Question 1

According to latent trait theory, the propensity to commit crime is unstable, but the opportunity to commit crime remains stable over time.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

According to Wilson and Herrnstein's crime and human nature concept, how and why does crime happen?

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Question 3

Discuss the two distinct developmental viewpoints - life-course and latent trait theories.

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Question 4

Although criminal offenders are people predisposed to crime, they are not robots who commit crime without restraint. According to the general theory of crime, change in the frequency of criminal activity is a function of:

Accepted Answer

A) change in one's level of impulsivity. 
B) change in one's level of self-control. 
C) change in criminal opportunity. 
D) change in environmental conditions.

Question 5

Laub and Sampson identify life events that enable adult offenders to desist from crime. Accordingly, they identify transitions as short-term events embedded in:

Accepted Answer

A) trajectories. 
B) social capital. 
C) marital relationships. 
D) pathways.

Question 6

In their general theory of crime, Gottfredson and Hirschi consider the criminal offender and the criminal act as _______concepts.

Accepted Answer

A) separate 
B) balanced 
C) competing 
D) opposite

Question 7

Define and discuss Sampson and Laub's turning points in a criminal career. Include the concept of social capital in your response.

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Question 8

One of the key principles of life course theory is that:

Accepted Answer

A) high verbal ability during childhood predicts persistence. 
B) persistent offenders begin their offending careers in late adolescence. 
C) the earlier the onset of criminality, the more specialized and violent the criminal career. 
D) the seeds of a criminal career are planted early in life.

Question 9

Gottfredson and Hirschi link the propensity to commit crime to two latent traits - an impulsive personality and a lack of self-control. Explain how these traits result in crime.

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Question 10

Life course theorists examine offending patterns and trends. Terrie Moffit describes adolescent-limited offenders as:

Accepted Answer

A) angry adolescents. 
B) typical teenagers. 
C) classic persisters. 
D) standard youth.

Question 11

Developmental theories attempt to provide a natural history of criminal careers by encompassing:

Accepted Answer

A) its onset, continuation, and termination. 
B) delinquency and criminal behaviors. 
C) uni-dimensional and multidimensional treatment efforts. 
D) offenders' race/ethnicity, age, and gender.

Question 12

Life-course persisters may be considered "typical teenagers" who get into minor scrapes, first in adolescence and, later, in adulthood.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Which empirical evidence supports the general theory of crime?

Accepted Answer

A) Low self-control is significantly related to antisocial behavior and the association can be seen regardless of culture or national setting. 
B) The general theory of crime is tautological, or involves circular reasoning. 
C) Regional and ecological patterns in the crime rate are associated with differential levels of self-control. 
D) High moral standards can inhibit crime even among impulsive individuals.

Question 14

According to latent trait theory, when does a latent trait appear?

Accepted Answer

A) at birth or soon after 
B) during childhood 
C) during adolescence 
D) during early adulthood

Question 15

How is age of onset related to crime and criminality?

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Exam 9: Developmental Theories: Life Course and Latent Trait