational and will choose crime when the benefits to doing so outweigh the costs of crime

Question 12

According to the textbook, which factor(s) may explain why organizations engage in crime?

A) The degree of accountability of the organization
B) The objectivity of performance measures used by the organization
C) The ability to displace, change, or reduce the goals of the organization
D) All of the above
E) A and B only

Question 13

All goal-driven organizations are expected to engage in white-collar crime.

Question 14

Self-control theory is the most widely applied control theory to the study of white-collar criminals.

Question 15

According to Gottfredson and Hirschi's theory of low self-control, it can be expected that people with low self-control:

A) Have many opportunities for white-collar crime
B) Are unlikely to have white-collar occupations
C) Will be more likely to be white-collar offenders than common street offenders
D) None of the above

Question 16

According to the book, it is estimated that about 25% of corporations engage in accounting fraud each year.

Question 17

Unlike many street offenders, white-collar offenders have something (e.g., valuables, lifestyle) to lose.

Question 18

According to Braithwaite, ________ shaming increases corporate crime.

A) Reintegrative
B) Stigmatizing
C) Both reintegrative and stigmatizing
D) Neither reintegrative or stigmatizing

Question 19

Both the structure and enforcement of law influences opportunities for white-collar crime.

Question 20

Scholars have offered which of the following psychological factors as explanations for white-collar offenders' engagement in crime?

A) Moral insensitivity
B) Sense of superiority over the victim
C) Ambitions
D) Psychopathic traits
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 21

The rate of psychopathy is higher among people in leadership positions within corporations than among the general population.

Question 22

Most white-collar offenders see themselves as "offenders" and their behaviors as "crimes."