Question 1

In order to reduce crime, situational crime prevention theory recommends the use of four basic strategies. Choose two of the strategies and describe them with an example.

Accepted Answer

The four strategies are:
Increase the effort needed to commit the crime
Increase the risk of committing the crime
Reduce the rewards of the crime
Remove excuses

Question 2

White-collar crimes have three distinctive characteristics - legitimate access, superficial appearance of legitimacy, and spatial separation. How do these characteristics make it more difficult to control white-collar crimes compared to ordinary street crimes?

Accepted Answer

These characteristics make it difficult to white-collar crime in a couple of ways. For one thing, the appearance of legitimacy makes the crimes hard to discover, and even if they are discovered the offender's ambiguous state of mind makes it difficult to prove in court beyond a reasonable doubt that the person intended to commit a crime. Surveillance is hard. The presence of legitimate access means that we can't use a lot of standard crime prevention strategies such as blocking access. Spatial separation between victims and offenders means that offenders can easily avoid feeling bad about the harm that they impose on others because they never see it directly.

Question 3

Discuss why white-collar offenders are particularly susceptible to the "threat of exposure" as a potential cost of their crime(s).

Accepted Answer

White-collar offenders see themselves as upstanding and morally right - it would be incongruent with their identity to be charged and convicted of wrongdoing. Additionally, they have more to lose (social standing, employment, money) if exposed.

Question 4

The book argues that one of the best ways that regulation can help control white-collar crime is by:

Accepted Answer

Increasing transparency through regulation makes it harder for individuals to deceive others and hide their activities. This can act as a deterrent for white-collar offenders and help to control white-collar crime. Punishing wrongdoers through incarceration or setting high monetary fines may not be effective, as many white-collar offenders have the financial resources to pay fines and may not view imprisonment as a significant enough deterrent. Establishing a moral code may also not be effective, as some businesses and individuals may have differing moral values.

Question 5

The textbook argues that as a means of preventing white-collar crime, licensing and certification requirements illustrate what type of standard situational crime prevention principle?

Accepted Answer

Licensing and certification requirements increase the effort required to commit the offense by adding a barrier of entry that requires certain education, experience, and testing to obtain the necessary qualifications to engage in specific professional practices.

Question 6

As discussed in the textbook, situational crime prevention theory holds that the best way to prevent or reduce white-collar crime is to alter its opportunity structure in certain ways. Which of the following would not be a correct way of altering a white-collar crime opportunity structure according to situational crime prevention theory?

Accepted Answer

Hiring more police officers to patrol the streets would not be a correct way of altering a white-collar crime opportunity structure according to situational crime prevention theory. This is because white-collar crimes are typically committed in the context of businesses and corporations, rather than on the streets, so increasing police patrols would not necessarily deter white-collar crime. The other options, increasing effort required, increasing risk of detection, and reducing rewards, are all strategies that have been suggested by situational crime prevention theory as effective ways of reducing white-collar crime.

Question 7

Regulations can reduce opportunities for white-collar crime by setting the parameters and restrictions of who can have "legitimate" access to victims and their information.

Accepted Answer

Regulations can limit the number of individuals who have access to the information and resources needed to commit white-collar crime, thereby reducing opportunities for such crimes to occur.

Question 8

According to the book, increasing consumer education about potential frauds and other forms of white-collar crime is a form of ______ according to routine activities theory.

Accepted Answer

Target hardening involves increasing the difficulty or risk of committing a crime for potential offenders. Increasing consumer education about potential frauds and other forms of white-collar crime can make it harder for offenders to carry out their crimes as consumers become more aware and cautious.

Question 9

Extralegal social controls include:

Accepted Answer

Extralegal social controls refer to informal means of enforcing social norms and values outside of the legal system. Socialization and shaming are examples of these controls, as they rely on social pressure and cultural beliefs rather than the law to regulate behavior. Regulations, on the other hand, are a form of legal control and are not considered extralegal. Therefore, the correct answer is D) A and B only, as socialization and shaming involve social pressure and influence rather than official laws and regulations.

Question 10

According to Situational Crime Prevention Theory, offenders view crimes as more attractive to commit if:

Accepted Answer

Situational Crime Prevention Theory states that offenders are more likely to commit a crime if they perceive the rewards to be appealing. This means that they will be more motivated to engage in criminal behavior if they believe that they will receive significant benefits from doing so. Complexity of the crime and environmental factors may have some impact, but the appeal of the reward is the most important factor.

Question 11

Situational Crime Prevention Theory suggests that offenses which can easily be justified are ______ likely to occur.

Accepted Answer

Situational Crime Prevention Theory posits that crimes are more likely to occur if they can be easily justified by the offender. This is because the theory focuses on the specific circumstances that make a crime more or less attractive to potential offenders. If an offense can be easily rationalized or justified, it lowers the perceived risks and increases the perceived rewards, making the crime more appealing.

Question 12

According to Situational Crime Prevention Theory, offenders view crimes as more attractive to commit if:

Accepted Answer

According to Situational Crime Prevention Theory, offenders view crimes as more attractive if they are easy to commit. This means that if the crime requires less effort or risk, then the offender is more likely to commit it. Making a crime more difficult to commit is one strategy of situational crime prevention, as it decreases the likelihood of the crime being committed.

Question 13

According to the book, practices that are likely to reduce white-collar crime opportunities are those that (check all that apply):

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the book, practices that are...

Question 14

The book notes that there are at least two consequences that offenders consider when weighing the costs and benefits of white-collar crime. These consequences are:

Accepted Answer

A) Legal consequences - Offenders consider the possible legal consequences of their actions, such as the likelihood of being caught and the severity of the punishment.
B) Occupational consequences - Offenders also consider the potential occupational consequences, such as the risk of losing their job and damaging their reputation within their profession. 
C) Time consequences - While time is certainly a factor in white-collar crime, it is not specifically noted in the book as a consequence that offenders consider when weighing the costs and benefits.

Question 15

An example of reducing the potential reward for a white-collar crime, given in the book, was:

Accepted Answer

Using multiple signatures to case or move money over a certain amount can reduce the potential reward for white-collar crime by making it more difficult for one individual to carry out fraudulent activities and increasing accountability in the process.

Question 16

The pressure to pursue the American Dream creates a constant source of motivation for white-collar crimes.

Accepted Answer

The pressure to achieve financial success and the "American Dream" can lead individuals to commit white-collar crimes in order to maintain or increase their wealth and status.

Quiz 10: Opportunities and Situational Prevention of White-Collar Crime: Using Legal and Extra-Legal Controls

In order to reduce crime, situational crime prevention theory recommends the use of four basic strategies. Choose two of the strategies and describe them with an example.

White-collar crimes have three distinctive characteristics - legitimate access, superficial appearance of legitimacy, and spatial separation. How do these characteristics make it more difficult to control white-collar crimes compared to ordinary street crimes?

Discuss why white-collar offenders are particularly susceptible to the "threat of exposure" as a potential cost of their crime(s).

The book argues that one of the best ways that regulation can help control white-collar crime is by:

The textbook argues that as a means of preventing white-collar crime, licensing and certification requirements illustrate what type of standard situational crime prevention principle?

Regulations can reduce opportunities for white-collar crime by setting the parameters and restrictions of who can have "legitimate" access to victims and their information.

According to the book, increasing consumer education about potential frauds and other forms of white-collar crime is a form of ______ according to routine activities theory.

Extralegal social controls include:

According to Situational Crime Prevention Theory, offenders view crimes as more attractive to commit if:

Situational Crime Prevention Theory suggests that offenses which can easily be justified are ______ likely to occur.

According to Situational Crime Prevention Theory, offenders view crimes as more attractive to commit if:

According to the book, practices that are likely to reduce white-collar crime opportunities are those that (check all that apply) :

The book notes that there are at least two consequences that offenders consider when weighing the costs and benefits of white-collar crime. These consequences are:

An example of reducing the potential reward for a white-collar crime, given in the book, was:

The pressure to pursue the American Dream creates a constant source of motivation for white-collar crimes.