Question 1

Define the following terms:
-brutalization effect

Accepted Answer

The brutalization effect is a criminological concept that suggests the use of the death penalty may actually lead to an increase in the rate of homicides, rather than deterring them. The theory posits that state-sanctioned executions may desensitize the public to the seriousness of taking a life, or even implicitly suggest that killing is an acceptable way to resolve problems, particularly when the state models that behavior.

According to this theory, executions may have three potential effects that contribute to the brutalization effect:

1. **Desensitization**: Regular exposure to state executions, especially through media coverage, may make the act of killing seem more normal or acceptable to the public.

2. **Imitation**: Some individuals may be more likely to commit homicide because they see the state using killing as a means of punishment, essentially setting an example that lethal violence is a legitimate response to certain behaviors.

3. **Teaching by example**: The state is perceived as a moral authority, and when it carries out executions, it may send a message that taking a life is a justifiable response to certain actions.

Empirical evidence for the brutalization effect is mixed, with some studies finding support for the theory and others not. It remains a topic of debate among scholars, with some arguing that the death penalty deters crime and others suggesting it has no effect or may even increase the likelihood of homicide. The brutalization effect is one of several arguments used by opponents of the death penalty to advocate for its abolition.

Question 2

Define the following terms:
-Cognitive Thinking Skills Program

Accepted Answer

The term "Cognitive Thinking Skills Program" refers to a structured set of educational or therapeutic activities designed to enhance an individual's cognitive abilities. These programs aim to improve various aspects of cognition, including memory, attention, problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking. The goal is to help individuals develop and strengthen the mental processes that are essential for learning, understanding, and functioning effectively in daily life.

Here are some key components often included in a Cognitive Thinking Skills Program:

1. **Memory Enhancement**: Exercises and activities that help improve short-term and long-term memory retention and recall.

2. **Attention Training**: Techniques to increase an individual's ability to focus and maintain attention on tasks without getting easily distracted.

3. **Problem-Solving Skills**: Strategies to approach and solve problems in a systematic and logical manner, including identifying problems, generating solutions, and evaluating outcomes.

4. **Decision-Making**: Tools to help individuals make informed and reasoned choices by considering possible outcomes and the impact of each option.

5. **Critical Thinking**: Activities that encourage questioning assumptions, analyzing arguments, and distinguishing between facts and opinions to form well-reasoned judgments.

6. **Executive Functioning**: Development of skills related to planning, organizing, strategizing, and managing time and space effectively.

7. **Metacognition**: Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes, which can help individuals regulate their learning and adapt strategies for better outcomes.

Cognitive Thinking Skills Programs can be tailored for different age groups and populations, including children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. They can be applied in various settings such as schools, clinics, workplaces, or even at home. These programs are often used to support individuals with learning disabilities, ADHD, brain injuries, or age-related cognitive decline, but they can also be beneficial for anyone looking to enhance their cognitive performance and mental agility.

Question 3

Define the following terms:
-capital punishment

Accepted Answer

Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is a government-sanctioned practice whereby a person is put to death by the state as a punishment for a crime. The legal process that leads to the imposition of the death penalty is typically reserved for the most serious offenses, such as murder, espionage, treason, or as part of military justice. In some countries, sexual crimes, such as rape, adultery, incest, and sodomy, also carry the death penalty, as do religious crimes such as apostasy in Islamic nations.

The methods of execution have varied over time and include hanging, shooting, lethal injection, electrocution, and beheading. The use of capital punishment has been a subject of considerable debate and controversy. Proponents argue that it serves as a deterrent to crime, provides a measure of justice for the victims and their families, and ensures that the convicted individual cannot commit further crimes. Opponents of capital punishment argue that it is inhumane, subject to judicial errors, and not proven to be an effective deterrent. They also point out the possibility of wrongful convictions and the irreversible nature of the punishment.

The practice of capital punishment varies widely by country, with some nations having abolished it altogether, while others continue to use it, although often under strict regulations and less frequently than in the past. The movement towards the abolition of the death penalty has gained momentum globally, with an increasing number of countries either abolishing it for all crimes or ceasing to carry out executions. International human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, actively campaign for the global abolition of capital punishment.

Question 4

Define the following terms:
-collective incapacitation

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define the following terms:
-collective incapacitation...

Question 5

Define the following terms:
-corporal punishment

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define the following terms:
-corporal punishment...

Question 6

Define the following terms:
-Functional Family Therapy

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define the following terms:
-Functional Family Therapy...

Question 7

Define the following terms:
-general deterrence

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define the following terms:
-general deterrence...

Question 8

Define the following terms:
-Multi-Systemic Therapy

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define the following terms:
-Multi-Systemic Therapy...

Question 9

Define the following terms:
-risk, need and responsivity

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define the following terms:
-risk, need and responsivity...

Question 10

Define the following terms:
-selective incapacitation

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define the following terms:
-selective incapacitation...

Question 11

Define the following terms:
-specific deterrence

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define the following terms:
-specific deterrence...

Question 12

Define the following terms:
-treatment fidelity

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define the following terms:
-treatment fidelity...

Question 13

The incarceration is not expected to affect anyone else's future offending other than the targeted individual is an assumption of what philosophical rationale?

Accepted Answer

Specific deterrence focuses on preventing the individual offender from committing future crimes, without considering the impact on others.

Question 14

Correctional intervention with past offenders serving as an example to other potential law violators and deter those individuals from committing crime is?

Accepted Answer

General deterrence aims to discourage potential offenders from committing crimes by making an example of past offenders, thereby preventing crime in the broader community.

Question 15

Studies find that overall, simple imprisonment deters a large proportion of those who are incarcerated.

Accepted Answer

Research generally indicates that simple imprisonment alone is not a strong deterrent for future criminal behavior, as it often fails to address underlying issues such as substance abuse, mental health, and socio-economic factors.

Question 16

Which of the following could be used as the dependent variable when testing the relationship between the deterrent effect of prison and recidivism?

Accepted Answer

All options (rearrest, return to prison, and new conviction) can be used as dependent variables to measure recidivism in studies examining the deterrent effect of prison.

Question 17

What is the ultimate form of punishment?

Accepted Answer

The death penalty is the ultimate form of punishment because it results in the permanent termination of a person's life.

Question 18

Only crimes that result in death are eligible for capital punishment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Only crimes that result in death are...

Question 19

Research studies find strong evidence that the death penalty has a general deterrent effect.

Accepted Answer

Research studies on the death penalty's deterrent effect have produced mixed results, with no consensus on its effectiveness as a general deterrent.

Question 20

Which of the following best illustrates the brutalization effect?

Accepted Answer

The brutalization effect refers to the phenomenon where executions may lead to an increase in violent crime, such as homicides, as they may desensitize the public to violence or legitimize it as a solution to problems.

Quiz 8: Correctional Effectiveness

Define the following terms: -brutalization effect

Define the following terms: -Cognitive Thinking Skills Program

Define the following terms: -capital punishment

Define the following terms: -collective incapacitation

Define the following terms: -corporal punishment

Define the following terms: -Functional Family Therapy

Define the following terms: -general deterrence

Define the following terms: -Multi-Systemic Therapy

Define the following terms: -risk, need and responsivity

Define the following terms: -selective incapacitation

Define the following terms: -specific deterrence

Define the following terms: -treatment fidelity