Question 1

Which of the following theories asserts that the gender-power makeup in the parents' relationship influences their children's delinquent behavior in gendered ways?

Accepted Answer

Power control theory argues that the gender dynamics within a family, including the balance of power between parents, influence their children's delinquent behavior in gendered ways. Specifically, children are more likely to internalize attitudes and behaviors that correspond with their gender role expectations within the family. Therefore, power control theory emphasizes the importance of understanding gender dynamics within families when studying juvenile delinquency.

Question 2

In studies associated with power control theory, researchers have found a greater gender difference in delinquency rates in ______ homes.

Accepted Answer

Power control theory suggests that in patriarchal homes, where fathers hold the majority of power and decision-making authority, sons are more likely to be given greater freedom and less supervision, which can lead to greater delinquent behavior. This theory does not apply as strongly to egalitarian homes, where parents share power and decision-making equally, or to single-parent homes, where there may not be a male figure present to hold significant power. The concept of unrestricted homes is not clarified or supported by power control theory research.

Question 3

Which of the following words is often used by scholars who assess power control theories?

Accepted Answer

Scholars often use the term "mixed" when assessing power control theories because there are varying opinions and evidence regarding the effectiveness of such theories.

Question 4

Which approach suggests that the feminist movement increased the female crime rate?

Accepted Answer

The emancipation hypothesis suggests that with more equality and freedom, women will have the same opportunities and therefore participate in more criminal behavior. The feminist movement provided a platform for women to advocate for their rights and increase their involvement in activities previously reserved for men, which could have led to an increase in female crime rates. The other three theories do not make this specific claim.

Question 5

Which of the following is considered to be troubling assumption of women's liberation/emancipation hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

The assumption that feminism makes women want to behave like men is considered to be troubling because it reinforces the idea that there are inherent differences between men and women, and that women can only be equal to men by adopting traditionally masculine traits and behaviors. This assumption also ignores the diversity of experiences and identities within the feminist movement, and the fact that women have their own unique perspectives and contributions to make to society.

Question 6

Which assumption of women's liberation/emancipation hypothesis loses credibility when faced with statistics showing that women have not achieved equality in high-paying and managerial professions?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which assumption of women's liberation/emancipation hypothesis loses...

Question 7

The growing number of women living in poverty (with or without dependents) is referred to as the ______.

Accepted Answer

The term "feminization of poverty" refers to the trend of more and more women living in poverty, either with or without dependents. It reflects the fact that the poverty rate among women is disproportionately high compared to men, and that poverty has a gendered dimension that affects women's lives in unique ways. The other choices (A, C, D) do not accurately describe this trend.

Question 8

Which of the following theories was considered to be very biological in nature and fraught with sexism, racism, and classism?

Accepted Answer

The positivist theory was considered to be very biological in nature and fraught with sexism, racism, and classism. This theory suggests that criminal behavior is determined by biological, psychological, and social factors, but it has been criticized for its reductionist approach and its reliance on biology to explain criminal behavior, which has led to unfair and biased judgments against different groups.

Question 9

Which type of theory, developed in the mid-1980s, has mixed support and makes sexist assumptions?

Accepted Answer

The power control theory, developed in the mid-1980s, has been criticized for making sexist assumptions, particularly in how it explains gender differences in delinquency based on family structure and parental control.

Question 10

The ______ approach was based on erroneous and sexist and class assumptions about the feminist movement and statistics, and the interpretations of data were often misleading.

Accepted Answer

The statement mentions erroneous and sexist assumptions about the feminist movement, which is associated with the women's liberation/emancipation hypothesis. The other options (positivist, power control, and differential association) do not directly relate to the feminist movement or assumptions about it.

Question 11

Most criminological theories were constructed by men and about why (some) men and boys break the law.

Accepted Answer

This is true. Most criminological theories have been developed by male researchers and focused on explaining why males engage in criminal behavior. However, there has been growing interest in recent years in developing theories that incorporate female experiences and behaviors.

Question 12

Atavism is a concept that views some deviant behavior as a "throwback" to an earlier evolutionary stage in human development.

Accepted Answer

Atavism is a concept that suggests that some deviant behavior may be a result of a reversion back to a primitive or ancestral type of behavior, rather than solely being a result of social or environmental factors.

Question 13

Otto Pollak is often referred to as the "father" of criminology.

Accepted Answer

Cesare Lombroso is often referred to as the "father" of criminology, not Otto Pollak. Lombroso's theory of the "born criminal" and his work in the late 19th century were foundational in the development of criminology as a discipline.

Question 14

Sigmund Freud, in his theorizing, firmly maintained that deviants are less highly evolved than "normal" law-abiding citizens.

Accepted Answer

Freud's theories focused on the unconscious mind and psychosexual development rather than evolutionary stages of morality or legal obedience. He did not claim that deviants were less evolved than law-abiding citizens.

Question 15

Madonna's were considered to be subservient, loyal, and submissive to their husbands who protected them.

Accepted Answer

This was the cultural norm and expectation during the time period in which Madonna refers to in her music.

Question 16

W. I. Thomas favored psychological over economic motivations to explain female criminality.

Accepted Answer

W. I. Thomas believed that psychological and social factors, such as lack of education and opportunities, were more important in understanding female criminal behavior than economic motivations.

Question 17

Sigmund Freud centered his explanations of female behavior on the belief that women are anatomically inferior to men.

Accepted Answer

Freud believed in a concept called "penis envy," which was based on the belief that women were envious of men's anatomy and therefore had behavioral differences. This belief is now widely criticized and debunked.

Question 18

The infamous "penis envy" approach is credited to Sigmund Freud.

Accepted Answer

The concept of "penis envy" is indeed credited to Sigmund Freud in his psychoanalytic theory.

Question 19

Positivists failed to see sexism in access to power, nor how this could intersect with race, class, and other characteristics.

Accepted Answer

Positivism, as a sociological theory, primarily focuses on empirical observations and verifiable data to explain social phenomena. However, positivists often overlooked the role of power and social inequalities in shaping social reality, including issues related to gender, race, class, and other identities. Therefore, they failed to recognize the ways in which sexism intersects with other forms of oppression, leading to inequalities in access to power and resources in society.

Question 20

Some argue that the primary legacy of the positivists in the 1990s and since is the researchers promoting the women's liberation/emancipation hypotheses.

Accepted Answer

The primary legacy of the positivists, especially from the 19th and early 20th centuries, is their emphasis on empirical evidence and the scientific method in the study of social phenomena, rather than specifically promoting women's liberation/emancipation hypotheses.

Quiz 2: Theories Part I: Positivist, Evolutionary, Strain, Differential Association, Social Control, and Womens Emancipation Theories