Question 1

How are visual methods useful to understanding criminological theories?
A) They help to clarify the role of research in revising, testing, and validating theories.
B) Maps and other diagrams can be useful study aids for students.
C) Visual methods can be used to help teach criminological theories.
D) None of the above.
E) All of the above.

Accepted Answer

Visual methods, including maps and diagrams, are beneficial in criminology for several reasons. They clarify the role of research in theory development, serve as effective study aids, and can be used to teach criminological theories, making complex concepts more accessible and understandable.

Question 2

A concept map is:
A) an informal diagram consisting of boxes and circles connected by lines and arrows.
B) a hierarchical graphical tool for organizing and representing the relationship between different concepts.
C) useful for illustrating complex abstract ideas in a free-flowing tree structure.
D) none of the above.
E) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

A concept map is specifically a hierarchical graphical tool used to organize and represent relationships between different concepts, which aligns with option B.

Question 3

With regard to criminological theories, which of the following statements is false?
A) Criminological theories focus on explaining a variety of phenomena, including crime rates, criminal behavior, and chronic offending.
B) Criminological theories have their own internal histories that are important to understand.
C) Criminological theories are never influenced by external factors such as historical events or political dynamics.
D) None of the above.
E) All of the above.

Accepted Answer

Criminological theories are indeed influenced by external factors such as historical events or political dynamics. These external influences can shape the development and focus of criminological theories, contrary to the assertion in option C.

Question 4

In criminology, the word theory is often used interchangeably with philosophy, perspective, and approach.

Accepted Answer

In criminology, the term "theory" can indeed be used interchangeably with "philosophy," "perspective," or "approach" as they all refer to ways of understanding, explaining, and interpreting criminal behavior and the criminal justice system.

Question 5

Criminological theories always carefully identify scope, problem focus, and level of explanation.

Accepted Answer

While criminological theories strive to identify scope, problem focus, and level of explanation, not all theories do so carefully or explicitly. Some theories may lack clarity in defining their scope or in specifying the problems they aim to address.

Question 6

Mind maps tend to be more formal and structured than concept maps.

Accepted Answer

Concept maps are generally more structured and hierarchical, focusing on the relationships between concepts in a formal manner, while mind maps are more free-form and creative, allowing for a broader exploration of ideas without a strict hierarchy.

Question 7

In your own words, define criminological thinking.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In your own words, define criminological thinking....

Question 8

Identify some challenges for criminological theories. How can they be addressed?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify some challenges for criminological theories. How...

Question 9

How are concept maps and mind maps similar and different?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How are concept maps and mind maps...

Question 10

How can each type of map be used to study criminological theory?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can each type of map be...

Question 11

Make your own map of the seven steps of criminological thinking.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Make your own map of the seven...

Quiz 1: Basic Principles of Theorizing and Mapping

How are visual methods useful to understanding criminological theories?

A concept map is:

With regard to criminological theories, which of the following statements is false?