Question 1

Which early theorist proposed that the punishment for criminal behavior should outweigh the potential gains of committing the crime?&#10;A) Edwin Southerland&#10;B) Cesare Beccaria&#10;C) Charles Darwin&#10;D) Cesare Lombroso

Accepted Answer

Cesare Beccaria proposed the idea of deterrence, which suggests that the punishment for criminal behavior should outweigh the potential gains of committing the crime. This theory argues that potential offenders will be less likely to commit crimes if the punishment is severe enough to deter them.

Question 2

Jeremy Bentham developed the idea of _______, which assumes that human behaviors are associated with pain and pleasure.&#10;A) equilibrium&#10;B) atavism&#10;C) federalism&#10;D) utilitarianism

Accepted Answer

Bentham developed the idea of utilitarianism, which states that actions should be taken to maximize overall happiness or pleasure and minimize overall pain or suffering. This philosophy assumes that human behaviors are associated with pain and pleasure.

Question 3

Which approach is based on rational choice theory and involves identifying ways to deter crime by reducing opportunities to commit crimes?&#10;A) Atavism&#10;B) Utilitarianism&#10;C) Situational crime prevention&#10;D) Differential association structuration

Accepted Answer

Situational crime prevention is based on rational choice theory and aims to reduce opportunities for crime by making it less attractive or increasing the perception of risk. This involves implementing measures such as target hardening, increasing surveillance, and reducing access to potential targets. Atavism, utilitarianism, and differential association structuration are not directly related to this approach.

Question 4

Sociological theories are often categorized according to whether they address social structure, social processes, or social&#10;A) conflict.&#10;B) distortion.&#10;C) enforcement.&#10;D) legality.

Accepted Answer

The options presented for the answer all represent concepts that are not typically categorized as part of sociological theories. Social conflict, on the other hand, is frequently addressed by sociological theories and is a relevant choice for categorizing them.

Question 5

Emile Durkheim introduced which term that refers to a sense of normlessness, in which a breakdown of society's norms results in a feeling of strain?&#10;A) Anomie&#10;B) Repartition&#10;C) Atavism&#10;D) Narcissism

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim introduced the term "anomie" which refers to a sense of normlessness, in which a breakdown of society's norms results in a feeling of strain.

Question 6

Robert found that he was unsuited for some of the more traditional gangs in his neighborhood. Instead, he joined this type of gang, which is known for its members resorting to drug and alcohol use.&#10;A) Brandish&#10;B) Demoralizer&#10;C) Outcast&#10;D) Retreatist

Accepted Answer

The type of gang Robert joined is known as a retreatist gang, which is characterized by members who are unable or unwilling to succeed in both conventional society and the gang subculture. This type of gang often resorts to drug and alcohol use as a way of coping with their feelings of alienation and is considered the least organized type of gang.

Question 7

Control theorist Travis Hirschi noted that a series of bonds help restrict individuals from behaving badly. The bonds include attachment, commitment, involvement, and&#10;A) certainty.&#10;B) belief.&#10;C) recklessness.&#10;D) ignorance.

Accepted Answer

The bonds identified by Hirschi are attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. These bonds provide individuals with social connections, obligations, and moral principles that discourage them from engaging in deviant behavior. Belief, in particular, refers to an individual's conviction in conventional values and norms, which act as a moral compass in guiding their behavior.

Question 8

Some biological theorists have proposed that criminal traits and predispositions are genetically passed from parents to their children.

Accepted Answer

Some biological theorists believe in the concept of genetic inheritance of criminal traits and predispositions. However, this theory is not universally accepted and is a topic of debate in the field of criminology.

Question 9

According to Freud, the superego is the section of the mind that is interested in immediate gratification and pleasure.

Accepted Answer

According to Freud, the superego is actually the opposite of this - it is the section of the mind concerned with moral and ethical considerations, and is responsible for self-control and delaying gratification.

Question 10

Biological explanations of crime have been the most prominent body of criminological theories since the 1920s.

Accepted Answer

Biological explanations of crime were prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries but were largely overshadowed by sociological and psychological theories from the mid-20th century onwards.

Question 11

Social disorganization theory considers the crime-related effects of the disintegration of conventional values and beliefs often caused by increased levels of industrialization, urbanization, and immigration.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Social disorganization theory considers the crime-related effects...

Question 12

Labeling theory proposes that acts are recognized as deviant when individuals or groups deem them as such.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Labeling theory proposes that acts are recognized...

Question 13

Marxist theory is based on the work of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and generally views crime as the result of a socialist system that exploits the working underclass.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Marxist theory is based on the work...

Question 14

Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory of crime is considered a developmental theory because it modifies social control theory to incorporate biosocial, psychological, routine activities, and rational choice theories.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory of crime...

Question 15

Which body of criminological thought do you believe best explains the following criminal acts? Be sure to provide justification for your response.
A young man steals a car to go joyriding.
A woman with no income decides to start selling drugs.
A serial killer murders his eighth victim.
A businesswoman decides to steal money from her company.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which body of criminological thought do you...

Question 16

Compare and contrast latent trait theories with life course theories. Should the occurrence of difficult life events impact how our justice system treats offenders? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast latent trait theories with...

Deck 5: Theories of Crime