Question 1

Which of the following trends is supported by both UCR and NCVS data?

Accepted Answer

Both UCR and NCVS data show that crime rates have been declining since the early 1990s.

Question 2

As with gender,racial arrests statistics may reflect _____ more than racial differences in actual offending.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that police arrest practices play a significant role in racial disparities in arrests, and in some cases, these disparities cannot be explained by differences in actual offending rates. Factors such as racial bias, profiling, and over-policing of certain neighborhoods contribute to these disparities. The other options (B and C) are not supported by research as significant factors in racial disparities in arrests.

Question 3

According to Sigmund Freud,who would commit crime due to penis envy?

Accepted Answer

According to Freud's theory of psychosexual development, women experience penis envy during their phallic stage, in which they develop their gender identity. This envy can manifest in feelings of inferiority and frustration, leading to aggressive or criminal behavior. Freud believed that women's envy and resentment towards men's perceived superiority and power could be a motivator for criminal behavior.

Question 4

Men account for approximately ___ percent of violent crime arrests.

Accepted Answer

According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, men account for approximately 80% of violent crime arrests.

Question 5

Which of the following is one of the major advantages the NCVS has over the UCR?

Accepted Answer

The NCVS involves a very large random sample of the US population, whereas the UCR only collects data from law enforcement agencies. This means that the NCVS may provide a more accurate representation of crime and victimization in the United States.

Question 6

Which of the following will eventually replace the UCR?

Accepted Answer

NIBRS (National Incident-Based Reporting System) is already in the process of replacing the UCR (Uniform Crime Report) and is expected to be fully implemented by 2021. Unlike the UCR, which only collects limited data on certain crimes, NIBRS collects detailed information on each crime reported to law enforcement, including the victim, offender, and offense characteristics. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of crime trends and patterns.

Question 7

If girls are raised to be less assertive,less dominant,and more gentle and nurturing,crime rates will be lower.This suggests a ____ explanation of lower crime rates.

Accepted Answer

Sociological (this explanation attributes the lower crime rates to societal norms and values regarding gender roles and expectations)

Question 8

Which of the following is thought to explain why Japan has a lower crime rate than the US?

Accepted Answer

The cultural value of harmony in Japan is thought to contribute to a lower crime rate by emphasizing social cohesion and respect for others.

Question 9

Typically,how does a crime become known to the police?

Accepted Answer

The most common way a crime becomes known to the police is when it is reported by the victim, a witness, or someone else who has knowledge of it.

Question 10

Which of the following seeks to measure hidden crimes or the "dark figure of crime"?

Accepted Answer

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) seeks to measure not only reported crimes, but also unreported (hidden) crimes or the "dark figure of crime." This is done by surveying a representative sample of households and asking individuals if they have been the victim of a crime, regardless of whether they reported it to law enforcement.

Question 11

The primary source of US crime statistics is the _____.

Accepted Answer

The Uniform Crime Reports, published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is the primary source of crime statistics in the United States. The National Crime Data Bank and Interpol also provide crime data, but they are not the primary sources. The Victims Crime Review is not a recognized source for crime statistics.

Question 12

Which of the following is not a common critique of self-reports?

Accepted Answer

Option A and B are common critiques of self-reports. Option D is also a valid critique as self-reports often focus on street crimes and overlook white-collar offenses. Option C, however, is not a common critique as self-reports can also include unreported crimes and behaviors, not just reported arrests.

Question 13

Which country has the highest homicide rate among Western democracies?

Accepted Answer

According to the latest available data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United States has the highest homicide rate among Western democracies.

Question 14

When is crime generally higher?

Accepted Answer

Crime is generally higher during summer months due to several reasons such as warmer weather leading to increased outdoor activity, an increase in tourism and seasonal employment leading to larger crowds and greater opportunity for criminal activity, and school being out leading to more youth being out and about.

Question 15

Which of the following is true regarding those interviewed by the NCVS?

Accepted Answer

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) interviews individuals from approximately 80,000 households to gather data on crime victimization.

Question 16

Which of the following is a recognized critique of the UCR?

Accepted Answer

Many experts in the field believe that the UCR underestimates the number of crimes committed each year. This is due to various reasons such as underreporting by victims, unreported crimes, and variations in reporting practices by law enforcement agencies. The other options (A, B, and D) are not recognized critiques of the UCR.

Question 17

Which of the following is considered a "myth" regarding crime rates?

Accepted Answer

Girls are not becoming more violent. In fact, juvenile crime rates have been declining overall in recent years, and there is no evidence to suggest that girls are committing more violent crimes.

Question 18

Crime rates vary according to location,season and climate,and demographic factors such as gender,race and social class.This is referred to as _____.

Accepted Answer

Crime rates vary based on patterns that can be observed in location, season/climate, and demographic factors. This describes patterning, as mentioned in option B. Surveying (option A) involves collecting data through questionnaires or interviews, whereas trending (option C) involves identifying changes in data over time. Graphing (option D) involves visually displaying data. While these methods may be used in studying crime rates, they do not specifically address the variability of crime rates based on patterns in location, season/climate, and demographics.

Question 19

Which of the following is a Part II offense?

Accepted Answer

Driving Under the Influence is considered a Part II offense according to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, which categorizes less severe crimes compared to Part I offenses like murder and aggravated assault.

Question 20

According to the UCR,most criminals are _____.

Accepted Answer

According to the Uniform Crime Report (UCR) which was released by the FBI in 2019, the majority of offenders (including both juveniles and adults) who were arrested for both violent and non-violent crimes were White, followed by African-Americans, and then Hispanics. However, it's important to note that this data only reflects the arrests made and not necessarily the actual demographics of all criminals in the United States.

Quiz 3: The Measurement and Patterning of Criminal Behavior