Question 1

In which of the following studies do researchers look for negative associations between crime rates and punishment levels that can be interpreted as having a deterrent effect?

Accepted Answer

Ecological studies look for negative associations between crime rates and punishment levels that can be interpreted as having a deterrent effect.

Question 2

It is not enough to establish a legal justification for punishment; society must also establish the __________ justification for it.

Accepted Answer

While it is important to consider the cost-benefit and public justifications for punishment, ultimately punishment must also be morally justifiable in order for society to justify its use. Historical justifications may also be interesting for understanding the evolution of punishment, but they are not as crucial as moral justifications.

Question 3

The two justifications for punishment which assume that offenders deserve to be punished are:

Accepted Answer

Retribution and just deserts are based on the idea that offenders deserve punishment because they have committed a wrongdoing, focusing on moral responsibility and justice.

Question 4

Individual (or specific) deterrence seeks to:

Accepted Answer

Individual (or specific) deterrence seeks to deter the individual punished.

Question 5

Utilitarian and retributive theories of punishment differ primarily in their:

Accepted Answer

Utilitarian theories of punishment focus on the future consequences of punishment, seeking to prevent future harm by deterring individuals from committing crimes. Retributive theories, on the other hand, emphasize the past harm caused by the crime and seek to punish offenders for the harm they have caused. Therefore, the primary difference between the two theories is their perspective, with one being forward-looking and the other being backward-looking.

Question 6

Cesare Becarria took a similar position to that of:

Accepted Answer

Cesare Becarria's position on criminal justice and punishment was similar to that of Jeremy Bentham, who also advocated for utilitarianism and believed in the importance of deterrence in punishment.

Question 7

Theories of crime which focus on preventing crime in the future are termed:

Accepted Answer

Utilitarian theories of crime focus on the consequences of actions and aim to prevent future crimes by deterring potential offenders, rehabilitating criminals, or incapacitating them.

Question 8

Which of the following would not be a belief of a retributivist?

Accepted Answer

Retributivism focuses on the idea that punishment is deserved or a moral response to wrongdoing, not on deterrence or utilitarian outcomes. Therefore, punishing innocent people for deterrence contradicts retributivist beliefs.

Question 9

Punishment consists of which of the following elements?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Punishment consists of which of the following...

Question 10

There is little agreement among researchers that punishment has a ____________ effect.

Accepted Answer

The effectiveness of punishment in deterring future criminal behavior is highly debated among researchers, with some studies suggesting it has a deterrent effect while others find it to be ineffective or even counterproductive. Therefore, the best choice is D, which refers to the deterrent effect.

Question 11

The belief that punishment should inflict the same on offenders as the offenders have inflicted on their victims is:

Accepted Answer

Lex talionis, also known as the law of retaliation or "an eye for an eye," is the belief that punishment should be the same as the crime committed. It is often associated with the concept of revenge or retribution. This concept can be seen in various ancient legal codes, such as the Code of Hammurabi, and still influences some modern legal systems.

Question 12

In which of the following studies does the data come from surveys?

Accepted Answer

Perceptual studies rely on data collected from surveys, which are used to assess individuals' perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs.

Question 13

Theories that set the goal of punishment as the prevention of future crime are derived from _______________ philosophy.

Accepted Answer

The utilitarian philosophy emphasizes the importance of maximizing overall happiness and reducing overall harm. Therefore, a utilitarian perspective on punishment would prioritize preventing future crimes, as doing so would contribute to the overall happiness and safety of society.

Question 14

Jeremy Bentham and Cesare Beccaria supported the _______ theory of punishment.

Accepted Answer

Bentham and Beccaria both supported the concept of deterrence as a theory of punishment. This theory suggests that punishment should be used to deter individuals from committing crimes by making the consequences of their actions undesirable.

Question 15

Legislation that imposes penalties for specific offenses in the belief that those penalities will deter or prevent persons from committing those offenses is a form of ______________ deterrence.

Accepted Answer

General deterrence aims to discourage the general public from committing crimes by imposing penalties on offenders, thereby setting an example.

Question 16

Past oriented theories are often referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Retributivist theories are past-oriented as they focus on punishment for past actions rather than future consequences.

Question 17

Which position does not allow for social change or social conditions?

Accepted Answer

Retributivism focuses on punishment as a response to wrongdoing, without necessarily considering social change or conditions.

Question 18

The theory of punishment that assumes that people will refrain from crime because of fear of punishment is:

Accepted Answer

Deterrence is the theory of punishment that assumes people will avoid committing crimes due to the fear of punishment.

Question 19

With regard to deterrence, the author of the text concludes that overall:

Accepted Answer

The author concludes that there is little agreement among researchers about the effectiveness of general deterrence, indicating a lack of consensus in the research community.

Question 20

Which theory of punishment follows lex talionis?

Accepted Answer

The theory of punishment that follows lex talionis, or "an eye for an eye," is retribution. This theory asserts that punishment should be proportionate to the harm caused by the crime and that offenders deserve to be punished for their wrongdoing.

Quiz 6: The Purpose of Criminal Punishment What Is Punishment