Question 1

What term do criminologists use to describe places where various social problems coincide with crime?
A) Anomie
B) Differential association
C) Social disorganization
D) Official labeling

Accepted Answer

Criminologists use the term "social disorganization" to describe places where various social problems coincide with crime. This concept suggests that when a community experiences high levels of poverty, unemployment, and residential instability, it becomes less capable of regulating behavior and maintaining social order, thus leading to higher crime rates.

Question 2

What is the willingness of neighbors to work together to make a difference in their neighborhood?
A) Collective efficacy
B) Social disorganization
C) Intimidation
D) Differential association

Accepted Answer

Collective efficacy refers to the willingness of community members to come together and take action to improve their neighborhood. It is a measure of the trust and social cohesion among community members and their shared belief in their ability to make a positive change. Social disorganization, intimidation, and differential association are all factors that can undermine collective efficacy.

Question 3

Which of the following make may neighborhood cohesion difficult in a heterogeneous neighborhood?
A) Neighbors lack cultural affinity
B) These neighborhoods often have high concentrations of disadvantaged residents
C) Residents may be unable or unwilling to act on the behalf of their neighbors
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the factors listed (lack of cultural affinity, high concentration of disadvantaged residents, and inability/unwillingness to act on behalf of neighbors) can make neighborhood cohesion difficult in a heterogeneous neighborhood. When residents do not share a common culture, language, or values, it can be challenging for them to connect and communicate effectively with each other. This can be exacerbated when the neighborhood is also characterized by high levels of poverty or other types of disadvantage, which can lead to social isolation and mistrust among neighbors. Additionally, if residents do not feel empowered or motivated to help each other out, they may be less likely to participate in neighborhood activities or volunteer their time and resources to support their neighbors. This can further erode the sense of community and make it difficult to build and sustain strong relationships across different backgrounds and experiences.

Question 4

According to strain theory, why do people commit crime?
A) Their social bond to society is weak
B) Peer pressure
C) Crime offers an illegitimate means to achieve legitimate ends
D) They make a rational choice to commit crime

Accepted Answer

According to strain theory, people commit crime because they face social and economic pressure to achieve certain goals, such as financial success or social status, but lack the legitimate means to achieve those goals. Committing a crime may offer an illegitimate means to attain those goals, such as stealing or dealing drugs. The strain between societal expectations and limited opportunities creates a state of anomie, leading individuals to pursue criminal behavior.

Question 5

Which theory claims that minor disorder sets the stage for major crimes to occur?
A) Strain theory
B) Broken windows theory
C) Situational inducement theory
D) Social disorganization theory

Accepted Answer

The Broken Windows theory claims that visible signs of disorder and neglect, such as broken windows, graffiti, and litter, can create an environment that signals that no one cares and that criminal activity will not be punished. This can lead to more serious crime taking place.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT true about sexual assaults?
A) Most cases of sexual assault evade the legal system
B) Men are as likely to be victims of sexual assault as women
C) The victim is often too embarrassed to report a sexual assault
D) Offenders of sexual assault usually go unpunished

Accepted Answer

Men are not as likely to be victims of sexual assault as women. Statistics show that women are much more likely to be the victims of sexual assault than men.

Question 7

How might very high public density pose a problem for women?
A) Women risk being touched or groped
B) Women are at risk for forcible rape
C) Women are at risk for murder
D) High public density does not pose a risk for women

Accepted Answer

High public density increases the risk of women being touched or groped due to the close proximity of individuals, which can lead to unwanted physical contact.

Question 8

What is a problem with extra lighting as a security measure for your home?
A) Extra light does not deter criminals
B) Extra lighting can only prevent violent crimes
C) Most residential burglaries occur during the day
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

The problem with extra lighting as a security measure for your home is that most residential burglaries occur during the day, so the extra lighting at night would not be effective in preventing these types of crimes.

Question 9

How might some bars pose a particular danger for women?
A) Emphasis on heavy drinking
B) High proportion of male patrons
C) High noise levels
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Bars that emphasize heavy drinking and have a high proportion of male patrons can create an environment where women may feel unsafe, especially if they are drinking heavily themselves. High noise levels can also make it difficult for women to communicate effectively and may contribute to a chaotic atmosphere.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT true about juvenile street gangs?
A) Most youths are not gang members
B) Gang members do more than their share of crimes, but not most local crimes
C) Gangs are highly organized
D) Gang members do more than their share of violence, but not all of it

Accepted Answer

Gangs vary widely in their level of organization, with many being loosely structured and lacking the hierarchy and organization implied by the statement. Some gangs may have a degree of organization, but it is not accurate to broadly categorize all gangs as highly organized.

Question 11

What makes a crime overt, distinguishing it from a covert crime?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What makes a crime overt, distinguishing it...

Question 12

Why are open-air drug markets worse for a community than indoor drug markets?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why are open-air drug markets worse for...

Question 13

What is the shadow of rape hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the shadow of rape hypothesis?...

Question 14

What makes one street riskier than another?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What makes one street riskier than another?...

Question 15

How has modern technology created new avenues for crime? Describe two examples.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How has modern technology created new avenues...

Question 16

What is mens rea?
A) Criminal state of mind
B) Criminal actions
C) Eye for an eye
D) Immunity from prosecution

Accepted Answer

Mens rea refers to the criminal state of mind or intention of the person committing a crime. It is a necessary element in most criminal offenses and helps to determine the level of culpability and appropriate punishment.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a part of ordinary police work?
A) Paperwork
B) Deadly shootouts
C) Giving traffic tickets
D) Responding to calls from citizens

Accepted Answer

While police officers may need to use force to protect themselves or others in certain situations, deadly shootouts are not a part of ordinary police work and are typically avoided if possible. The other options listed - paperwork, giving traffic tickets, and responding to calls from citizens - are all common aspects of a police officer's job.

Question 18

How are most criminal court cases resolved?
A) Conviction by jury
B) Acquittal by jury
C) Plea bargaining
D) Mistrials

Accepted Answer

The majority of criminal court cases are resolved through the process of plea bargaining, where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for reduced charges or a more lenient sentence. This is favored by both prosecutors, who can secure a conviction without the time and expense of a trial, and defendants, who can receive a lighter punishment and avoid the uncertainty of a trial. Convictions and acquittals by jury are less common, while mistrials may occur due to procedural errors or hung juries.

Question 19

What type of punishment is least effective for deterrence?
A) Swift, sure punishment
B) Severe punishment
C) Rehabilitation
D) Well-timed incapacitation

Accepted Answer

Severe punishment alone is often not the most effective deterrent, as the certainty and swiftness of punishment are generally more important factors in deterrence than severity.

Question 20

What information does the National Crime Victim Survey (NCVS) provide that is not available in UCR data?
A) Homicide counts
B) Calls for service
C) The prevalence of drug use
D) The likelihood of a crime being reported

Accepted Answer

The National Crime Victim Survey (NCVS) provides information on the likelihood of a crime being reported, which is not available in Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data. The data collected by UCR is based on reported crimes from law enforcement agencies, whereas NCVS collects data on both reported and unreported crimes from victims themselves through a survey. The other choices (A, B, and C) are all information that can be obtained from UCR data.

Quiz 8: Exploring Social Problems, Crime Reduction, and Control Processes

What term do criminologists use to describe places where various social problems coincide with crime?

What is the willingness of neighbors to work together to make a difference in their neighborhood?

Which of the following make may neighborhood cohesion difficult in a heterogeneous neighborhood?

According to strain theory, why do people commit crime?

Which theory claims that minor disorder sets the stage for major crimes to occur?

Which of the following is NOT true about sexual assaults?

How might very high public density pose a problem for women?

What is a problem with extra lighting as a security measure for your home?

How might some bars pose a particular danger for women?

Which of the following is NOT true about juvenile street gangs?

What makes a crime overt, distinguishing it from a covert crime?

Why are open-air drug markets worse for a community than indoor drug markets?

What is the shadow of rape hypothesis?

What makes one street riskier than another?

How has modern technology created new avenues for crime? Describe two examples.

What is mens rea?

Which of the following is NOT a part of ordinary police work?

How are most criminal court cases resolved?

What type of punishment is least effective for deterrence?

What information does the National Crime Victim Survey (NCVS) provide that is not available in UCR data?