Question 1

Most sentencing research examines the sentences imposed on offenders convicted of:

Accepted Answer

While research on all types of sentencing is important, most sentencing research tends to focus on felonies, which are more serious crimes than misdemeanors and typically carry longer prison sentences. This is because felony sentencing often involves complex legal and social issues, such as mandatory minimum sentences, the use of prior convictions to enhance sentences, and racial and ethnic disparities in sentencing. Additionally, many studies on sentencing have examined the impact of various legal reforms on felony sentencing outcomes.

Question 2

According to the research on disparity and sentencing,racial minorities are sentenced more harshly when the victim is ________________.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that racial minorities are sentenced more harshly when the victim is white. This phenomenon is known as the "racial empathy gap," where people have less empathy and are less likely to view a crime as serious if the victim is from a different racial group.

Question 3

Recent studies examining racial disparity in sentencing have included _______________because of their popular image as "the model minority."⁵⁷

Accepted Answer

Recent studies examining racial disparity in sentencing have included Asian Americans because despite their popular image as "the model minority," they still face bias and discrimination in the criminal justice system.

Question 4

The numerous studies of racial disparity in sentencing conducted during the 1970s and 1980s are notable for their __________ theoretical and methodological sophistication.

Accepted Answer

The phrase "notable for their" suggests that the studies are being highlighted for a specific characteristic. Given the context of academic studies, "variation in" theoretical and methodological sophistication is the most plausible answer, as it acknowledges the diverse approaches and levels of complexity in the studies conducted during that period.

Question 5

When racial disparity in sentencing occurs in some contexts,but not others,it is called:

Accepted Answer

Subtle racial discrimination refers to discrimination that is not overt or consistent across all contexts, but occurs in specific situations or under certain conditions.

Question 6

Research comparing the sentences of illegal immigrants to U.S.citizens has found that illegal immigrants are more likely to be sentenced to prison,but are more likely to _____________________.

Accepted Answer

Research shows that illegal immigrants are more likely to be sentenced to prison, but when they are sentenced, they are more likely to receive a shorter prison sentence compared to U.S. citizens.

Question 7

Ojmarrh Mitchell's meta-analysis of published research on race and sentencing found a larger effect size in jurisdictions without _________________.

Accepted Answer

Ojmarrh Mitchell's meta-analysis found that jurisdictions without structured sentencing guidelines had a larger effect size in race and sentencing, suggesting that the presence of such guidelines may help reduce racial disparities in sentencing.

Question 8

Studies conducted from the 1930s through the 1960s generally concluded that racial disparities in sentencing reflected __________ racial discrimination.

Accepted Answer

Studies conducted from the 1930s through the 1960s generally concluded that racial disparities in sentencing reflected overt racial discrimination, meaning that race was explicitly taken into account in the sentencing process.

Question 9

Reviews of sentencing studies from the 1930s through the 1960s found that most were:

Accepted Answer

Reviews of sentencing studies from the 1930s through the 1960s found that most were methodologically flawed, meaning that they had shortcomings in their research design or methodology, such as small sample sizes or bias.

Question 10

To be fair,a sentencing scheme must allow the judge or jury _______to shape sentences to fit individuals and their crimes.

Accepted Answer

A fair sentencing scheme must allow judges or juries to have the discretion to consider individual circumstances and the nature of the crime when determining an appropriate sentence. This prevents a one-size-fits-all approach and allows for the consideration of mitigating or aggravating factors that may impact the sentence. Power, time, and discrimination do not necessarily relate to the need for discretion in shaping sentences.

Question 11

The term __________ characterizes that segment of the deviant population that is viewed as particularly threatening and dangerous.

Accepted Answer

The term "social dynamite" is often used to describe individuals who are seen as particularly dangerous and capable of causing harm to others. This may include individuals who have a history of violent behavior, predatory tendencies, or other forms of dangerous behavior. The term "predators" and "social predators" are similar to "social dynamite," but do not have the same level of specificity in terms of describing the perceived threat of these individuals. "Social feeders" is not a term commonly used in criminology or sociology to describe deviant behavior.

Question 12

Steffensmeier and Demuth's study of race and sentencing in Pennsylvania revealed that ________________had the highest likelihood of being incarcerated.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Steffensmeier and Demuth's study of race and...

Question 13

_________________is one example of a "process-related" factor that interacts with race to explain disparity in sentencing between minorities and whites.

Accepted Answer

Pretrial detention, which refers to the time period between arrest and trial, can have a significant impact on the outcome of a case. Research has shown that minorities are more likely to be detained pretrial and for longer periods of time than whites, which can increase the likelihood of being sentenced to prison and receiving longer sentences. This is one example of how a process-related factor interacts with race to explain sentencing disparities.

Question 14

The __________ suggests that jurors deviate from their fact-finding mission in cases in which the evidence against the defendant is weak or contradictory.

Accepted Answer

The liberation hypothesis suggests that when the evidence against the defendant is weak or contradictory, jurors may deviate from their fact-finding mission and instead use the trial as an opportunity to express their broader values and beliefs, thus "liberating" themselves from strict adherence to the law and the evidence.

Question 15

____________________is a legally relevant factor that may very well be "race-linked"..

Accepted Answer

Prior criminal record is a legally relevant factor that may be considered in sentencing or in determining guilt or innocence. However, there is evidence that race can play a significant role in the likelihood of being arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime, making it a "race-linked" factor. Place of residence, education, and socioeconomic status may also have an impact on legal outcomes, but they are not necessarily legally relevant factors in the same way that criminal history is.

Question 16

According to Zatz,the issue of __________ in sentencing "may well have been the major research inquiry for studies of sentencing in the 1970s and 1980s."

Accepted Answer

Racial disparity is the correct answer because it is the issue that Zatz refers to as "the major research inquiry for studies of sentencing in the 1970s and 1980s."

Question 17

There are _____ types of evidence of racial disparity in sentencing identified by the authors.

Accepted Answer

The answer of There are _____ types of evidence of...

Question 18

Concerns about the changes in the racial/ethnic makeup of a community,coupled with stereotypes linking race and ethnicity to drug use and drug-related crime and violence,may lead to __________ among sentencing officials.

Accepted Answer

Unconscious racism is a form of discrimination that occurs when people make decisions based on stereotypes or biases that they are not aware of. In the given question, the concerns about the changes in the racial/ethnic makeup of a community, coupled with stereotypes linking race and ethnicity to drug use and drug-related crime and violence, may lead to unconscious racism among sentencing officials.

Question 19

The judge or jury must be free to consider all relevant aggravating and ________ circumstances.

Accepted Answer

The use of the word "aggravating" suggests that the other type of circumstances that must be considered are mitigating circumstances. Therefore, the correct answer is D, mitigating. The other options, prejudicial and racial, are not relevant to the sentence and important is too vague of a descriptor.

Question 20

Sentencing studies from the 1930s through the 1960s usually used __________ statistical techniques.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sentencing studies from the 1930s through the...

Quiz 7: Race and Sentencing: in Search of Fairness and Justice