Question 1

Kathy Daly and Meda Chesney-Lind (1988) accused criminologists of ´the generalisability problem´. This refers to whether theories generated to explain male offending can be used to explain female offending.

Accepted Answer

Daly and Chesney-Lind did indeed accuse criminologists of the generalisability problem, which pertains to the applicability of theories generated to explain male offending to female offending.

Question 2

Why was the Stephen Lawrence inquiry so instrumental in challenging police practices?

Accepted Answer

The Stephen Lawrence inquiry was instrumental in challenging police practices in the United Kingdom due to its profound impact on the understanding of institutional racism and the subsequent changes it prompted within the police service and wider society.

Stephen Lawrence was a black British teenager who was murdered in a racially motivated attack while waiting for a bus in South East London on April 22, 1993. The initial investigation into his death was marred by a series of failures, and the Lawrence family believed that the Metropolitan Police Service's handling of the case was affected by racial bias.

The public outcry over the handling of the case led to the establishment of a public inquiry, chaired by Sir William Macpherson, which became known as the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. The inquiry's report, published in 1999, was a watershed moment for British policing and race relations. The report concluded that the Metropolitan Police Service was institutionally racist and that this had contributed to the failures of the investigation.

Key reasons why the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry was so instrumental include:

1. Institutional Racism: The inquiry was one of the first to recognize and define the concept of institutional racism within a major UK institution. It highlighted how prejudices, attitudes, and racist stereotypes could permeate an organization, leading to discrimination and unequal treatment.

2. Recommendations for Reform: The Macpherson Report made 70 recommendations for reforming the police and improving community relations. These included changes to police practices, such as the recruitment, training, and promotion of officers, as well as the need for greater accountability and transparency.

3. Impact on Legislation: The inquiry led to the amendment of the Race Relations Act 1976, resulting in the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, which imposed a general duty on public authorities to promote racial equality.

4. Changes in Police Practice: The inquiry prompted a re-evaluation of police practices, including how hate crimes were investigated and the importance of engaging with minority communities. It led to the establishment of new standards for police conduct and the implementation of diversity training.

5. Public Awareness: The inquiry raised public awareness about racism and the challenges faced by minority communities in the UK. It sparked a national conversation about race relations and the need for societal change.

6. Legacy: The legacy of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry continues to influence discussions about race and policing. It serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance against racism and the importance of continually striving for a fair and just society.

In summary, the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry was instrumental in challenging police practices by exposing the extent of institutional racism within the police force, leading to significant reforms, and fostering a national dialogue on race and justice. It has had a lasting impact on policing and the way race-related issues are addressed in the UK.

Question 3

What counts as criminology?

Accepted Answer

Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system. It encompasses a wide range of topics and disciplines, including the causes and consequences of criminal behavior, the social and governmental responses to crime, and the effectiveness of various crime control strategies.

Criminology draws on knowledge and research methods from various fields such as sociology, psychology, law, anthropology, and forensic science to understand crime and develop approaches to prevent it. The field examines the social and individual factors that contribute to criminal behavior, including:

1. Biological and psychological influences: Exploring how genetics, neurology, and psychological traits may predispose individuals to criminal behavior.

2. Sociological factors: Investigating how social structures, cultural norms, and group dynamics can influence the likelihood of crime occurring.

3. Economic factors: Analyzing the impact of economic conditions, such as poverty and inequality, on crime rates.

4. Environmental factors: Considering the role of the physical and social environment, including neighborhoods, communities, and family dynamics, in shaping criminal behavior.

5. Legal aspects: Studying the creation, implementation, and impact of laws, as well as the functioning of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

6. Crime prevention and intervention strategies: Developing and assessing programs and policies aimed at reducing crime and rehabilitating offenders.

Criminologists conduct empirical research, develop theories, and engage in policy analysis to understand and address crime. Their work can inform the development of laws, guide criminal justice practices, and contribute to public debates on crime and punishment. Criminology is a dynamic field that evolves with changes in society and advances in technology, continually seeking to improve the understanding of crime and the effectiveness of responses to it.

Question 4

What did feminist criminologists accuse male-dominated criminology of neglecting prior to their engagement?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What did feminist criminologists accuse male-dominated criminology...

Question 5

Which of the following is FALSE about drug convictions and social divisions?

Accepted Answer

Drug possession convictions make up the majority of drug conviction charges in the United States today, not drug distribution convictions. Therefore, statement D is false.

Question 6

Which of the following is defined as "how we come to know or philosophy of knowledge":

Accepted Answer

Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that deals with the study of knowledge: what it is, how it is acquired, and how we come to know what we know. It explores the nature, sources, and limitations of knowledge, and the ways in which knowledge can be justified or validated. The other options (Positivism, Sociological, Cultural, Feminist) are not directly related to the study of knowledge and epistemology.

Question 7

Who said ´The first wisdom of sociology is this; things are not what they seem.´

Accepted Answer

Peter Berger is credited with saying, "The first wisdom of sociology is this; things are not what they seem." This quote emphasizes the importance of sociologists questioning and analyzing societal norms and structures, rather than simply accepting them at face value.

Question 8

Which of the following is not a viable criminological approach

Accepted Answer

Epistemology is not a criminological approach but rather a branch of philosophy concerned with the study of knowledge and belief. Positivism, sociological, cultural, and feminist approaches are all viable approaches to criminology that provide unique perspectives on the causes and solutions to crime.

Question 9

White (non-Hispanic) and Black populations in the U.S. make up 39% and 40% of the incarcerated population (respectively), thus making each proportionately represented in the overall incarceration population.

Accepted Answer

While White (non-Hispanic) and Black populations in the U.S. do make up a significant portion of the incarcerated population, their representation in the overall population is not equal. White (non-Hispanic) individuals make up approximately 60% of the U.S. population, while Black individuals make up around 12%. Therefore, the disproportionate representation of Black individuals in the incarcerated population is a significant issue.

Question 10

3 in 5 former prisoners in 30 states are arrested within 5 years of release (BJS 2015)

Accepted Answer

The answer of 3 in 5 former prisoners in 30...

Question 11

The criminal justice population is overwhelmingly poor and disproportionately white/Caucasian.

Accepted Answer

The criminal justice population is overwhelmingly poor, but it is disproportionately non-white. Black and Hispanic populations are overrepresented in the criminal justice system.

Question 12

conflict analyses of crime, for instance, have drawn attention to how the crimes that poor people commit are subject to disproportionate attention by criminal justice systems.

Accepted Answer

Conflict analyses of crime have indeed highlighted the unequal treatment of crimes committed by poor people compared to crimes committed by more privileged individuals. This is often referred to as "class bias" in the criminal justice system.

Question 13

Some minority ethnic communities are somehow more criminally inclined than others?

Accepted Answer

There is no evidence to support the idea that any particular ethnic group is inherently more prone to criminal activity than others. The notion that certain groups are more inclined towards crime is a harmful and unsubstantiated stereotype. Crime is a result of various factors, such as poverty, lack of education, and social inequality, that affect all communities, regardless of ethnicity.

Question 14

Why do some claim that crime is a truly sociological concept and that it does not exist as some autonomous entity but is a social construct?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why do some claim that crime is...

Quiz 1: Introduction