Question 1

Classical theory in criminology formally began in what year?

Accepted Answer

Classical theory in criminology is considered to have formally begun in 1764 with the publication of Cesare Beccaria's essay "On Crimes and Punishments."

Question 2

The classical model of human nature discusses all the following elements, except:

Accepted Answer

The classical model of human nature typically includes free will, hedonism, and rationality, but not altruism, which is more associated with moral and ethical considerations rather than the classical view of human nature.

Question 3

Which philosopher believed that the function of the criminal law should be social harm prevention rather than moral retribution?

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

First introduced by the philosopher Thomas Hobbes, which of the following supports the sacrificing of some personal freedom to the government in order to receive protection to the benefit of the larger society.

Accepted Answer

The concept of the social contract, as introduced by Thomas Hobbes, posits that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of the ruler (or to the decision of a majority) in exchange for protection of their remaining rights and the maintenance of social order. This foundational concept is central to much of Western political philosophy and underpins the development of modern democratic governance.

Question 5

Nineteenth-century positivism, which supplanted classical criminology, took issue primarily with which assumption of classical theory?

Accepted Answer

Nineteenth-century positivism challenged the classical criminology assumption of free will, arguing instead that criminal behavior was determined by factors beyond the individual's control, such as biology, psychology, and social environment.

Question 6

What was the main reason that classical theory re-emerged in the 1970s?

Accepted Answer

Classical theory re-emerged in the 1970s primarily because scholars and criminal justice administrators began to question and lose faith in the positivist approach, which emphasized determinism and the treatment of offenders over punishment. They started to revisit classical ideas that focus on the rationality of human behavior, the importance of free will, and the effectiveness of punishment as a deterrent.

Question 7

Which areas of research (in the 1970s) were the first to start showing deterrence-like correlations between punishments and crime rates?

Accepted Answer

In the 1970s, research areas such as capital punishment, imprisonment, and sentencing policies began to show deterrence-like correlations between the severity of punishments and the rates of crime, indicating that harsher penalties could potentially deter criminal behavior.

Question 8

Approximately when did the positivist domination of criminology decline and the revival of interest in classical theory occur?

Accepted Answer

The positivist domination of criminology began to decline in the 1970s, which saw a revival of interest in classical theory, emphasizing rational choice and deterrence.

Question 9

Who published the influential article "Nothing Works"?

Accepted Answer

Robert Martinson published the influential article "Nothing Works" in 1974, which critically examined the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs in prisons, concluding that such programs were largely ineffective in reducing recidivism.

Question 10

Theoretically, which of the following should lead to an increase in deterrence?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the costs of crime, such as through higher fines or longer sentences, theoretically increases deterrence by making the consequences of committing a crime more severe, thus discouraging individuals from engaging in criminal behavior.

Question 11

The process of deterrence is inherently psychological because it is based on what?

Accepted Answer

Deterrence operates on the principle that the fear of punitive consequences will discourage individuals or states from engaging in undesirable behavior.

Question 12

Beccaria failed to recognize or expand upon the importance of what, regarding deterrence?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Beccaria failed to recognize or expand upon...

Question 13

One of the main difficulties in subjecting deterrence theory to scientific testing is:

Accepted Answer

Deterrence theory involves complex human behaviors and societal variables, making it challenging to define measurable concepts and construct testable hypotheses. This complexity hinders the direct application of scientific testing methods.

Question 14

Which area of deterrence research has shown that offenders don't often think rationally, and has also provided insights into the phenomenology of evil?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which area of deterrence research has shown...

Question 15

In which area of deterrence research have some studies found evidence of a brutalization or facilitation effect from the application of deterrence policies?

Accepted Answer

Some studies using natural experiments have found evidence of a brutalization or facilitation effect, where the application of deterrence policies may lead to an increase in crime rather than a decrease.

Question 16

Which area of deterrence research holds promise of being able to actually measure perceptions?

Accepted Answer

Public surveys are a direct method to measure perceptions by asking individuals about their views, beliefs, or attitudes towards deterrence, thus providing quantifiable data on perceptions.

Question 17

Which of the following statements is the best overall summary or assessment of deterrence theory?

Accepted Answer

Deterrence theory, which posits that the threat of punishment will prevent people from committing crimes or engaging in aggressive actions, is considered to work well enough, but it is not necessarily superior to all other theories. It has its applications and successes, but like any theory, its effectiveness can vary depending on the context and implementation.

Question 18

Punishing an offender for a DUI by sentencing him/her to 30 days in jail is trying to realize what goal?

Accepted Answer

Specific deterrence aims to discourage the individual offender from committing the same crime again by imposing a penalty such as jail time.

Question 19

What is the philosophical goal of posting speed limit signs?

Accepted Answer

The philosophical goal of posting speed limit signs is general deterrence. This approach aims to discourage the general population from engaging in speeding by setting clear limits and consequences, thereby promoting safer driving behaviors among all drivers.

Question 20

Which of the following perspectives assumes that events can be explained in causal rather than volitional terms?

Accepted Answer

Positivism is the perspective that assumes events can be explained in causal (scientific, empirical) terms rather than through volition (free will) or metaphysics. It emphasizes observable, objective evidence over subjective experiences.

Quiz 2: Classical and Neoclassical Criminology