Question 1

Freud proposed a psychoanalytic theory that crime is caused by unconscious drives and forces.

Accepted Answer

According to Freud's psychoanalytic theory, crime is caused by unconscious drives and forces such as repressed childhood traumas, unresolved conflicts, and instinctual impulses.

Question 2

Research shows that the number of women being arrested has decreased significantly in recent times.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that the number of women being arrested has been increasing over the past few decades, contrary to the trend for men, which has seen a decrease or stabilization in many areas. This increase in women's arrests has been noted particularly in drug-related offenses and minor crimes.

Question 3

Similar to men,women who engage in criminal activity disproportionately come from poor families.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that women who participate in criminal activities are more likely to come from disadvantaged backgrounds or families living in poverty. Poverty often results in social exclusion, limited access to education and job opportunities, and exposure to crime-prone neighborhoods, which increase the likelihood of engaging in criminal activities.

Question 4

Marxism is an example of a social conflict theory.

Accepted Answer

Marxism is a social conflict theory that focuses on class struggle and the exploitation of the working class by the owning class. Marx believed that society was divided into two opposing classes, the proletariat (working class) and the bourgeoisie (owning class), and that the struggle between these two classes was the driving force behind social change.

Question 5

Victims are generally to blame for the crime that occurred against them.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Victims are not to blame for crimes that are committed against them, regardless of the circumstances or choices they may have made leading up to the crime. The blame lies solely with the perpetrator or perpetrators who chose to commit the crime. It is important to avoid victim-blaming, as it can further harm the survivor and perpetuate harmful attitudes and beliefs about violence.

Question 6

Cesare Lombroso's medical training led him to believe that certain people are born criminals.

Accepted Answer

Cesare Lombroso, a 19th-century Italian criminologist, theorized that certain individuals are born criminals due to their physical characteristics and atavistic traits. He believed that these people could be identified through his system of phrenology and anthropometry.

Question 7

Lifestyle-exposure theory is based on the idea that different kinds of people have different kinds of experiences with crime.

Accepted Answer

Lifestyle-exposure theory proposes that individuals' lifestyles and behaviors influence their risk of exposure to crime, and that different individuals have different levels of exposure to crime based on their daily routines, activities, and social interactions.

Question 8

Most theories about crime are based on men.

Accepted Answer

Most theories about crime have been historically based on men, their behavior, and their experiences. However, there is increasing recognition that gender plays a significant role in crime and victimization, and more recent theories have begun to address the gendered nature of these phenomena.

Question 9

Fear of crime is the greatest in urban areas.

Accepted Answer

Studies consistently show that fear of crime is highest in urban areas, where crime rates tend to be higher and incidents are more likely to be reported in the media.

Question 10

Reduction in crime rates reduces the fear of crime.

Accepted Answer

While one might logically assume that a reduction in crime rates would lead to a decrease in the fear of crime, research has shown that the fear of crime can be influenced by various factors beyond actual crime rates, such as media coverage, personal experiences, and perceptions of community cohesion and police effectiveness. Therefore, even if crime rates decrease, the fear of crime may not necessarily follow suit.

Question 11

Victimology has always been at the heart of criminology.

Accepted Answer

Victimology, the study of victims and their patterns, emerged as a distinct area within criminology in the mid-20th century, whereas criminology as a discipline, focusing on the study of crime and criminals, has been around since the 18th century.

Question 12

A state of anomie is one in which rules or norms that guide behavior have been strengthened or reinforced.

Accepted Answer

Anomie refers to a state in which rules or norms that guide behavior have weakened or broken down, leading to a sense of normlessness or confusion about what is expected. Strengthening or reinforcing rules or norms would actually be the opposite of anomie.

Question 13

Classical criminology argues that criminal behavior is irrational.

Accepted Answer

Classical criminology argues that criminal behavior is a rational choice made by individuals who weigh the potential benefits against the risks of getting caught and punished. Criminals are seen as calculating and making a cost-benefit analysis when committing crimes.

Question 14

Positivist criminologists believe that science can be used to discover the causes of crime and to treat deviants.

Accepted Answer

Positivist criminologists believe in using scientific methods to study the causes and ways to treat deviance and criminal behavior.

Question 15

The intangible costs of crime are small.

Accepted Answer

The intangible costs of crime, such as emotional trauma and loss of trust in society, can be significant and long-lasting, ultimately affecting the quality of life for individuals and communities.

Question 16

Television has no real relationship to people's fears of victimization.

Accepted Answer

Television has been shown to have a significant impact on people's perceptions and fears of victimization, particularly in terms of the types of crimes and perpetrators that are portrayed in the media. Studies have found that frequent exposure to violent or sensationalized content on television can increase feelings of anxiety and perceived risk of victimization, even if the actual likelihood of such incidents occurring is low.

Question 17

Most theories about crime focus on both the poor and the wealthy.

Accepted Answer

Most theories about crime primarily focus on the poor and the reasons for their involvement in criminal activity, often neglecting the criminal behaviors of the wealthy.

Question 18

Race is a key factor in exposure to crime.

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently found that race is a key factor in exposure to crime. Minorities, particularly African Americans and Latinos, are disproportionately more likely to be victims of crime compared to their white counterparts. They are also more likely to be stopped, searched, and arrested by law enforcement. This disparity is often attributed to systemic racism and bias within the criminal justice system.

Question 19

The tangible costs of crime are large.

Accepted Answer

Tangible costs of crime refer to the direct economic losses such as property damage, medical expenses, and lost productivity, which can be substantial. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 20

Emile Durkheim believed that crime was an unnatural part of social life.

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim viewed crime as a natural and necessary part of social life, arguing that it plays a role in defining moral boundaries and promoting social cohesion.

Quiz 2: Victimization and Criminal Behavior