Deck 1: The Study of Juvenile Delinquency

Question 1

Juvenile delinquency refers to actions that violate the law, committed by a person who is under the legal age of majority.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The degree to which a theory can be tested through empirical research, and either verified or disproved is referred to as:

A) conceptual clarity.
B) testability.
C) research validity.
D) inductive theorizing.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The term __________ refers to how concisely and "economically" a theory is stated in terms of its concepts and propositions.

A) parsimony
B) testability
C) research validity
D) inductive theorizing

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which dimension of theory asks: What question is the theory designed to answer?

A) Parsimony
B) Logical consistency
C) Scope
D) Conceptual clarity

Question 5

Which dimension of theory asks: How concise is the theory in terms of its concepts and propositions?

A) Parsimony
B) Logical consistency
C) Scope
D) Conceptual clarity

Question 6

Which theoretical level of explanation focuses on the social processes by which individuals become involved in delinquency?

A) Microsocial
B) Individual
C) Macrosocial
D) Both a and b

Question 7

Which theoretical level of explanation focuses on societal characteristics such as socioeconomic disadvantage and social cohesiveness to explain group variation in rates of delinquency?

A) Microsocial
B) Individual
C) Macrosocial
D) None of the above

Question 8

Which theoretical level of explanation draws most extensively on sociological concepts?

A) Microsocial
B) Individual
C) Macrosocial
D) Both a and b

Question 9

Which theoretical level of analysis most often uses social psychological concepts?

A) Microsocial
B) Individual
C) Macrosocial
D) Both a and b

Question 10

Which dimension of theory asks: To what extent has the theory been supported by research evidence?

A) Parsimony
B) Logical consistency
C) Applicability and usefulness
D) Research validity

Question 11

Which dimension of theory asks: To what extent is the theory useful in policy and practice?

A) Research validity
B) Parsimony
C) Logical consistency
D) Applicability and usefulness

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT one of the eight dimensions of theory discussed in the text?

A) Parsimony
B) Reliability
C) Applicability and usefulness
D) Research validity

Question 13

If research findings are NOT consistent with the predicted relationships, then the theory tested is:

A) useless.
B) disproved.
C) parsimonious.
D) verified.

Question 14

Which type of theorizing begins with theoretical statements, and then attempts to test the validity of the theoretical predictions?

A) Inductive theorizing
B) Deductive theorizing
C) Grounded theory
D) Conceptual theory

Question 15

The development of theory from research observations is referred to as:

A) conceptual clarity.
B) testability.
C) research validity.
D) inductive theorizing.

Question 16

The evaluation of theoretical statements through research is referred to as:

A) testability.
B) deductive theorizing.
C) parsimony.
D) inductive theorizing.

Question 17

In the simple model: A → B, B is the:

A) dependent variable.
B) independent variable.
C) spurious variable.
D) concept variable.

Question 18

The purpose of a theory of delinquency is to:

A) explain juvenile delinquency.
B) prevent juvenile delinquency.
C) intervene in delinquency-causing processes.
D) all of the above.

Question 19

Research has shown that delinquent behavior is most frequent when parental discipline is either lacking or excessive, but it is least common when levels of discipline are moderate. This implies what kind of relationship?

A) Negative linear relationship.
B) Curvilinear relationship.
C) Positive linear relationship.
D) Spurious relationship.

Question 20

Theory and research make up the two basic components of a scientific approach to juvenile delinquency.

Question 21

Research validity deals with how well concepts and propositions fit together.

Question 22

"How and why are laws made and enforced?" is one of the two basic questions addressed in theories of juvenile delinquency.

Question 23

The three different levels of explanation are group, mircrosocial, and macrosocial.

Question 24

The macrosocial level of explanation considers the social processes by which individuals become involved in delinquency.

Question 25

If a theory has been supported by research evidence, it has empirical reliability.

Question 26

Scope has to do with how concise a theory is in terms of its concepts and propositions.

Question 27

Deductive theorizing is used to test a theory.

Question 28

Inductive theorizing involves making empirical observations and collecting data.

Question 29

Lack of spuriousness is one of the three criteria for establishing cause and effect.

Question 30

It is difficult to establish cause-and-effect relationships using social science data.

Question 31

__________ isolate and categorize features of the world that are thought to be causally important.

A) Theories
B) Concepts
C) Operational definitions
D) Propositions

Question 32

Criminological _________ attempt to identify and describe key casual factors leading to delinquent behavior.

A) theories
B) concepts
C) operational definitions
D) propositions

Question 33

__________ tell(s) how concepts are related.

A) Theories
B) Research validity
C) Operational definitions
D) Propositions

Question 34

"As the number of delinquent friends increases, so does the likelihood of delinquency." This statement implies a:

A) negative linear relationship.
B) curvilinear relationship.
C) positive linear relationship.
D) spurious relationship.

Question 35

"As attachment to parents increases, delinquent behavior decreases." This statement implies a:

A) negative linear relationship.
B) curvilinear relationship.
C) positive linear relationship.
D) spurious relationship.

Question 36

Hirschi and Selvin advance three criteria for establishing cause and effect. Which of the following is NOT included in their criteria?

A) Lack of spuriousness
B) Association
C) Temporal order
D) Intervening variables