Question 1

What does the concept of general deterrence suggest?

Accepted Answer

The concept of general deterrence suggests that the decision to commit a crime is affected by the perceived likelihood of punishment. In other words, if people believe they are likely to be punished for committing a crime, they will be less likely to do so. This is different from specific deterrence, which suggests that punishing individual offenders will deter them from committing future crimes.

Question 2

According to rational choice theory, crime is an event. What then is criminality?

Accepted Answer

Criminality refers to the tendency or disposition to engage in criminal behavior. According to rational choice theory, individuals weigh the costs and benefits of engaging in criminal behavior and make a calculated choice to commit the crime. Therefore, criminality can be seen as a result of rational decision-making rather than an uncontrollable drive or a coping mechanism.

Question 3

Fred Desroches conducted research on bank robbery. Which of the following summarizes several of his findings?

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

The fact that a young person in a tightly knit community is less likely to commit crime than a young person who lives in a transient community where few people know her could be partially explained by which factor?

Accepted Answer

The perceived threat of informal sanctions is stronger in a tightly knit community where residents know each other well and are more likely to hold each other accountable for their actions. This sense of accountability and potential for informal social control can deter a young person from committing crime.

Question 5

Historically, there have been several calls to reinstate capital punishment in Canada. Which research finding is the reason why this has not happened despite support from the public?

Accepted Answer

Despite support from the public, research has consistently shown that the use of capital punishment does not decrease violent crime rates. This evidence is likely the reason why capital punishment has not been reinstated in Canada.

Question 6

Which elements are critical to the rational choice perspective of crime?

Accepted Answer

The rational choice perspective of crime is primarily based on the idea that individuals will choose to commit a crime if the benefits of doing so outweigh the potential costs. Therefore, the elements critical to this perspective include the skills possessed by the offender (i.e. the ability to successfully commit the crime), as well as the rewards of the offence (i.e. what the offender stands to gain from committing the crime). Greed and the need for instant gratification may play a role in an individual's decision to commit a crime, but they are not necessarily critical components of the rational choice perspective. Degree of poverty and transient population in a region may be related to crime rates, but they do not address the individual decision-making process involved in committing a crime. Mental health of the offender and vulnerability of the victim may also be factors that contribute to a crime, but they are not essential components of the rational choice perspective.

Question 7

The local police have increased patrols to a park drug dealers and vandals frequent. It seems as though the problem is solved but it is also possible that the criminals have simply moved to a new park. If this is so, what term is used to describe the effect of the police patrols in this situation?

Accepted Answer

The best choice is D because displacement is the term used to describe the effect of the police patrols in this situation if the criminals have simply moved to a new park. Displacement occurs when the problem is not solved but simply moved to a different location. Desistence refers to the permanent cessation of criminal activity, discouragement refers to the prevention of individuals from starting to engage in criminal activity, and extinction refers to the gradual reduction and eventual elimination of criminal activity through various measures.

Question 8

What does research suggest about whether or not street crimes are rational?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that street crimes are rational in that offenders carefully consider the target and the method of commission. They weigh the potential risks and rewards and make decisions accordingly. This is known as the rational choice perspective in criminology. However, this does not mean that all street crimes are successful or that offenders always receive large rewards.

Question 9

Evidence of rational choice theory indicates that criminals selectively choose which targets to victimize. Which one of the following targets are they most likely to AVOID?

Accepted Answer

Well-organized community neighbourhoods typically have stronger security measures and a greater sense of collective efficacy among residents, making them less attractive targets for offenders.

Question 10

What term did sociologist Jack Katz use to describe immediate benefits, often a thrill or sense of superiority, which draw offenders into committing crimes?

Accepted Answer

Sociologist Jack Katz used the term "the seductions of crime" to describe the immediate benefits that often draw offenders into committing crimes, such as the thrill or sense of superiority.

Question 11

Crime prevention tactics used today generally fall into one of four categories. Which of the following categories would the installation of metal detectors at school entrances fit into?

Accepted Answer

Metal detectors at school entrances would increase the risk of committing crime, as potential perpetrators would be more likely to be caught and face consequences for carrying weapons or other prohibited items onto school grounds.

Question 12

According to research, what type of specific deterrence is most effective in reducing recidivism rates?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to research, what type of specific...

Question 13

Which of the following defines the term "edgework"?

Accepted Answer

Edgework refers to the thrill or excitement that motivates people to engage in risky behaviors, including committing crimes. This concept was developed by sociologist Stephen Lyng in the 1990s.

Question 14

Which scenario illustrates specific deterrence in action?

Accepted Answer

Specific deterrence refers to the idea that punishing an individual for a crime will deter them from committing that crime again in the future. In scenario C, John experienced the punishment of being caught, held, and sentenced for selling drugs, which leads him to vow never to do it again. This illustrates specific deterrence in action. The other scenarios involve general deterrence (A and D) and rational choice theory (B).

Question 15

The perception of the general public is that the criminal justice system is far too lenient. What does the research evidence suggest about the use of harsher penalties as a method of deterrence?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that harsher penalties do not necessarily lead to decreased crime rates. Other factors such as the likelihood of being caught, the severity and swiftness of punishment, and the individual's personal circumstances are also seen to play a significant role in deterrence. Additionally, research has also suggested that overly harsh sentences can lead to increased recidivism rates and other negative outcomes. Therefore, while harsh penalties may have some deterrent effect, they are not a silver bullet solution and should be implemented with caution.

Question 16

Which is a difference between stigmatization and reintegrative shaming?

Accepted Answer

The key difference between stigmatization and reintegrative shaming is the way the offender is labelled. Stigmatization involves labelling the offender as evil or bad, while reintegrative shaming condemns the offender's actions but focuses on reconnecting the offender with the community. In other words, reintegrative shaming aims to show the offender that their behavior was wrong, but they are still valued members of the community and can make amends.

Question 17

In what school of criminology does rational choice theory have its roots?

Accepted Answer

Rational choice theory is based on the classical school of criminology, which emphasizes human rationality, free will, and the idea that individuals choose to commit crime after weighing the potential rewards and costs.

Question 18

At a local high school, increased patrols of the smoking area of the schoolyard have resulted in a significant decrease in drug dealing. There has also been a decrease in incidents of bullying in the schoolyard. What is the term for this impact of the patrols?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the diffusion of benefits, where the efforts made in one area (increased patrols of the smoking area) have had a positive impact in other areas as well (decrease in drug dealing and incidents of bullying). The benefits of the increased patrols have spread to other parts of the schoolyard.

Question 19

Which statement summarizes a rational choice theorist's view of crime?

Accepted Answer

Rational choice theorists view crime as a result of offenders weighing the potential rewards of criminal behavior against the potential risks. They believe that offenders make a calculated decision to engage in criminal behavior, and that by increasing the perceived risks or decreasing the perceived rewards, crime can be reduced. Therefore, option C is the statement that best summarizes a rational choice theorist's view of crime.

Question 20

What are target reduction strategies designed to do?

Accepted Answer

Target reduction strategies are designed to decrease the potential value of crime for the offender, which may include increasing the difficulty of committing the crime, increasing the perceived risk of apprehension, or decreasing the rewards for committing the crime.

Quiz 4: Choice Theory: Because They Want to