Deck 5: Theories of Crime

Question 1

Which early theorist proposed that the punishment for criminal behavior should outweigh the potential gains of committing the crime?

A) Edwin Southerland
B) Cesare Beccaria
C) Charles Darwin
D) Cesare Lombroso

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Jeremy Bentham developed the idea of _______, which assumes that human behaviors are associated with pain and pleasure.

A) equilibrium
B) atavism
C) federalism
D) utilitarianism

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which approach is based on rational choice theory and involves identifying ways to deter crime by reducing opportunities to commit crimes?

A) Atavism
B) Utilitarianism
C) Situational crime prevention
D) Differential association structuration

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Sociological theories are often categorized according to whether they address social structure, social processes, or social

A) conflict.
B) distortion.
C) enforcement.
D) legality.

Question 5

Emile Durkheim introduced which term that refers to a sense of normlessness, in which a breakdown of society's norms results in a feeling of strain?

A) Anomie
B) Repartition
C) Atavism
D) Narcissism

Question 6

Robert found that he was unsuited for some of the more traditional gangs in his neighborhood. Instead, he joined this type of gang, which is known for its members resorting to drug and alcohol use.

A) Brandish
B) Demoralizer
C) Outcast
D) Retreatist

Question 7

Control theorist Travis Hirschi noted that a series of bonds help restrict individuals from behaving badly. The bonds include attachment, commitment, involvement, and

A) certainty.
B) belief.
C) recklessness.
D) ignorance.

Question 8

Some biological theorists have proposed that criminal traits and predispositions are genetically passed from parents to their children.

Question 9

According to Freud, the superego is the section of the mind that is interested in immediate gratification and pleasure.

Question 10

Biological explanations of crime have been the most prominent body of criminological theories since the 1920s.

Question 11

Social disorganization theory considers the crime-related effects of the disintegration of conventional values and beliefs often caused by increased levels of industrialization, urbanization, and immigration.

Question 12

Labeling theory proposes that acts are recognized as deviant when individuals or groups deem them as such.

Question 13

Marxist theory is based on the work of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and generally views crime as the result of a socialist system that exploits the working underclass.

Question 14

Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory of crime is considered a developmental theory because it modifies social control theory to incorporate biosocial, psychological, routine activities, and rational choice theories.

Question 15

Which body of criminological thought do you believe best explains the following criminal acts? Be sure to provide justification for your response.
A young man steals a car to go joyriding.
A woman with no income decides to start selling drugs.
A serial killer murders his eighth victim.
A businesswoman decides to steal money from her company.

Question 16

Compare and contrast latent trait theories with life course theories. Should the occurrence of difficult life events impact how our justice system treats offenders? Why or why not?