Question 1

What is another term for "conventional crime"?

Accepted Answer

Conventional crime refers to street crime or common crimes committed by individuals such as robbery, theft, assault, and vandalism.

Question 2

Which of the following would be considered a "conventional crime"?

Accepted Answer

Conventional crimes are those that are commonly committed and punished under criminal law, such as robbery, burglary, and murder. Of the options given, only armed robbery falls under this category. Espionage and treason are typically considered national security crimes, and corporate crime involves violations of business and financial laws.

Question 3

According to conflict theory, those in power define what is criminal and what is not. What do these definitions reflect?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory posits that those in power use their power to define what is criminal and what is not in a way that is beneficial to them. This means that criminal definitions reflect the interests of the ruling class, rather than the moral standards of society or the interests of future generations. As such, criminal definitions may be used to maintain power and control over certain groups, rather than to ensure justice and fairness for all. The interests of the police may be relevant in some cases, but are not the main driving force behind criminal definitions according to conflict theory.

Question 4

Which of the following does the term "secondary deviance" refer to?

Accepted Answer

Secondary deviance refers to deviant behavior that results from being caught and labeled as an offender. Once labeled, individuals may internalize the label and continue engaging in deviant behavior, thus becoming a "secondary" deviant.

Question 5

Which of the following theories postulates that law enforcement is applied differentially, penalizing those without power and benefiting those with power?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory postulates that law enforcement is applied differentially, penalizing those without power and benefiting those with power. Conflict theory suggests that laws and law enforcement are created and enforced by those in power to maintain their dominance, and that those with less power are more likely to be targeted and punished. This can result in systemic inequalities and discrimination in the criminal justice system.

Question 6

Research cited in the textbook found that (a) a good marriage contributes to the cessation of a criminal career and (b) local community ties decrease the probability of crimes occurring. Which of the following theories of crime do these findings support?

Accepted Answer

The findings support control theory which emphasizes the role of social bonds, such as marriage and involvement in the community, in preventing criminal behavior.

Question 7

Which of the following theories emphasizes the role of Hirschi's concept of the social bond?

Accepted Answer

Control theory emphasizes the role of Hirschi's concept of the social bond, which includes attachment to others, commitment to social institutions and conformity to social norms.

Question 8

According to Merton, which of the following categories do most people fall into?

Accepted Answer

According to Merton's Strain Theory, most people fall into the category of conformists who accept societal goals and work within the system to achieve them. Ritualists reject the goal of success but continue to follow the means of achieving it. Innovators accept the goal but reject the means prescribed by society, while retreatists reject both the goal and means and may withdraw from society altogether.

Question 9

According to Sutherland's differential association theory of crime, which of the following do individuals learn?

Accepted Answer

According to Sutherland's theory, individuals learn values and attitudes associated with crime through their interactions with others. The theory does not address learning techniques for adjusting to prison life, how to respond to police questioning, or post-prison skills.

Question 10

What is the least common violent crime in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Homicide is the least common violent crime in Canada. According to Statista, in 2019, there were 577 homicide incidents in Canada, which is a rate of 1.55 homicides per 100,000 population. In comparison, there were 22,335 level 3 assaults, 5,183 level 3 sexual assaults, and 3,463 armed robberies reported to police in the same year.

Question 11

What theory attempts to explain why people conform to our laws?

Accepted Answer

Control theory attempts to explain why people conform to our laws by suggesting that individuals conform because of the social consequences of deviant behavior, such as punishment or negative societal reactions. This theory suggests that people are inherently motivated to adhere to societal norms and conform to the expectations of those around them.

Question 12

According to labelling theory, which of the following statements applies to primary deviance?

Accepted Answer

According to labelling theory, primary deviance refers to deviant behavior that is committed before the person is caught or labeled. This behavior is often not seen as deviant by the individual and may only be considered deviant by some members of society.

Question 13

According to Merton's strain theory, which mode of adaptation is most associated with drug/alcohol abuse?

Accepted Answer

Retreatism is the mode of adaptation in which individuals both reject societal goals and institutional means. This often leads to a sense of hopelessness and frustration, and may result in turning to substance abuse as a coping mechanism.

Question 14

According to Merton's strain theory, which mode of adaptation is most associated with criminal behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Merton's strain theory suggests that individuals who are unable to achieve socially approved goals (such as financial success or upward mobility) through legitimate means may pursue these goals through innovative or criminal means. Therefore, innovation is most associated with criminal behavior according to this theory.

Question 15

What type of crime does labelling theory NOT explain very well?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What type of crime does labelling theory...

Question 16

Which of the following do subcultural theories of crime use to explain criminal activity?

Accepted Answer

Subcultural theories of crime focus on the crime-promoting attitudes and values of specific subgroups within society. These subcultures may reject mainstream values and norms and, instead, embrace their own set of beliefs and behaviors that condone criminal activity.

Answer: B 
 While social inequality and family disruption may be factors that contribute to criminal activity, they are not specifically used in subcultural theories of crime.

Answer: D 
 Low educational attainment may also be a factor that contributes to criminal activity, but it is not the focus of subcultural theories of crime.

Question 17

Which theory of crime suggests that children who see their parents benefit from crime, or who live in high-crime neighbourhoods where success is associated with illegal behaviour, are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Differential association theory suggests that criminal behaviour is learned through interactions with others who engage in crime. This theory emphasizes that individuals who experience frequent and intimate exposure to criminal behaviour are more likely to learn and adopt criminal values and norms. Thus, children who witness their parents or others in their community benefitting from crime are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour themselves. Control theory emphasizes the importance of social controls and attachment to conventional institutions in preventing crime. Strain theory argues that individuals who experience a disjunction between their goals and the means to achieve them are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour. Restorative justice theory focuses on repairing the harm caused by criminal behaviour and reconciling the relationship between the offender and the victim.

Question 18

Which theoretical perspective is the source of labelling theory?

Accepted Answer

Labelling theory is a theoretical perspective that emerged from symbolic interactionism, which focuses on how individuals interpret and respond to symbolic meanings in their social interactions. Labelling theory suggests that the labels assigned to individuals by institutions such as the criminal justice system can have long-lasting effects on their self-identity and social interactions.

Question 19

Which of the following is best explained by Merton's strain theory?

Accepted Answer

Merton's strain theory suggests that individuals who experience strain due to the gap between their aspirations and their opportunities or means to achieve them are more likely to engage in deviant behavior such as crime. This explanation fits with the crime committed by undereducated and poor individuals, who may feel the strain of their disadvantaged economic and social position.

Question 20

According to conflict theory, which of the following has a positive correlation to the crime rate in a society?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory posits that crime results from the unequal distribution of power and resources in a society. Inequality leads to social and economic disparities, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education and healthcare, which can increase the likelihood of criminal behavior. Therefore, inequality has a positive correlation with the crime rate.

Quiz 4: Crime and Violence