Deck 3: Classical Criminology

Question 1

Cesare Beccaria is considered the father of classical criminology.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

At its evolution, classical theory was considered an alternative to the spiritual explanations of crime.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Beccaria believed that sanctions should be swift and a surprise.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Strain theory has its roots in the classical school of criminological thinking.

Question 5

Punishment severity is the best predictor of deterrence effectiveness.

Question 6

Rational choice involves weighing the benefits and consequences of committing a crime.

Question 7

Rational choice theory suggests people who commit crimes are irrational.

Question 8

Crime increased in the 1970s due to an increase in the availability of suitable crime targets and a lack of human supervision.

Question 9

Deterrence-based theories believe humans commit crime because they are forced into crime.

Question 10

Theories that focus on the punishment of offenders are labeled:

A) Positivistic theories
B) Macro theories
C) Classical theories
D) General theories

Question 11

Opportunity theories posit that offenders are more likely to commit crime given the chance. This line of thinking is congruent with which school of thought:

A) Positivist
B) Classical
C) Social contract
D) Chicago School

Question 12

The social contract is an agreement among members of a society to respect the rights of others in order for their own rights to be equally respected. This idea was put forth by the following philosophers:

A) Shaw, McKay, Beccaria, Sampson
B) Hobbes, Lombroso, Freud, Glueck
C) Moffitt, Clarke, Ellis, Cornish
D) Locke, Voltaire, Montesquieu, Rousseau

Question 13

The United States criminal justice system is based primarily on:

A) Deterrence theory
B) Positivist theory
C) Punishment
D) Biological positivism

Question 14

Deterrence theory supports the notion that punishments should be:

A) Harsh enough to deter future offending
B) Meted out in private
C) More severe than the harm inflicted on society by the crime
D) Swift, certain, and appropriately severe

Question 15

Routine activity theory suggests that decreases in crime are due to:

A) A decrease in opportunity
B) An increase in capable guardians
C) A lack of motivated offenders
D) All of the above

Question 16

General deterrence aims to reduce crime among:

A) All potential offenders
B) People who have offended before
C) Convicted offenders
D) 18-25 year olds

Question 17

The death penalty is said to have a __________________ on homicide rates.

A) Decreasing effect
B) Brutalization effect
C) Generalization effect
D) No effect

Question 18

Some focused deterrence policies such as Operation Ceasefire join deterrence efforts with____________ to reduce crime:

A) Incarceration
B) Intervention
C) Incentives
D) Traditional enforcement

Question 19

Closed-circuit television (CCT) is an example of a policy based in:

A) Rational choice theory
B) Situational crime prevention theory
C) Social disorganization theory
D) Routine activity theory

Question 20

There are three components to routine activity theory: motivated offenders, a lack of capable guardians, and suitable targets. First, provide a definition for each component. Second, describe a victimization scenario that could be explained by routine activity theory.

Question 21

Cesare Beccaria had substantial influence over the fields of criminology and law. Describe Beccaria's influence over the development of the criminal justice system in the United States. Explain how Beccaria's influence has been maintained for over 200 years and its sustaining relevance.

Question 22

Rational choice theories propose that individuals consider the pros and cons of crime before they violate the law. Using techniques from CPTED - crime prevention through environmental design - devise an urban community approach to reduce violent crimes such as robbery, rape, and murder.

Question 23

What factors may counteract or negate the theoretical bases of rational choice? Describe a crime or victimization situation where rational choice would not apply based on these factors.

Question 24

According to Pogarsky and Piquero offenders may experience a "resetting effect." What is the "resetting effect" and does it apply to all types of criminals? Why or why not?

Question 25

Two study methodologies are used to examine the deterrent effect of imprisonment: cross-sectional and longitudinal. Describe each of these methods generally, and how they are applied to studies of the effects of imprisonment. Which method would result in stronger evidence?

Question 26

Beccaria proposed three main elements of deterrence. Name these elements and, using your knowledge of contemporary criminal justice case processing as a guide, apply them to the following crimes: white collar crime, disorderly conduct, and first-degree homicide. Based on your description, which of the three crimes would experience the greatest deterrent effect?

Question 27

The social contract is the basis of many modern democracies. What is the social contract? How is it derived, and who participates in upholding it?

Question 28

According to the classical school, human nature is based on free will. Is it accurate to say that all humans possess free will? Using examples from recent headlines, support your answer with a concrete example of why absolute free will is possible or impossible.

Question 29

Cesare Beccaria provided many ideas on making the criminal justice system fair and effective. Which of the eight principles highlighted in the text do you believe is most important? Support your choice with an example of how that principle is applied in criminal justice today to ensure the system is just and effective.