Question 1

How can each type of map be used to study criminological theory?

Accepted Answer

Students report that mapping material can improve their study habits and help them remember the theories and their concepts. However, each mapping approach can be used in different ways. One way to see the differences between the two is that mind maps might be more useful for understanding abstract ideas (e.g., philosophies and perspectives), for brainstorming, or studying, analyzing, or presenting related ideas. Concept maps might be more useful for organizing key aspects of a theory and then connecting these aspects to formal ideas, testable propositions, or criminal justice policies or practices.

Question 2

Mind maps tend to be more formal and structured than concept maps.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

In criminology, the word theory is often used interchangeably with philosophy, perspective, and approach.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

How are visual methods useful to understanding criminological theories?

Accepted Answer

A)  They help to clarify the role of research in revising, testing, and validating theories. 
B)  Maps and other diagrams can be useful study aids for students. 
C)  Visual methods can be used to help teach criminological theories. 
D)  None of the above. 
E)  All of the above.

Question 5

Make your own map of the seven steps of criminological thinking.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Make your own map of the seven...

Question 6

How are concept maps and mind maps similar and different?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How are concept maps and mind maps...

Question 7

Identify some challenges for criminological theories. How can they be addressed?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify some challenges for criminological theories. How...

Question 8

Criminological theories always carefully identify scope, problem focus, and level of explanation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

A concept map is:

Accepted Answer

A)  an informal diagram consisting of boxes and circles connected by lines and arrows. 
B)  a hierarchical graphical tool for organizing and representing the relationship between different concepts. 
C)  useful for illustrating complex abstract ideas in a free-flowing tree structure. 
D)  none of the above. 
E)  all of the above.

Question 10

In your own words, define criminological thinking.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In your own words, define criminological thinking....

Question 11

With regard to criminological theories, which of the following statements is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  Criminological theories focus on explaining a variety of phenomena, including crime rates, criminal behavior, and chronic offending. 
B)  Criminological theories have their own internal histories that are important to understand. 
C)  Criminological theories are never influenced by external factors such as historical events or political dynamics. 
D)  None of the above. 
E)  All of the above.

Exam 1: Basic Principles of Theorizing and Mapping