Question 1

The ______ was a group of urban sociologists who examined how neighborhood conditions, such as poverty levels, influenced crime rates. Their sociological vision transformed into social structure theory.

Accepted Answer

The Chicago School was a group of urban sociologists from the University of Chicago in the early 20th century who studied how various factors, including poverty, affected crime rates in neighborhoods, leading to the development of social structure theories.

Question 2

Which of the following situations reflects an act of deviance as opposed to a crime?

Accepted Answer

Deviance refers to behavior that violates social norms but is not necessarily illegal, while a crime is an act that violates the law. Observing a person drowning and not offering aid is socially deviant but not illegal.

Question 3

Male in se crimes such as murder and rape reflect which view of crime?

Accepted Answer

The consensus view of crime holds that society as a whole agrees on what behaviors should be considered criminal and that laws reflect those agreements. Crimes such as murder and rape are viewed as universally wrong and are considered criminal in all societies, reflecting the consensus view of crime.

Question 4

Caesar Beccaria, in the 1700s, was one of the first scholars to develop a systematic understanding of why people commit crime. Beccaria believed in the concept of _______, the idea that people want to achieve pleasure and avoid pain.

Accepted Answer

Beccaria believed in the concept of utilitarianism, which suggests that people make decisions based on their desire to achieve pleasure and avoid pain.

Question 5

Which view of crime sees society as a collection of diverse groups who are in a constant and continuing struggle to gain political power in order to advance their economic or social situation?

Accepted Answer

The conflict view of crime sees society as a collection of diverse groups who are in a constant and continuing struggle to gain political power in order to advance their economic or social situation. This view suggests that there is a persistent division between the powerful and the powerless, and crime arises from the conflict between these groups.

Question 6

"Let the punishment fit the crime" refers to which criminological school of thought?

Accepted Answer

"Let the punishment fit the crime" is a key principle of classical criminology, which emphasizes the importance of proportionality between the severity of the crime committed and the punishment imposed. This school of thought seeks to deter crime through the use of rational, predictable, and just punishments.

Question 7

While criminologists may adhere to the consensus, conflict, or interactionist view of crime, it is the ______ that defines crimes and their punishments.

Accepted Answer

The written code, such as criminal codes or statutes, defines crimes and their punishments in modern societies. The Mosaic Code and the Code of Hammurabi were ancient legal codes, and while they defined crimes and punishments in their respective societies, they are not applicable in modern times. The moral code may influence individual behavior and societal norms, but it is not a formal legal code.

Question 8

The academic discipline of criminology uses scientific methods to study the__________ of criminal behavior.

Accepted Answer

Criminology is the scientific study of nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior. This includes understanding the patterns and prevalence of crime, identifying the root causes of criminal behavior, and exploring strategies for preventing and reducing crime.

Question 9

In the 1930s, Harry Anslinger, then head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, launched a successful effort to criminalize marijuana which had been legal until that time. Which concept of crime does Anslinger's moral crusade reflect?

Accepted Answer

Anslinger's campaign reflects the interactionist view of crime, which suggests that crime is defined by social interactions and the influence of moral entrepreneurs who shape laws based on their own beliefs and values.

Question 10

Individuals interact with various people, organizations, institutions and social norms as they mature and develop. This process is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Socialization refers to the lifelong process through which individuals acquire culture and become functioning members of society. It involves interacting with various people, organizations, institutions and social norms as one matures and develops. Integration refers to the process of coming together and uniting as a group or society, assimilation refers to the process of adopting the culture and customs of a different society or group, and civilization refers to the state of being well-organized and developed.

Question 11

Gathering valid crime data, devising new research methods, and measuring crime patterns and trends fall under the ______ subarea of the criminological enterprise.

Accepted Answer

Gathering valid crime data and measuring crime patterns and trends fall under criminal statistics.

Question 12

According to the biological/psychological perspective, which type of forces account for crime?

Accepted Answer

The biological/psychological perspective focuses on internal forces such as genetics, brain chemistry, and personality traits as factors that contribute to criminal behavior.

Question 13

Criminologists interested in computing criminal statistics focus on creating ____ and ____ measurements of criminal behavior.

Accepted Answer

Valid and reliable measurements are essential for accurate criminal statistics. Valid measurements ensure that the data collected accurately reflects the phenomenon being measured, and reliable measurements ensure consistency and reproducibility of the results. Tactical and strategic measurements focus more on law enforcement strategies than on the actual behavior of criminals, legal and positivist measurements focus on legal theories, and current and applicable measurements do not necessarily ensure accuracy and consistency.

Question 14

Because criminologists are influenced by many disciplines (e.g., sociology, psychology, political science, natural sciences), the field of criminology is considered:

Accepted Answer

Criminology is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates theories and perspectives from various disciplines such as sociology, psychology, political science, natural sciences, and more. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Question 15

Which concept of crime implies that crimes are behaviors that all members of society consider to be repugnant, be they rich and powerful or poor and powerless?

Accepted Answer

The consensus view of crime holds that behaviors that are considered repugnant by all members of society, regardless of their social standing, are classified as crimes. This view reflects an agreement among members of society on what acts are considered criminal and justifies a uniform punishment for all offenders.

Question 16

The writings of Karl Marx have had a great impact on _________, which faults the economic system for producing the conditions that lead to high crime rates.

Accepted Answer

Marx's analysis of capitalism and class struggle greatly influenced critical criminology, which argues that crime is a product of social inequality and the flaws inherent in capitalist economic systems.

Question 17

According to the structural perspective, crime rates are a function of _____ forces such as neighborhood conditions, cultural factors, and norm conflict.

Accepted Answer

The structural perspective highlights the role of ecological and cultural factors, which are external to the individual, in influencing crime rates. This includes neighborhood conditions, cultural norms, and social inequality. Situational factors (A) refer to specific circumstances that may enable or motivate criminal behavior for a particular individual or group. Internal factors (B) refer to individual characteristics, such as personality traits or mental health issues, that may influence criminal behavior. Political factors (C) refer to the role of government and policies in shaping crime rates.

Question 18

The "father of criminology" and the man who referred to offenders as "born criminals" was:

Accepted Answer

The "father of criminology" was Cesare Lombroso, who believed that criminals were born with physical and biological characteristics that made them predisposed to engage in criminal behavior. He coined the term "born criminals" to describe these individuals. Comte, Durkheim, and Glueck are all important figures in the development of criminology, but they did not refer to offenders as "born criminals."

Question 19

A deviant act becomes a crime when it is deemed socially harmful or dangerous:

Accepted Answer

A deviant act becomes a crime when it is defined as such by criminal law, which also prohibits and punishes such acts. The other options do not accurately reflect the legal process of defining and responding to criminal behavior.

Question 20

Marvin Wolfgang's 1958 study, Patterns in Criminal Homicide is an example of which subarea of the criminological enterprise?

Accepted Answer

Marvin Wolfgang's study involves understanding and describing criminal behavior, which falls under the subarea of the criminological enterprise.

Quiz 1: Crime and Criminology