Deck 5: What Is a Theory and How Do We Test Theories

Question 1

In the theoretical statement "Television violence causes violent delinquency," television violence is the:

A) dependent variable
B) independent variable
C) third variable
D) conditioning variable
E) random variable

Answer 1

B

Question 2

A researcher finds that stress is most likely to lead to delinquency among juveniles who have little social support. Social support is the:

A) independent variable
B) dependent variable
C) third variable
D) conditioning variable
E) random variable

Answer 2

D

Question 3

According to Agnew and Brezina, it is important to study theories of delinquency because:

A) theories can help us prevent and control delinquency
B) criminologists have put much time and effort into developing them
C) all theories build on previous theories
D) the major theories are useful in explaining the unique behavior of a few deviants
E) all of the above

Answer 3

A

Question 4

One of the best ways to determine if a theory of delinquency is correct is to:

A) solicit the opinions of respected individuals
B) determine how well the theory is supported by your own experiences and the experiences of those you know
C) test the theory
D) all of the above

Question 5

Most of the research on the causes of delinquency is based on:

A) experiments
B) observational studies
C) official documents
D) surveys

Question 6

In order to examine the relationship between drug use and crime, a researcher spends several months with juveniles who use drugs. During this time, the researcher observes what drugs the juveniles use, how often they use them, and their subsequent involvement in property and violent crimes. What methodology is the researcher using to gather data?

A) survey
B) observational study
C) experiment
D) interview techniques

Question 7

In order to generalize to a population, you want a sample that is:

A) unobtrusive
B) valid
C) representative
D) reliable

Question 8

In order to determine whether some independent variable causes delinquency, we must:

A) determine if the independent variable is associated with delinquency
B) determine the probability that the association is due to chance
C) control for relevant third variables
D) determine if the independent variable precedes delinquency in time
E) all of the above

Question 9

In order to determine whether media violence causes delinquency, one needs to determine whether the association is due to:

A) chance
B) other variables
C) the effect of delinquency on time spent watching media violence
D) all of the above

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of a negative association?

A) As grades increase, delinquency increases.
B) As grades increase, delinquency decreases.
C) Grades have no association with delinquency.
D) The association between grades and delinquency differs between males and females.

Question 11

Agnew and Brezina's discussion of the association among IQ, social class, and delinquency illustrates:

A) research that controls for third variables
B) an association due to chance
C) the importance of determining the correct causal order
D) all of the above

Question 12

A researcher states that the probability that the association between two variables is due to chance is less than 1%. This means that:

A) the association is probably not due to third variables
B) it is quite likely that the dependent variable causes the independent variable
C) the association is very large in size
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 13

Which of the following statements is TRUE with regard to the causes of delinquency?

A) Delinquency results from the social environment, never from individual traits.
B) Delinquency is largely caused by a few key variables, like media violence and lack of religion.
C) Most of the causes of delinquency are related to one another.
D) The causes of delinquency often operate in isolation from one another.

Question 14

Which of the following is a risk factor for delinquency?

A) delinquent peers
B) failure in school
C) child abuse
D) all of the above

Question 15

Most studies of delinquency are based on samples that are _____ representative of all juveniles.

A) completely
B) not quite
C) not at all
D) equally

Question 16

A conditioning variable:

A) complements the dependent variable by adding importation information
B) specifies the conditions under which the dependent variables are most likely to cause delinquency
C) specifies the conditions under which the independent variables are most likely to cause delinquency
D) none of the above

Question 17

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding random samples?

A) A random sample is collected so that each juvenile in the population has an equal chance of being selected.
B) A random sample is based on randomly selecting a sampling method.
C) A random sample usually involves only a very small number of juveniles.
D) Random sampling cannot be used when studying juveniles.

Question 18

Intensive interviews have been described as:

A) "structured interviews"
B) "invasive questioning"
C) "guided conversations"
D) "strict questioning"

Question 19

Which of the following statements are correct?

A) The likelihood that a given association is due to chance becomes smaller as the sample size increases.
B) Larger samples generally produce more accurate results.
C) Increases in sample size beyond 2,000 or so juveniles only produce small increases in accuracy.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 20

Researchers determine whether the association between an independent variable and delinquency is caused by a third variable by:

A) "controlling" for the third variable
B) obtaining a representative sample
C) testing the association between the independent variable and dependent variable
D) none of the above

Question 21

Provide at least two reasons why it is important to study theories of delinquency.

Question 22

Give an example of a theory that includes an independent variable, a dependent variable (delinquency in this case), and a statement of why your independent variable causes delinquency.

Question 23

Add a conditioning variable to your theory. Be sure to describe how this variable conditions the effect of your independent variable.

Question 24

Describe why researchers do not make greater use of experiments when testing theories of delinquency.

Question 25

Explain what it means to have a "representative" sample and then describe the best way to obtain a representative sample.

Question 26

Describe the five steps that researchers should follow to test theories of delinquency.

Question 27

Drawing on the text, describe the five steps you would employ to determine whether media violence increases juvenile aggression.

Question 28

Describe the four conditions that must be satisfied before we can state that one variable causes another.

Question 29

(If you presented percentages in class.) Draw a two-variable table and fill it in with percentages that show a strong positive association between drug use and other delinquency. Draw the same table and fill it in with percentages that show no association between drug use and other delinquency.

Question 30

Provide an example of a positive association and a negative association. Draw a line graph illustrating these associations.

Question 31

Give a plausible example of an association that may be caused by a third variable.

Question 32

Data reveal an association between media violence and aggressive behavior. Does that mean that media violence causes aggressive behavior? If not, why not?

Question 33

When criminological researchers refer to the "causes" of crime and delinquency, what do they mean? Explain why "cause" is the appropriate term to use or why it is not an appropriate term. What would be another term that could be used instead of "cause"?

Question 34

What does it mean when we say that an independent variable is associated with the dependent variable? What is an association, and are there different types of associations? Provide an example of an association.

Question 35

The most common way to study juveniles is to interview them or have them complete questionnaires. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of using surveys for studying juveniles.

Question 36

Criminologists often study juveniles through field studies. Describe the main components of field studies and list the strengths and weaknesses of using field studies.

Question 37

Does "free will" or free choice play a role in criminological research? Defend your answer and provide an example.

Question 38

What is a reciprocal effect? Provide an example of a reciprocal effect.