Question 1

Social learning theorists believe that there is a correlation between exposure to media violence and the violent aggressive behaviour of children.

Accepted Answer

Social learning theory posits that individuals learn new behaviors by observing others within a social context, and this includes exposure to media. Research conducted in this area has found a correlation between exposure to media violence and heightened aggressiveness in children. Therefore, social learning theorists would support the idea that there is a connection between media violence exposure and violent aggressive behavior in children.

Question 2

The early research of Lombroso and his contemporaries is regarded as scientific fact.

Accepted Answer

The early research of Lombroso and his contemporaries was later heavily criticized and rejected by the scientific community for its lack of scientific rigor and ethical concerns. Therefore, it is not regarded as scientific fact but rather a historical example of flawed research.

Question 3

According to Freud's version of psychodynamic theory, the human personality has a three-part structure: the id, the conscience, and the superego.

Accepted Answer

According to Freud's psychodynamic theory, the human personality is structured into three parts: the id, the ego, and the superego, not the conscience.

Question 4

The "Twinkie defence" promoted the view that biochemical conditions influence antisocial behaviour.

Accepted Answer

The "Twinkie defence" refers to a legal case in which a defendant argued that his consumption of sugary foods, including Twinkies, contributed to his commission of a crime. While this argument has been widely criticized and ultimately unsuccessful, it did raise the idea that factors such as diet and biochemistry may play a role in shaping behavior.

Question 5

What has research determined about the relationship between IQ and criminality?

Accepted Answer

Research on the relationship between IQ and criminality has produced mixed and inconclusive results. Some studies have suggested a weak or no association between IQ and criminal behavior while others have found that lower IQ is associated with higher rates of criminality. Therefore, the IQ-crime link is still a subject of continued research.

Question 6

What would a cognitive theorist be most likely to say about why an individual engages in violent behaviour at the least provocation?

Accepted Answer

A cognitive theorist would likely argue that the individual lacks sufficient cognitive flexibility to consider alternative, nonviolent responses to challenging events. This may be due to cognitive distortions or schemas that lead the individual to perceive violence as the only viable solution.

Question 7

Surgical procedures used to alter the brains of sex offenders have been proven scientifically reliable in reducing their sex drives, which lead them to offend.

Accepted Answer

There is no scientific consensus that surgical procedures to alter the brains of sex offenders reliably reduce their sex drives or prevent reoffending. Such approaches are ethically controversial and lack robust evidence of efficacy and safety.

Question 8

Biosocial theorists believe that people who are predisposed to crime may simply have more opportunities to commit illegal acts in the summer in Saskatoon and Winnipeg than in the winter in Kitchener and Trois-Rivières.

Accepted Answer

Biosocial theorists believe that a combination of biological and social factors can influence criminal behavior, and they suggest that certain environmental factors, such as weather patterns, can create more opportunities for crime. Therefore, it is believed that people who are predisposed to crime may have more opportunities to commit illegal acts in the summer in places like Saskatoon and Winnipeg, which have warmer weather, than in the winter in places like Kitchener and Trois-Rivières, which have colder weather.

Question 9

Since Freud's original research, psychoanalysts have continued to view criminals as ego-dominated persons who suffer from one or more disorders that render them incapable of controlling impulsive, pleasure-seeking drives.

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalysts, following Freud's theories, generally view criminals as individuals with underdeveloped egos, making them unable to control their id-driven impulses for immediate gratification, rather than being ego-dominated.

Question 10

Biosocial theorists suggest that there are born criminals and noncriminals.

Accepted Answer

Biosocial theorists do not suggest that there are born criminals and noncriminals. They suggest that there are biological and environmental factors that interact to influence criminal behavior.

Question 11

According to arousal theory, for a variety of genetic and environmental reasons, some people's brains function differently in response to environmental stimuli.

Accepted Answer

Arousal theory suggests that individual differences in arousal levels have a genetic and environmental basis, which affects how individuals respond to environmental stimuli.

Question 12

While some criminologists find a link between intelligence and crime, others dispute any linkage between IQ level and law-violating behaviours.

Accepted Answer

Some criminologists do believe in a link between IQ level and crime, while others do not.

Question 13

Information-processing theory has been used to explain the occurrence of date rape.

Accepted Answer

Information-processing theory argues that the way people perceive, store, and use information can impact their decision-making, including when it comes to sexual interactions. This theory has been applied to understanding the factors that contribute to date rape, including miscommunication, misinterpretation of clues, and cognitive biases.

Question 14

Most perpetrators of extreme acts of violence and horrifically brutal murders are spurred on in these acts because they are clearly mad or crazy at the time of their crime; they therefore lack the ability to discern right from wrong.

Accepted Answer

Many perpetrators of extreme acts of violence and brutal murders are not necessarily suffering from a mental illness that impairs their ability to discern right from wrong. Factors such as anger, hatred, revenge, or ideological beliefs often play a significant role. Mental illness alone does not account for the majority of these acts, and many individuals who commit such crimes are found to be legally sane at the time of their offenses.

Question 15

Biosocial research has found that abnormal levels of androgens produce aggressive behaviour.

Accepted Answer

Biosocial research has found a correlation between abnormal levels of androgens and aggression. Androgens are male sex hormones, such as testosterone, that are also present in females in smaller amounts. Higher levels of androgens have been linked to increased aggression in both men and women. However, it is important to note that the relationship between androgens and aggression is complex and influenced by a variety of factors.

Question 16

What do social learning theorists believe are the sources of the messages we receive about acceptable behaviour?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do social learning theorists believe are...

Question 17

Which statement is true regarding the psychodynamic perspective on criminals?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which statement is true regarding the psychodynamic...

Question 18

There is well-documented criticism which suggests that IQ tests are race and class biased.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that IQ tests are not a completely accurate measure of intelligence and may be biased towards certain groups, including those of different races and socioeconomic status. This raises concerns about the fairness and validity of the results.

Question 19

Which variable plays a role in the relationship between intelligence and crime, according to research published by Travis Hirschi and Michael Hindelang?

Accepted Answer

School performance is a significant variable in the relationship between intelligence and crime, as found in the research by Travis Hirschi and Michael Hindelang. They discovered that poor school performance is more strongly correlated with delinquency than IQ, suggesting that how well individuals do in school affects their likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior.

Question 20

Social learning theorists view violence as something learned through a process called behaviour imitation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Social learning theorists view violence as something...

Quiz 5: Trait Theory: ITS in Their Blood