Question 1

What is one criterion that theories or explanations regarding white-collar crime must meet?

Accepted Answer

Theories or explanations regarding white-collar crime must help point to changes that would reduce, not increase, white-collar crime. This criterion ensures that the theories are constructive and aim towards mitigating the occurrence of such crimes.

Question 2

What did criminologist James Coleman think was promoted through industrial capitalism?

Accepted Answer

Industrial capitalism promotes a culture of competition, as individuals and companies strive to outdo each other for economic gain.

Question 3

How did Hirschi and Gottfredson criticize the cultural theory of white-collar crime?

Accepted Answer

Hirschi and Gottfredson criticized the cultural theory of white-collar crime by arguing that it was too broad and that if it were true, more people would be engaging in white-collar crimes. They believed that the theory did not adequately explain the relatively lower prevalence of such crimes among the population.

Question 4

What does the deterrence theory rely on to be effective?

Accepted Answer

Deterrence theory is based on the premise that people are rational beings who weigh the costs and benefits of their actions, including the likelihood of getting caught and the severity of the potential punishment, before deciding to commit a crime.

Question 5

The desire for an offender to gain control of his or her environment is associated with which theory?

Accepted Answer

Rational choice theory suggests that offenders make conscious decisions to commit crimes based on the perceived benefits and costs, including the desire to gain control over their environment.

Question 6

What mode of adaptation associated with classical strain theory is analogous to the given example of podium politics at the Olympics, where medalists make prohibited symbolic gestures while receiving their medals?

Accepted Answer

Rebels, according to classical strain theory, reject both the societal goals and the institutionalized means of achieving them, and instead seek to replace or alter the existing social structure. The example of athletes making prohibited symbolic gestures during medal ceremonies at the Olympics can be seen as a form of rebellion, where the athletes are rejecting or challenging the established norms or rules of the event (institutionalized means) while still engaging in the competitive aspect of the games (societal goals). They are using their platform to advocate for change or to make a statement, which aligns with the rebel mode of adaptation.

Question 7

In regard to the institutional anomie theory, which of the following is not a value promoted in America that encourages individuals to engage in crime?

Accepted Answer

Institutional anomie theory, developed by Steven Messner and Richard Rosenfeld, focuses on how the American Dream's emphasis on achievement, universalism, and individualism can lead to anomie (a state of normlessness) and subsequently increase crime rates. Loyalty, however, is not identified within this theory as a value that promotes crime. Instead, the theory highlights how the overemphasis on economic success and the devaluation of non-economic roles and functions can undermine social regulations and encourage criminal behavior.

Question 8

Not being promoted or not being given a raise (a positive stimulus) can result in workplace misconduct under which criminal theory?

Accepted Answer

General strain theory posits that individuals who experience negative stimuli, such as failure to achieve positively valued goals (e.g., not being promoted or not receiving a raise), may engage in deviant or criminal behavior as a coping mechanism to deal with the stress or strain of unmet expectations.

Question 9

What does the differential association theory suggest that offenders learn from their peers?

Accepted Answer

Differential association theory suggests that offenders learn criminal behavior from their peers, including the techniques of committing crimes, the motives for committing crimes, and the attitudes that support criminal behavior.

Question 10

When offenders believe their victims deserve the harm, what theory are they playing into?

Accepted Answer

Neutralization theory suggests that offenders use techniques of neutralization, such as believing their victims deserve the harm, to rationalize or justify their deviant behaviors.

Question 11

Based on research which type of offender is more likely to neutralize their actions?

Accepted Answer

Younger workers are more likely to neutralize their actions because they have less experience and are more likely to be influenced by their peers.

Question 12

Which of the following is an appeal to accidents excuse?

Accepted Answer

An appeal to accidents excuse involves describing an outcome as an accident to avoid responsibility or blame.

Question 13

Why do offenders rationalize their engagement in white-collar crime?

Accepted Answer

Offenders rationalize their engagement in white-collar crime to control how others perceive them, often justifying their actions to maintain a positive self-image and social standing.

Question 14

What question does control theory ask that is different from other theory perspectives?

Accepted Answer

Control theory focuses on understanding why people conform to societal norms and do not commit crimes, rather than why they do.

Question 15

Which of the following theorems of white-collar offending developed by Hirschi is correct?

Accepted Answer

Hirschi's social control theory suggests that individuals with strong commitments to conventional lines of action, such as career or family, are less likely to engage in deviant behavior, including workplace offending.

Question 16

One study on self-control suggests that individuals with high morality have what tendency with regard to committing white-collar crime?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with high morality are generally less likely to commit white-collar crimes, regardless of their level of self-control, as their moral values guide their behavior.

Question 17

What idea was established after two researchers studied presentence reports of both white-collar criminals and conventional criminals?

Accepted Answer

The researchers found that self-control operates differently based on circumstances and situational factors, suggesting that the context can influence the expression of self-control in both white-collar and conventional criminals.

Question 18

Which theory focuses on changes in society impacting white-collar crime rates?

Accepted Answer

Routine activities theory suggests that changes in societal structure and dynamics, such as those in daily routines and activities, can influence the rates of various types of crimes, including white-collar crimes. This theory posits that the likelihood of crime increases with the convergence in space and time of motivated offenders, suitable targets, and the absence of capable guardians. Changes in society, such as technological advancements, economic shifts, and alterations in work patterns, can thus impact the occurrence of white-collar crimes by affecting these three elements.

Question 19

According to the routine activities theory, which of the following is not an element that must be present for crime to occur?

Accepted Answer

Routine activities theory posits that three elements must be present for a crime to occur: motivated offenders, suitable targets, and the absence of capable guardians. The motivations to commit crime are inherent in the presence of motivated offenders, thus making "motivations to commit crime" not a separate element according to this theory.

Question 20

Which theory focuses on the way in which those with power exert influence in order to use the law as an instrument of power?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory focuses on how those with power use the law as an instrument to maintain and enhance their power, emphasizing the role of social and economic inequalities in shaping the legal system and its outcomes.

Quiz 12: Explaining White-Collar Crime