Question 1

A theory is:

Accepted Answer

A theory is an explanation for a phenomenon based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning. It is a well-substantiated explanation for some aspect of the natural world that is acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation. The other choices are not accurate definitions of a theory.

Question 2

A theory that contends that if someone is labeled "delinquent" or "criminal" by authority figures, there is a better chance that the person will consider himself or herself as such and continue the criminal behavior is:

Accepted Answer

The theory that describes this phenomenon is called Labeling Theory. It posits that if someone is labeled as deviant or criminal by authority figures, they may incorporate that label into their self-identity and continue to engage in deviant or criminal behavior.

Question 3

Social conflict theory focuses on ____ as a key component in explaining crime.

Accepted Answer

Social conflict theory posits that power struggles and social inequality are key factors in explaining crime. People who lack power and resources may turn to crime as a means of survival or as a way to resist oppression. The distribution of power in society can also impact how laws are enforced and who is more likely to be labeled as a criminal. Therefore, power is a key component in understanding crime through this theoretical lens.

Question 4

Choice theorists believe the best way to deter crime is to:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Choice theorists believe the best way to...

Question 5

According to ________________crime occurs when three factors are present: a likely offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian.

Accepted Answer

The statement refers to the theory of routine activity, which posits that crime occurs when there is a convergence of a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian. The other options - choice theory, social disorganization, and social process theory - do not directly address these factors.

Question 6

A theory that sees crime as a form of learned behavior is ____.

Accepted Answer

Learning theory proposes that criminal behavior is learned through associations with others or through personal experiences. This theory emphasizes that people are not born with criminal tendencies, but rather they learn them as they interact with their environment.

Question 7

What are criminological theories primarily concerned with?

Accepted Answer

Criminological theories are primarily concerned with determining the reasons behind criminal behavior, and providing explanations for why people commit crimes.

Question 8

What is the school of criminology that is often associated with a critique of our capitalist economic system?

Accepted Answer

Social conflict theory in criminology asserts that our economic and social systems are inherently unequal and that those in power use the justice system to maintain control over marginalized groups. This theory is often associated with a critique of capitalism and other economic systems that contribute to inequality and social injustice.

Question 9

A theory of crime in which offenders weigh the possible benefits of criminal activity against the costs of being apprehended is:

Accepted Answer

Choice theory posits that individuals make a rational choice to commit crimes based on the perceived benefits and costs of the action. This theory suggests that individuals will be deterred from committing crimes if the perceived costs (such as getting caught, arrested, and punished) outweigh the perceived benefits (such as financial gain or other rewards).

Question 10

According to Jack Katz, the emotional or sensual rush a criminal experiences upon the successful completion of a crime is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Jack Katz, the emotional or...

Question 11

Which theory suggests that certain biological or psychological traits in individuals could incline them toward criminal behavior given a certain set of circumstances?

Accepted Answer

Trait theory suggests that certain biological or psychological traits in individuals could incline them toward criminal behavior given a certain set of circumstances. This theory assumes that some people are born with a predisposition to commit crimes due to factors such as genetics, personality, and brain abnormalities.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT one of the three neurotransmitters that seem particularly related to aggressive behavior?

Accepted Answer

While testosterone is often associated with aggression, it is not a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that transmit signals between neurons. Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are all neurotransmitters that have been linked to aggressive behavior.

Question 13

Learning theory was popularized by:

Accepted Answer

Learning theory was popularized by Edwin Sutherland, who developed the differential association theory in the early 20th century. Lombroso, Shaw, and McKay were all criminologists who contributed to the field of criminology, but they did not particularly focus on learning theory.

Question 14

Shaw and McKay studied high-crime neighborhoods and discovered that these "zones" were characterized by ____, or a breakdown in schools, families, and community groups.

Accepted Answer

Shaw and McKay discovered that high-crime neighborhoods were characterized by disorganization, which refers to a breakdown in the social institutions within a community, such as schools, families, and community groups. This disorganization leads to a lack of social control and increases the likelihood of deviant behavior and crime.

Question 15

Epidemiologist Paul Goldstein has devised three models to explain the relationship between drugs and crime. Which of the below is NOT one of them?

Accepted Answer

The Chronic offender model is not one of Paul Goldstein's models. His models are the Psychopharmacological model, the Economically compulsive model, and the Systemic model.

Question 16

Because adult criminals are seen as too "hardened" to unlearn their criminal behavior, crime prevention policies associated with ____ theory focus on juvenile offenders.

Accepted Answer

Social process theory emphasizes the importance of socialization and societal factors in shaping behavior, including criminal behavior. Juvenile offenders are seen as more malleable and responsive to intervention, making them a prime target for crime prevention policies associated with this theory. Adult criminals, on the other hand, are often seen as too set in their ways to be effectively rehabilitated.

Question 17

Which theory believes that deviant behavior is more likely in communities where social institutions such as the family, schools, and the criminal justice system fail to exert control over the population?

Accepted Answer

Social disorganization theory argues that deviant behavior is more likely in communities where social institutions such as the family, schools, and the criminal justice system fail to exert control over the population. This is because these institutions are necessary for maintaining social order and when they are weak or non-existent, individuals are more likely to engage in deviant behavior.

Question 18

The theory that certain people are more likely to be victims of crime, and therefore part victimization is a strong predictor of future victimization is ___________________.

Accepted Answer

Repeat victimization is the theory that individuals who have been victims of crime in the past are more likely to be victimized again in the future. This can be due to a variety of factors such as personal behaviors, lifestyle factors, and environmental factors. Repeat victimization is a strong predictor of future victimization, and understanding the factors that contribute to it can help prevent future victimization.

Question 19

According to ____, criminal offending is the result of interactions with parents, friends and peer groups.

Accepted Answer

Social process theory suggests that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others, including parents, friends, and peer groups. This theory emphasizes the role of socialization in shaping an individual's attitudes and behaviors towards crime. Choice theory focuses on individual decision-making processes, social disorganization theory emphasizes the impact of neighborhood and community factors, and trait theory emphasizes biological and psychological factors in explaining criminal behavior.

Question 20

A proposition that can be tested by researchers to determine if it is valid is a(n):

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested through research to determine its validity. It is a proposed explanation or prediction about a phenomenon that can be either supported or rejected through empirical evidence. Other options are not testable through research: Scientific method is a process for conducting research, theory is a well-established set of principles based on multiple pieces of evidence, and correlation is a statistical association between variables.

Quiz 2: Measuring and Explaining Crime