Question 1

Crime victims in media match the demographics, such as age and gender, of official victim statistics.

Accepted Answer

Crime victims in media do not always match the demographics of official victim statistics. In many cases, media may overrepresent certain types of victims or crimes, leading to discrepancies in the portrayal of victim demographics. Additionally, some victim groups may be underrepresented or marginalized in media coverage.

Question 2

The Great Train Robbery was one of the first narrative films and introduced many of the violent images still common in today's media.

Accepted Answer

The Great Train Robbery, released in 1903, is often cited as one of the earliest narrative films and is known for its depiction of violence, including the shooting of a character and the use of a Western-style chase scene. These images would go on to influence future filmmakers and set a precedent for violence and action in cinema.

Question 3

Jorge is a 15-year-old Hispanic American living in a Hispanic neighborhood known for the numerous gangs that have inhabited the area for at least two generations. Before high school Jorge received straight As in school and he was a star basketball player both in and out of school. In his freshman year, however, he began hanging out with his older brother and his brother's friends who are all involved in one of the local gangs; Jorge now skips school frequently, has lost interest in basketball, and has been arrested for vandalism and petty theft 3 times. His mom worries that he'll eventually wind up dead. Jorge's recent behavior can BEST be explained by which of the following crime theories?

Accepted Answer

Jorge's behavior can be best explained by a sociological theory, specifically the social disorganization theory which suggests that crime and delinquency are caused by rapid social change, breakdown of traditional social controls, and a lack of community investment. Jorge's involvement with the gang and his community's history of gang activity demonstrate a breakdown of traditional social controls and community investment, contributing to his delinquent behavior.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a media trend that reflects the criminological theory that was popular at the time?

Accepted Answer

Labeling and critical criminology theories became prominent in the 1960s and 1970s, not the 1990s.

Question 5

Serial killers in entertainment media are commonly portrayed, despite the fact that serial killers account for only what percentage of U.S. homicides each year?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Serial killers in entertainment media are commonly...

Question 6

In the real world, the relationship between the crime fighter and the criminal is more important than the relationships between the victim and criminal.

Accepted Answer

In the real world, the relationship between the victim and the criminal is crucial for understanding the nature of the crime, its impact, and the appropriate response or justice required, whereas the relationship between the crime fighter (e.g., police, detectives) and the criminal is more about apprehension and prevention.

Question 7

Which of the following is a reason for why media attention to white collar crime has been historically low?

Accepted Answer

All of the given reasons - low public interest, lack of striking visual images, and highly complex and boring crimes - have contributed to historically low media attention to white collar crime.

Question 8

During the 1970s how much of prime time television programming was dedicated to crime-and-justice stories?

Accepted Answer

During the 1970s, crime-and-justice stories made up approximately 40% of prime time television programming, with popular shows like "Starsky and Hutch," "Charlie's Angels," and "Hawaii Five-O" contributing to this trend.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT one of the typical characteristics of contemporary criminal portraits in the media?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT one...

Question 10

Robin Hood would BEST be categorized within which of the following criminal narrative categories?

Accepted Answer

Robin Hood would be categorized as a victim and heroic criminal because he committed crimes (stealing from the rich) but did so to benefit and protect the poor and oppressed.

Question 11

According to entertainment media, who is usually responsible for predatory criminality?

Accepted Answer

Entertainment media usually portrays the individual as responsible for predatory criminality. This is evident in how they often focus on the actions and characteristics of a specific perpetrator, rather than examining broader societal factors that may have led to their behavior. Additionally, media coverage often emphasizes the perpetrator's personal history and psychological makeup, further emphasizing individual responsibility.

Question 12

Overall, the victimization rates of persons in the media correlate more with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The victimization rates of persons in the media tend to correlate more with fear of crime rather than actual victimization rates. This is because the media tends to focus on sensational stories and incidents that are rare but highly sensationalized, which can increase people's fear of becoming victims of crime. Actual victimization rates are often lower than what is portrayed in the media, leading to a discrepancy in perception versus reality.

Question 13

Which of the following BEST represents the ideal crime victim from a news perspective?

Accepted Answer

From a news perspective, a child or pregnant woman is often seen as the most sympathetic and vulnerable victim, which can attract more public interest and emotional response.

Question 14

Which of the following is a less popular narrative of criminality due to its complex, multi-theoretical nature and spreading of the responsibility for crime over both the criminal and society?

Accepted Answer

Business and professional criminals, also known as white-collar criminals, are a less popular narrative of criminality due to their complex, multi-theoretical nature and the spreading of the responsibility for crime over both the criminal and society. These types of criminals often hold high positions in society and commit crimes such as insider trading, embezzlement, and fraud. Their crimes are often seen as less egregious and harmful, which contributes to their less popular narrative.

Question 15

The "backwards law" is the tendency of the media to portray crime and justice opposite that of crime-and-justice reality.

Accepted Answer

The "backwards law" is a real phenomenon, as media tends to focus more on the sensational aspects of crime rather than the reality of crime and justice. This can often lead to a distorted perception of crime and justice among the general public.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a historically symbolic white collar crime or a media representation of white collar crime?

Accepted Answer

The Rodney King incident was not a historically symbolic white collar crime or a media representation of white collar crime. It was an incident of police brutality and race relations. The other options (Martha Stewart case, Teapot Dome scandal, The Jungle) are all examples of historically symbolic white collar crimes or media representations of such crimes.

Question 17

Which of the following crime theories is supported by the following scenario: Miranda, a 32-year-old single mother of 4 young children, works as a prostitute 3 nights a week. She figures that even if she does eventually get caught, the punishment won't be nearly as bad as missing out on the hundreds of dollars she makes each night.

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes Miranda's decision to engage in prostitution as a calculation of costs and benefits. She has weighed the potential punishment against the financial gain and decided that the latter is worth the risk. This aligns with the principles of rational choice theory, which suggests that individuals make decisions based on a rational calculation of costs and benefits.

Question 18

Crime news focuses on which type of crime?

Accepted Answer

Crime news may cover all types of crime, including murder, rape, assault, and other offenses. It depends on the specific incidents and their severity.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a common victim narrative?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT a...

Question 20

Media interest in crime and criminality has appeared only in the past few decades due to increases in technology and communication.

Accepted Answer

Media interest in crime and criminality dates back several centuries, with newspapers reporting on crimes as early as the 16th century. However, the nature of media coverage and the impact of technology and communication have certainly evolved over time.

Quiz 3: Images of Crime and Criminality