Question 1

Which theoretical perspective is consistent with the view that powerful corporations escape justice and maintain their power because their malfeasance is ignored by society, while at the same time street crimes are emphasized?

Accepted Answer

This view is consistent with critical theory, which is a theoretical perspective that focuses on the unequal distribution of power and resources in society, and how this perpetuates social inequality and oppression. Critical theorists argue that powerful corporations are able to escape justice because they are able to exert their power and influence over the legal system and other institutions, whereas street crimes are emphasized and punished more severely because they disproportionately affect marginalized and disadvantaged groups.

Question 2

Which theory contends that bad neighborhoods where people lack connections are problematic because they cause crime?

Accepted Answer

Social disorganization theory suggests that crime is caused by the social and economic conditions of a neighborhood. According to this theory, neighborhoods that lack social bonds and connections, such as those with high levels of poverty, unemployment, and residential mobility, are more likely to experience crime due to the breakdown of social control mechanisms. This theory highlights the importance of studying the context in which crime occurs and addressing the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to it.

Question 3

Preston has always wanted a fancy sports car, but has never been able to afford to buy one. One day, he walks by his dream car, unlocked with the keys inside. Preston considers stealing the car, but ultimately decides that the risk of ending up in jail is not worth it. What term describes Preston's thought process as he considered stealing the car?

Accepted Answer

Preston's thought process is described by the "hedonistic calculus," which is a concept where individuals weigh the pleasures and pains of an action before deciding to proceed. This concept is often associated with utilitarianism and the work of Jeremy Bentham, suggesting that people make decisions based on the potential for pleasure or pain. In this scenario, Preston weighs the pleasure of having the car against the pain (risk) of potential jail time.

Question 4

Which theoretical perspective examines the ways in which social structures create barriers for less-powerful individuals in a society?

Accepted Answer

Critical theory is concerned with examining power structures and how they create and maintain inequality in society. It focuses on identifying the ways in which social structures, such as government, media, and education, create barriers that prevent less-powerful individuals from advancing in society.

Question 5

Donald felt like he was not making enough money at his job to live a successful life. After following the rules for a while, he eventually became impatient and started embezzling money from the company. Which typology describes Donald's mode of adaptation to anomic imbalance?

Accepted Answer

Donald's mode of adaptation is that of an innovator because he is using illegal means to achieve his goals of financial success. He is not conforming to the rules but rather creating his own way of achieving success.

Question 6

According to critical theorists, why are the wealthy less likely to be searched, arrested, convicted, and incarcerated than the poor?

Accepted Answer

According to critical theorists, the criminal justice system exists to maintain the power and privilege of the wealthy, leading to unequal treatment for the poor. This can result in the criminalization of poverty and a disproportionate representation of the poor in the criminal justice system. Factors such as race, class, and economic status impact individual outcomes in the criminal justice system. Therefore, the wealthy are less likely to be searched, arrested, convicted, and incarcerated than the poor.

Question 7

What is the purpose of critical theory?

Accepted Answer

The purpose of critical theory is to identify unequal social structures as social problems that must be changed to achieve equality. Critical theorists aim to challenge the dominant ideologies and power structures that reinforce inequality and oppression. They use critical thinking skills to expose underlying power dynamics and advocate for social change. The other options are not accurate descriptions of the primary purpose of critical theory.

Question 8

In 1939, Edwin Sutherland became the first to define a long-overlooked type of crime as "a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of their occupation." What crime was he defining?

Accepted Answer

Edwin Sutherland was defining white-collar crime, which refers to nonviolent crimes committed by individuals in their professional capacities for financial gain or advantage. This type of crime is typically associated with individuals in higher social classes and often involves sophisticated schemes and high levels of financial manipulation.

Question 9

Mae has lived in her home for nearly 70 years. It seems that every few years, people move into the community, and move out, and Mae never seems to have time to get to know them. In contrast to the transient population, a few things have remained constant: Her neighborhood's high crime rate and high poverty rate. What theory can help us understand why crime rates remain the same in Mae's neighborhood, even though the entire population has changed?

Accepted Answer

Social disorganization theory suggests that high crime rates may be explained by the inability of a community to maintain social order due to a lack of social cohesion, economic opportunities, and effective social control mechanisms. Despite changes in the population, the persistent high crime and poverty rates in Mae's neighborhood suggest that social disorganization may be at play.

Question 10

A non-profit moved into a low-income, high-crime neighborhood and began working on several programs for the community with the intention of connecting people and helping them restore pride in their community. They assisted people in avoiding getting evicted, set up a neighborhood watch program, and implemented an afterschool tutoring program. What criminological theory would be consistent with this type of solution?

Accepted Answer

Social disorganization theory suggests that crime is a result of the breakdown of society's institutions and values within a particular neighborhood or community. This breakdown can lead to higher levels of poverty, unemployment, and disconnection among residents, which can contribute to crime. By moving into a low-income, high-crime neighborhood and implementing programs aimed at connecting people and restoring pride, the non-profit is addressing the underlying social disorganization that may be contributing to crime in the area.

Question 11

Which theory suggests that the solution to crime is to ensure that punishments are certain, swift, and harsh enough to discourage people from choosing to engage in criminality?

Accepted Answer

Classical theory suggests that the certainty, swiftness, and severity of punishment is necessary to deter criminal behavior. This theory assumes that individuals are rational actors who weigh the potential costs and benefits of committing a crime before making a decision, and that increasing the likelihood and severity of punishment will make the cost of crime outweigh the potential benefits.

Question 12

What category of crimes is responsible for the greatest loss of life every year?

Accepted Answer

White-collar crime, which includes acts such as fraud, embezzlement, and bribery, is responsible for the greatest loss of life indirectly through its impacts on public health, safety, and financial stability, surpassing the direct violence associated with street crime, gang crime, and terrorism.

Question 13

Why did researchers Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay decide to look for structural causes of criminality in Chicago neighborhoods as opposed to studying individual-level causes?

Accepted Answer

Crime rates appeared to be tied to location, not people, because crime rates remained constant even when the entire population moved out and new groups of people moved in. Therefore, Shaw and McKay believed that the structural causes of criminality could be found in the neighborhoods themselves, rather than in individual characteristics of the people living there.

Question 14

Eric failed at everything he ever tried. He failed at school, got in trouble, and joined the military. He began to feel trapped, working hard but getting nowhere. After a messy divorce and a dishonorable discharge from the military, he finally gave up and self-medicated until he developed an opioid addiction. Which typology describes Eric's mode of adaptation to anomic imbalance?

Accepted Answer

Eric's mode of adaptation is retreatist because he withdraws from society's goals and means by giving up and resorting to self-medication, which is characteristic of the retreatist adaptation in response to anomic imbalance.

Question 15

Policies that offered greater financial support for education and a pathway to gainful employment in order to cause a reduction in crime would be consistent with which theory?

Accepted Answer

Strain theory suggests that individuals engage in criminal behavior when they experience strain or stress due to their inability to achieve their goals through legitimate means. Providing greater financial support for education and a pathway to gainful employment would reduce this strain and stress by increasing opportunities for individuals to achieve their goals through legitimate means, thereby reducing the likelihood of criminal behavior.

Question 16

Why would a classical criminologist be opposed to keeping a convicted criminal's sentence secret from the public?

Accepted Answer

Classical criminology emphasizes the importance of deterrence, which relies on individuals being aware of the consequences of criminal behavior to make rational choices. Keeping sentences secret would undermine this principle.

Question 17

Barb has always been ambitious. Although sometimes she feels like she's spinning her wheels, the dream that someday she'll be able to afford her own home keeps her motivated to work hard. Which typology describes Barb's mode of adaptation to anomic imbalance?

Accepted Answer

Barb's mode of adaptation is described as conformist because she adheres to societal norms and values (working hard) with the hope of achieving her goals (owning a home), which aligns with the conformist adaptation in response to anomic imbalance. This means she follows the accepted means to achieve her goals.

Question 18

______ refers to the recognition that life chances are different for different people because of the interaction between race, gender, and class.

Accepted Answer

Intersectionality refers to the recognition that life chances are different for different people because of the interaction between race, gender, and class. It is the understanding that social identities and systems of oppression intersect and interact in complex ways, resulting in unique experiences of privilege and disadvantage for individuals and groups.

Question 19

Which criminological theory suggests that crime is a rational decision made by rational individuals seeking to maximize pleasure and minimize pain?

Accepted Answer

Classical theory suggests that crime is a rational decision made by individuals seeking to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. This theory emphasizes the importance of deterrence and punishment in preventing crime through the use of swift and certain punishment.

Question 20

Richard used to dream of owning a nice house in the suburbs, but after 15 years in a dead-end job, he's given up. Every morning, Richard leaves his small rented apartment, makes the long commute to work, and clocks in promptly at 8 A.m. to a job he hates. Which typology describes Richard's mode of adaptation to anomic imbalance?

Accepted Answer

Richard's adaptation can be identified as ritualistic as he has given up his dreams and has accepted the mundane routine of his life. He continues to follow the social norms by going to work every day, but he does not have any personal aspirations for success or achievement.

Quiz 9: Contesting Crime