Question 1

Although the deterrence doctrine was stated by classical criminologists more than 200 years ago, research to test the deterrent effect of punishment on different types of offenses did not begin until the 1960s.

Accepted Answer

Research on the deterrent effect of punishment began in earnest in the 1960s, despite the deterrence doctrine being articulated by classical criminologists much earlier.

Question 2

The classical criminologists were more interested in providing a rationale for legal and penal reform than in explaining criminal behavior.

Accepted Answer

Classical criminologists focused on reforming the legal and penal systems to make them more just and rational, rather than on understanding the causes of criminal behavior.

Question 3

The "experiential effect" in deterrence research refers to the finding that experiencing legal sanctions prevents recidivism.

Accepted Answer

The "experiential effect" suggests that individuals who have experienced legal sanctions may perceive them as less severe than anticipated, potentially reducing the deterrent effect and not necessarily preventing recidivism.

Question 4

The conclusion of weak deterrent effects of severity and certainty of legal penalties found in single studies has not been supported by results of later meta-analyses of the findings from many different studies.

Accepted Answer

Meta-analyses have generally supported the conclusion that both the severity and certainty of legal penalties have weak deterrent effects on crime.

Question 5

The expected utility concept in rational choice theory of crime refers to behavior that has some utility for society.

Accepted Answer

The expected utility concept in rational choice theory of crime refers to the idea that individuals weigh the potential benefits and costs of a criminal act to maximize their personal gain, not societal utility.

Question 6

Routine activities theory proposes that crime occurs when motivated offenders, guarded targets, and opportunity for reward converge.

Accepted Answer

Routine activities theory proposes that crime occurs when motivated offenders, suitable targets, and the absence of capable guardians converge.

Question 7

Routine activities theory is more a theory of criminal victimization than of criminal behavior.

Accepted Answer

Routine activities theory focuses on the circumstances that increase the likelihood of a crime occurring, emphasizing the role of opportunity and the presence of a motivated offender, suitable target, and lack of capable guardianship, which relates more to victimization than the behavior of the offender.

Question 8

Routine activities theory is designed to explain where and when predatory crimes take place.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Routine activities theory is designed to explain...

Question 9

Cohen and Felson explain trends in crime rates over time as a function of shifts in the time people spend in their homes, schools, workplaces, and leisure activities.

Accepted Answer

Cohen and Felson's Routine Activity Theory suggests that crime rates are influenced by the convergence of motivated offenders, suitable targets, and the absence of capable guardians, which can be affected by changes in people's daily routines and activities.

Question 10

Routine activities theory sheds little light on how and why individuals become motivated to commit crime.

Accepted Answer

Routine activities theory focuses on the circumstances that make crime possible, such as the presence of a motivated offender, suitable target, and lack of capable guardianship, rather than the motivations behind why individuals commit crimes.

Question 11

If illegal acts are themselves taken as measures of routine activities, as it is in some studies, then it becomes tautological to hypothesize that routine activities cause illegal acts.

Accepted Answer

If illegal acts are used as measures of routine activities, then stating that routine activities cause illegal acts is circular reasoning, as the cause and effect are essentially the same.

Question 12

Research into the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew suggests that offenders are attracted to targets made vulnerable to crime.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that natural disasters like Hurricane Andrew can create conditions that increase vulnerability to crime, attracting offenders to these targets.

Question 13

The emphasis on informal control in recent work on routine activities theory by Felson clearly distinguishes it from the general sociological view and other criminological theories.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The emphasis on informal control in recent...

Question 14

While the research evidence provides weak support for deterrence theory, the outcome of such policies as mandated sentencing, longer prison terms, and boot camps over the past two decades has shown fairly clearly that deterrence works in practice.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown mixed results on the effectiveness of deterrence policies like mandated sentencing and longer prison terms, with many studies indicating they do not significantly reduce crime rates.

Question 15

The Scared Straight approach has been successful in deterring at-risk youth from beginning or continuing delinquent and criminal careers.

Accepted Answer

Research and evaluations have shown that the Scared Straight approach is not effective and may even increase the likelihood of offending among at-risk youth.

Question 16

Modern research on deterrence theory has shown that criminal sanctions are correlated with a marginal deterrent effect on crime, but the correlations tend to be low.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that while criminal sanctions can deter crime, the effect is often marginal and not as strong as one might expect, suggesting other factors also play significant roles in influencing criminal behavior.

Question 17

The practical implications of routine activities theory refer more to the everyday precautions people can take to avoid becoming crime victims than to formal criminal justice policy.

Accepted Answer

Routine activities theory focuses on how individuals can reduce their risk of victimization through everyday actions, rather than relying solely on formal criminal justice measures.

Question 18

Most research on capital punishment has found that the death penalty has little general deterrent effect on rates of homicide.

Accepted Answer

Research generally indicates that the death penalty does not significantly deter homicide rates compared to life imprisonment.

Question 19

The "narrow" rational choice model, according to Opp, which assumes maximum rationality, has received more empirical support than the "wide" model, which assumes limited rationality and leaves room for soft incentives.

Accepted Answer

The "narrow" rational choice model, which assumes maximum rationality, often receives less empirical support compared to the "wide" model, which accounts for limited rationality and soft incentives, as real-world decision-making frequently involves bounded rationality and non-maximizing behavior.

Question 20

Recent evidence from research such as that by De Haan and Vos has found that robbers are motivated primarily by a rational goal of getting money and that non-rational and emotional motivations play little part in the decision to rob.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Recent evidence from research such as that...

Quiz 2: Deterrence and Rational Choice Theories