Question 1

People in the human sciences who believe that it is both possible and desirable to adapt the objectives and methods of the biological sciences to study human behavior operate from a philosophical position called:

A) naturalism
B) structuralism
C) conservatism
D) liberalism

A

Accepted Answer

The philosophical position described is naturalism, which holds that natural laws and processes can be used to explain human behavior. This approach is often used in fields such as evolutionary psychology and behavioral genetics, where researchers use biological principles to study human behavior.

Question 2

Ideology:&#10;A) is a coherent pattern of ideas, beliefs, and attitudes&#10;B) forms, shapes, and colors our concepts of crime&#10;C) is a way of looking at the world&#10;D) all the above

Accepted Answer

Ideology is a comprehensive system of ideas, beliefs, and attitudes that shape our understanding of the world and inform our actions. It affects our thoughts and actions through the lens of values, traditions, and experiences that inform how we interact with others and form our social and political systems. It also influences our concepts of crime by determining what behaviors are considered deviant, criminal, or acceptable. Therefore, ideology is a way of looking at the world that forms, shapes, and colors our understanding of crime.

Question 3

Which philosopher believed that the ultimate reality consisted of eternal &#34;forms&#34; that existed in a transcendental realm?&#10;A) Aristotle&#10;B) Plato&#10;C) Sowell&#10;D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Plato believed in the existence of eternal "forms" or concepts such as beauty, justice, and truth that existed in a higher, perfect realm beyond our physical world. These "forms" were the ultimate reality and the material world was merely a flawed reflection of them.

Question 4

Plato is considered a(n)_______thinker while Aristotle was more of a(n)_________ thinker.&#10;A) analytic, synthetic&#10;B) synthetic, analytic&#10;C) conservative, liberal&#10;D) liberal, conservative

Accepted Answer

Plato was an analytic thinker, while Aristotle was more of a synthetic thinker.

Question 5

Contrary to Plato, _______ thinkers maintain that it is our reasoning that leads us astray more than the sense of data experiences.&#10;A) conservative&#10;B) liberal&#10;C) synthetic&#10;D) analytical

Accepted Answer

The answer of Contrary to Plato, _______ thinkers maintain that...

Question 6

Plato most closely aligns with which of the following visions?&#10;A) constrained&#10;B) unconstrained&#10;C) constructivist&#10;D) naturalist

Accepted Answer

Plato's philosophy aligns with the unconstrained vision, which emphasizes the potential for human reason and knowledge to shape and improve society.

Question 7

___________ visionaries say: &#34;this is how the world is,&#34; and _________ visionaries say: &#34;this is how the world should be.&#34;&#10;A) Naturalist; constructivist&#10;B) Constructivist; naturalist&#10;C) Unconstrained; constrained&#10;D) Constrained; unconstrained

Accepted Answer

Constrained visionaries tend to accept the world as it is, focusing on the limitations and imperfections inherent in human nature and social institutions. Unconstrained visionaries, on the other hand, believe in the potential for human and societal improvement, advocating for how the world should be, often aiming for idealistic or transformative goals.

Question 8

Most ____________ visionaries deny an innate human nature.&#10;A) constrained&#10;B) unconstrained&#10;C) naturalist&#10;D) constructivist

Accepted Answer

Unconstrained visionaries often believe that human nature is malleable and can be shaped by social constructs, thus denying an innate human nature.

Question 9

Liberals are most closely associated with _________ visionaries, while conservatives are most closely associated with _________ visionaries.&#10;A) constrained; unconstrained&#10;B) unconstrained; constrained&#10;C) naturalist; constructivist&#10;D) constructivist; naturalist

Accepted Answer

The terms "constrained" and "unconstrained" were coined by political philosopher Thomas Sowell to describe two competing worldviews. Constrained visionaries emphasize the limitations of human nature and the importance of social institutions, traditions, and laws in restraining individual behavior. This worldview is more closely associated with conservatism. Unconstrained visionaries, on the other hand, believe in the perfectibility of human nature and often advocate for sweeping social and political changes to achieve a utopian vision. This worldview is more closely associated with liberalism. Therefore, choice B is the best answer.

Question 10

Research on American criminologists conducted by Walsh and Ellis (2004) and Cooper, Walsh, and Ellis (2007) found that conservatives tended to favor __________ theories such as biosocial and rational choice.

A) individualistic
B) cultural
C) critical
D) social

Accepted Answer

The research found that conservatives tended to favor individualistic theories such as biosocial and rational choice, which place emphasis on individual responsibility and free will as opposed to social or cultural factors.

Question 11

Which of the following is not one of the heritable components of temperament?&#10;A) mood&#10;B) sociability&#10;C) ideology&#10;D) activity level

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is not one...

Question 12

According to the text, genes account for about ____ percent of our political ideologies.&#10;A) 20&#10;B) 30&#10;C) 40&#10;D) 50

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text, genes account for...

Question 13

According to the text, ideology is one of the biggest barriers we have to obtaining knowledge.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text, ideology is one...

Question 14

All social scientists agree that biological sciences should be used to study human behavior, specifically criminal behavior.

Accepted Answer

The answer of All social scientists agree that biological sciences...

Question 15

According to the text, the unconstrained vision dominates the social sciences.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text, the unconstrained vision...

Deck 10: The Science Wars and Ideology in Criminology