Question 1

According to research based on a small sample of cases, which of the following is among the few common characteristics that have been cited to be generally present in the backgrounds of the boys responsible for school killings?

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that boys responsible for school killings often have difficulty coping with significant loss, among other factors. This characteristic has been observed in various studies analyzing the backgrounds and motivations behind such tragic events.

Question 2

Most ancient explanations of crime took a ______ tone, a view that was popular throughout the Middle Ages and lives on today in many belief systems.

Accepted Answer

Most ancient explanations of crime were framed in a religious context, attributing criminal behavior to moral failings or the influence of evil forces. This perspective was dominant throughout the Middle Ages and continues to influence some modern belief systems.

Question 3

What served as the foundation for the modern theories of crime?

Accepted Answer

Positivist theories of criminology laid the groundwork for modern theories of crime by emphasizing the use of scientific methods to study criminal behavior, focusing on factors such as biology, psychology, and social environment.

Question 4

Early emergence of ____________________ across multiple contexts may predict the development of antisocial personality disorder in adulthood.

Accepted Answer

Early emergence of conduct-disordered behavior and substance use across multiple contexts can predict the development of antisocial personality disorder in adulthood. Conduct-disordered behavior is directly related to the diagnostic criteria for antisocial personality disorder, and early substance use is often associated with the development of such behaviors.

Question 5

Over a period of 22 years, Huesmann, Eron, and Yarmel (1987)measured aggression in a sample of males and females. They found that aggression levels began to crystallize around the age of ____________ and remained stable into adulthood.

Accepted Answer

The study by Huesmann, Eron, and Yarmel (1987) found that aggression levels began to crystallize around the age of 8 and remained stable into adulthood.

Question 6

The more delinquent friends one has, the more likely he or she is to engage in criminal behavior until at least the age of

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that peer influence on criminal behavior is significant during adolescence and early adulthood, typically peaking around the age of 20.

Question 7

Cloward and Ohlin proposed that people in lower socioeconomic subcultures usually want to succeed through ______.

Accepted Answer

Cloward and Ohlin's theory suggests that individuals in lower socioeconomic subcultures aspire to succeed through legal means, but are often denied the legitimate opportunities to achieve their goals, leading some to pursue illegal avenues as alternatives.

Question 8

Which of the following partly describes the potentially psychopathic fictional character Dexter Morgan?

Accepted Answer

Dexter Morgan, as depicted in the series "Dexter," exhibits a constant need for stimulation, which aligns with some traits associated with psychopathy, such as seeking thrilling experiences or engaging in risky behavior. However, he does not fit the descriptions of the other options provided.

Question 9

Which of the following bridge the gap between the environmentalism of sociology and the individualism of psychological or biological theories?

Accepted Answer

Social-Psychological theories of crime bridge the gap by incorporating elements of both sociology (focusing on societal and environmental factors) and psychology (focusing on individual traits and behaviors).

Question 10

Which of the following reflects the truth about crime rates in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Rates of serious crime in the United States have been on a general decline over the past few decades, a trend that is supported by both official police statistics and victimization surveys. These two sources of data, despite their different methodologies, consistently show a decrease in serious crimes.

Question 11

Which of the following can be considered an antecedent condition in an integration theory of crime?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following can be considered...

Question 12

Identify the statement that has been underscored by research on secondary school and campus shootings.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that while many individuals may make threats, a smaller proportion actually commit acts of serious violence. This underscores the complexity of predicting violent behavior based on threats alone.

Question 13

What influenced the three Milwaukee teenage perpetrators who viciously attacked and killed Rex Baum, the 49-year-old homeless man?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What influenced the three Milwaukee teenage perpetrators...

Question 14

Émile Durkheim thought that life without moral or social obligations becomes intolerable and results in _____________.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim introduced the concept of anomie to describe a condition of societal normlessness, where a lack of social or moral norms leads to feelings of disconnection and purposelessness. This occurs when individuals feel disconnected from the collective conscience or when there is a significant disparity between societal goals and the means available to achieve them.

Question 15

In the 17th century, Sir Francis Bacon argued that "opportunity makes a thief." Philosophers and social critics such as Voltaire and Rousseau emphasized concepts such as free will, hedonism, and flaws in the social contract to explain criminal conduct. What did these principles later grow into?

Accepted Answer

The principles discussed by Sir Francis Bacon, Voltaire, and Rousseau, which include free will and flaws in the social contract, are foundational to the Classical School of Criminology. This school of thought emphasizes rationality and free will, suggesting that individuals choose to commit crimes after weighing the benefits and consequences.

Question 16

Which of the following theories explains all kinds of criminal behavior?

Accepted Answer

No single theory can explain all kinds of criminal behavior due to the complex nature of human actions and the variety of factors that can influence criminality, including biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors.

Question 17

What is the most extreme version of a social-psychological theory of crime called?

Accepted Answer

Social labeling theory is considered an extreme version of social-psychological theories of crime as it suggests that labeling individuals as criminals can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, reinforcing criminal behavior.

Question 18

At least one study has shown that aggressive boys grow into men who are more likely to

Accepted Answer

The answer of At least one study has shown that...

Question 19

Which theory assumes that people will behave antisocially unless they learn not to offend through a combination of inner regulations and external constraints on behavior?

Accepted Answer

Control theory posits that individuals will naturally tend to deviate towards antisocial or delinquent behavior unless they are restrained by social bonds, internal controls (such as conscience, sense of guilt), and external controls (such as laws and social norms).

Question 20

Which of the following describes tools measuring cognitive patterns that are supportive of offending?

Accepted Answer

The Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS) is a tool that has been shown to correlate with previous offending, indicating its utility in measuring cognitive patterns supportive of offending.

Quiz 3: Psychology of Crime