Deck 17: Other Social Influences

Question 1

Research shows that one of the major causes of crime and violence in our society is:

A) media violence
B) a lack of religion
C) working long hours at a job while enrolled in school
D) none of the above

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Many studies that examine the relationship between religion and delinquency can be criticized for their failure to:

A) develop a good measure of religion
B) develop a good measure of delinquency
C) examine a representative sample of respondents
D) control for potentially relevant third variables
E) all of the above

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Research indicates that religion has a _______ effect on delinquency, especially for ______ crimes.

A) modest; victimless
B) large; victimless
C) modest; serious
D) large; serious

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Work can lead to a(n) _______ in delinquency among those with a strong predisposition for delinquency.

A) increase
B) stabilization
C) reduction
D) none of the above

Question 5

A reasonable conclusion one can draw from the hundreds of studies that examine the effects of TV violence on juvenile violent behavior is that TV violence has _______ effect on juvenile violence.

A) no
B) a moderate
C) a moderate to large
D) a very large

Question 6

Under which of the following conditions is TV violence most likely to cause violent behavior?

A) Violence is rewarded and not punished.
B) Violence is realistic.
C) Negative consequences of violence are not shown.
D) Violence is presented as justified.
E) all of the above

Question 7

As noted in the text, drug use/sales are said to contribute to delinquency because they can:

A) weaken self-control
B) increase association with delinquent peers
C) increase the benefits and lower the costs of crime
D) increase strain
E) all of the above

Question 8

Data indicate that drugs and delinquency are associated because:

A) drug use/sales cause delinquency
B) delinquency causes drug use
C) third variables cause both drug use/sales and delinquency
D) all of the above

Question 9

According to the textbook, which of the following is (are) a common reason(s) that juveniles carry guns?

A) as a status symbol
B) for protection
C) to increase one's popularity with peers
D) all of the above

Question 10

Researchers seem to be in agreement that media violence is:

A) just one of many possible risk factors
B) for certain people harmful and contributes to aggressive behavior
C) probably not among the most important risk factors
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 11

In studies that have examined multiple risk factors simultaneously, the influence of media violence is often shown to be ________ in comparison with other factors, especially delinquent peers.

A) nonsignificant
B) weak
C) modest
D) strong

Question 12

According to the textbook, juveniles who own or carry guns are _________ to engage in most forms of delinquency.

A) much more likely
B) much less likely
C) as likely as other juveniles
D) as likely as gang members

Question 13

Researchers found that the gateway effect of drug use appears to be limited to:

A) people under the age of 21
B) those who are unemployed
C) females
D) all of the above

Question 14

According to Agnew and Brezina, in order to limit juvenile access to guns, it would be necessary to:

A) provide an age minimum for purchasing guns
B) make it illegal for juveniles to possess a gun
C) limit general access to guns
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 15

Which of the following statements are TRUE?

A) Individuals who commit crimes are frequently under the influence of drugs/alcohol.
B) Cocaine is the most common drug that offenders use.
C) Victimization data suggest that 1 in 10 violent crimes involve the use of alcohol.
D) All delinquents are drug users.

Question 16

More than ____ of institutionalized delinquents report having owned guns at some point in their lives.

A) 3%
B) 20%
C) 50%
D) 90%

Question 17

The large majority of juveniles with guns:

A) are female
B) obtain them illegally
C) use drugs
D) are hunters

Question 18

Which country has the highest rate of gun ownership in the industrialized world?

A) Sweden
B) Netherlands
C) Germany
D) United States

Question 19

Two independent studies indicate that growth in cell phone technology may have:

A) encouraged offending for both youth and adults
B) increased fear and anxiety among users
C) contributed to the recent drop in the national crime rate
D) caused many adults to ignore cyberbullying

Question 20

Individuals under the influence of certain drugs may be:

A) less aware of and concerned about the costs of crime
B) less likely to become upset with others and respond to provocations in an aggressive manner
C) less likely to act in ways that upset or provoke others
D) none of the above

Question 21

Draw on the leading delinquency theories to describe why religion might influence delinquency.

Question 22

What does the research indicate about the effect of religion on delinquency?

Question 23

How might we explain the fact that religion has a stronger effect on "victimless" crimes like drug use than on serious delinquency?

Question 24

Jillian's parents encourage her to get a job while she is in high school, believing this will reduce the likelihood of delinquency. Does the research challenge or support this belief?

Question 25

Many believe that media violence is a major cause of juvenile violence. Describe the research in this area and indicate whether it supports this belief.

Question 26

List the conditions under which TV/movie violence is most likely to cause violent behavior.

Question 27

Numerous studies suggest that media violence is not a major cause of delinquency and has only moderate effects on delinquency. Identify conditioning variables that might strengthen the effects of media violence on delinquency and explain these from a theoretical perspective.

Question 28

According to discussion in the text, drug use/sales are said to contribute to delinquency for a number of reasons. Discuss three of these reasons (i.e., explain how the use and/or sale of drugs increase delinquency).

Question 29

Agnew and Brezina state that drug testing upon arrest showed that many young men were under the influence of marijuana. Because current drug testing indicates only that the person used the drug sometime recently, what conclusions about the relationship between drugs and delinquency, if any, can we draw from such drug testing data?

Question 30

Identify three ways that chronic drug use may increase a juvenile's predisposition to engage in delinquency.

Question 31

Describe the prevalence of gun possession/ownership among juveniles.

Question 32

Data indicate a positive association between guns and crime. Does this mean that guns increase the likelihood of crime? Explain.

Question 33

Develop an argument for or against gun control that draws on the discussion presented in the text on guns as contributors to and preventers of crime.

Question 34

According to the textbook, do different religions or religious denominations have different effects on delinquency? If so, why do you think this would be?

Question 35

What are some of the measures that have been put into place for limiting children's exposure to violent TV and videos? Can you think of any other measures that may reduce exposure to media violence? Why would it be important to use these measures?

Question 36

What does research suggest about listening to music with violent themes, particularly heavy metal music and certain types of rap music, and the likelihood of aggression? Does this type of music increase or decrease the likelihood of aggression? Explain.

Question 37

What do we know about the "gateway effect" of teen marijuana use? What does the research suggest when third variables are considered?

Question 38

According to Agnew and Brezina, how do most juveniles obtain access to guns? Why is this troublesome?

Question 39

What are some of the arguments for and against marijuana legalization? Which side of the debate do you agree with the most?

Question 40

Use the major delinquency theories to explain how new electronic communication technologies may encourage delinquency.