Deck 7: Control Theories

Question 1

Which was not a key influence in the development of control theory?

A) The work of Emile Durkheim
B) Social upheavals during the 1960s
C) Chicago school research
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Answer 1

E

Question 2

Anomie refers to:

A) a disjuncture between individual and collective values in society.
B) desistance from criminal behavior.
C) the influence of familial attachments on one's behavior.
D) the strength of one's personality in relation to the social structure.
E) all of the above.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which of the following is false with regard to Reiss's control theory?

A) It is one of the earliest examples of control theory in criminology.
B) It identifies the key aspects of conformity: acceptance and submission.
C) It integrates ideas from Marxist and socialist thought with control-oriented concepts.
D) It assumes that one's family and friends have the most impact on one's behavior.
E) It claims that people raised in foster homes have lower levels of control than those raised in their natural families.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Nye's family-focused theory:

A) claims that criminal behavior results primarily from weak attachments to one's peers.
B) identifies three types of control: direct, indirect, and internal.
C) suggests that girls commit less crime than boys even when parental control is lifted.
D) was tested using statistical data compiled by the FBI.
E) all of the above.

Question 5

In Reckless's containment theory, examples of external pulls include:

A) living in poverty, delinquent friends, and unemployment.
B) restlessness, impatience, and anger.
C) family supervision and values.
D) self-control and a good self-image.

Question 6

Barry regularly shoplifts various items (DVDs, small appliances, toiletries) from big box stores (e.g., Wal-Mart). He feels some guilt after doing this but resolves these negative feelings by telling himself that corporations won't miss the money and that the people who run them are often white-collar criminals themselves. These thoughts are an example of:

A) primary deviance.
B) techniques of neutralization.
C) low self-control.
D) an anomic state.

Question 7

Which of the following is not an element of Hirschi's social bonding theory?

A) Self-control
B) Attachment
C) Commitment
D) Involvement
E) Belief

Question 8

According to Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory of crime:

A) many criminals carefully plan out their crimes.
B) people become criminals because they observe family members engaging in such behavior.
C) behavior is affected not only by family experiences but also by school experiences.
D) all of the above.
E) none of the above.

Question 9

Control theorists are more interested in why people conform than why people commit crime.

Question 10

In many ways, control theories can be seen as extensions of classical school thought into explaining criminal behavior.

Question 11

Control theorists assume that the law is formed through conflicts between small groups.

Question 12

Control theorists struggle to explain juvenile delinquency, white-collar, and political crime.

Question 13

Neutralization theory accounts for both motivating and control-oriented factors.

Question 14

Reckless's containment theory focuses on explaining how people adopt nonconformist values and how they are justified and rationalized.

Question 15

Hirschi's social bonding focuses on how attachments to other people and social institutions prevent us from engaging in criminal behavior.

Question 16

Control theorists believe that punishment is an ineffective method of crime control.

Question 17

Discuss how the relevant history influenced control theories. Provide two examples.

Question 18

What is the core assumption about human nature that informs control theories? What are some of the challenges of embracing this view?

Question 19

Consider the quotes presented in Figure 7.9.(in the text) How could you connect these quotes to the four aspects of Hirschi's social bonding theory?

Question 20

In your opinion, what are the strongest arguments for social bonding theory? Provide an example of a school-based or community-based program that can be connected to the perspectives discussed in this chapter.

Question 21

How could the micro-explanations from Part I be more fully integrated with process theories? Create a map connecting one or more aspects from Part I with one or more of the theories from Part III.