Question 1

Discuss the Yale study's findings regarding the description of the white-collar criminal and describe the limitations of the study.

Accepted Answer

The researchers only studied 8 federal offenses; The researchers only studied 7 federal districts; The researchers included only cases that were convicted in federal court; The researchers relied on conviction cases only

Question 2

Who is the white-collar criminal in terms of background characteristics (race, gender, age, education) and describe how that is connected to their opportunity for white-collar crimes.

Accepted Answer

The majority of white-collar offenders are male, white, and about 40. More have college degrees than common criminals (about 40%), but the majority do not hold college degrees. Although they range in status and position within their organizations, their background characteristics put them in a position to have access to commit white-collar offenses.

Question 3

Discuss the stereotypical white-collar offender, and describe how well the data do or do not "match" or support this stereotype.

Accepted Answer

Stereotype = no prior criminal behaviors, wealthy. Reality = 40% have prior arrests. Not all are wealthy. Some are repeat offenders - not all first time offenders. There is variation among white-collar offenders but they still "look" different than common criminals in terms of background characteristics and status.

Question 4

What do the "careers" of white-collar offenders look like?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do the "careers" of white-collar offenders...

Question 5

According to the Yale study of people convicted of white-collar crimes in Federal courts, the average white-collar offender in terms of race, sex, and age is:

Accepted Answer

According to the Yale study, the average white-collar offender in terms of race, sex, and age is male, white, and about 40 years old.

Question 6

Both the Yale study and the Forst and Rhodes study found that approximately what percentage of the people convicted of white-collar crimes in Federal courts have prior arrests?

Accepted Answer

The Yale study found that 43% of white-collar criminals had prior arrests, while the Forst and Rhodes study found that 38% had prior arrests.

Question 7

According to the Yale study, in which of the following white-collar offenses do women have the highest rate of participation?

Accepted Answer

The Yale study found that women have the highest rate of participation in bank embezzlement among the listed white-collar offenses.

Question 8

Some research on the personalities of white-collar offenders suggests that they have distinctive psychopathic personality characteristics which may facilitate their crimes. Which of the following is one of those characteristics?

Accepted Answer

White-collar offenders often have psychopathic tendencies, including superficial charm and egocentricity. This allows them to manipulate others and justify their unethical behavior. Low intelligence and aggressiveness are not typically associated with white-collar offenders. Impulsiveness may play a role in some white-collar crimes, but it is not a definitive characteristic. High levels of empathy are not typically associated with psychopathy.

Question 9

According to E. A. Ross, the main problem with criminaloids is that they:

Accepted Answer

According to E. A. Ross, the main problem with criminaloids is that they are morally insensitive. This means that they lack a proper sense of right and wrong, which often leads them to engage in criminal behavior. While psychological abnormalities, low intelligence, and abusive family backgrounds can contribute to criminal behavior, Ross specifically identifies moral insensitivity as the main issue with criminaloids.

Question 10

According to Sutherland, "white collar" meant:

Accepted Answer

Sutherland used "white collar" to refer to business managers and executives, who were traditionally distinguished by the white-collar dress shirts they wore as opposed to the blue-collar work shirts of manual laborers.

Question 11

Which of the following was a shortcoming or limitation of the methodology used in the Yale study?

Accepted Answer

All of the above were limitations of the methodology used in the Yale study. The researchers only studied a limited number of federal offenses and districts, and only included cases that resulted in convictions in federal court, which may have excluded important data on cases that did not result in convictions or were prosecuted at the state level. Additionally, relying solely on conviction cases may have led to a biased sample and overlooked any potential flaws in the legal system that may have led to wrongful convictions.

Question 12

The Yale researchers mentioned in the book examined PSIs (presentence investigation reports) to conduct their study.

Accepted Answer

The book states that the Yale researchers analyzed PSIs to conduct their study on how judges make decisions in sentencing.

Question 13

White-collar offenders are slightly younger than common criminals.

Accepted Answer

White-collar offenders tend to be older than common criminals, as they usually have established careers and positions that provide the opportunity for such crimes.

Question 14

According to the book, over 25% of white-collar criminals are college graduates, compared to _______ of common criminals.

Accepted Answer

Less than 5% of common criminals are college graduates, highlighting a significant educational disparity between white-collar criminals and common criminals.

Question 15

The similar findings of white-collar criminals' characteristics (e.g., race, gender, age) between the Yale study and Forst and Rhodes' study gives us confidence that the findings reflect reality.

Accepted Answer

The similarity in findings between two independent studies (the Yale study and Forst and Rhodes' study) regarding the characteristics of white-collar criminals increases the reliability and validity of the results, suggesting they accurately reflect reality. This is because replication of results across different studies is a key indicator of their robustness and generalizability.

Question 16

Not all white-collar criminals are alike.

Accepted Answer

White-collar criminals may differ in their motives, methods, and extent of harm caused by their crimes.

Question 17

White-collar criminals are significantly different from common offenders.

Accepted Answer

White-collar criminals are typically affluent individuals who commit nonviolent crimes related to their occupation or financial status, such as embezzlement or insider trading, whereas common offenders commit crimes such as robbery or drug trafficking.

Question 18

Which demographic characteristics among white-collar offenders have not largely changed since the 1970s?

Accepted Answer

Age and gender have not largely changed since the 1970s among white-collar offenders.

Question 19

White-collar crime is no longer exclusively conducted by middle-aged white males.

Accepted Answer

White-collar crime can be committed by individuals of any gender or ethnicity.

Question 20

According to the book, approximately _______ out of 10 white-collar criminals have had a prior arrest.

Accepted Answer

According to studies and literature on white-collar crime, approximately 4 out of 10 white-collar criminals have had a prior arrest. This statistic highlights the recurrence of criminal behavior among individuals engaged in such crimes, challenging the stereotype that white-collar criminals are typically first-time offenders.

Quiz 2: Who Is the White-Collar Offender