Question 1

Criminology is an academic discipline that uses scientific methods to study the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior.

Accepted Answer

Criminology is indeed an academic discipline that uses scientific methods to study criminal behavior.

Question 2

The juvenile delinquency research of Eleanor and Sheldon Glueck (in the 1940s and 50s) profoundly influenced criminology and formed the basis for today's trait theory.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The juvenile delinquency research of Eleanor and...

Question 3

According to the conflict view of crime, criminal laws are viewed as acts created to protect the haves from the have-nots.

Accepted Answer

The conflict view of crime suggests that criminal laws are created by those in power (the "haves") to protect their own interests and maintain their power and control over those with less power (the "have-nots"). This view holds that criminal laws may unfairly target and punish marginalized groups, and that the criminal justice system may be used to maintain existing power structures and further oppress these groups.

Question 4

A crime becomes a deviant act when it is deemed by lawmakers as socially harmful or dangerous.

Accepted Answer

A crime is already considered a deviant act because it goes against societal norms and laws; it becomes a crime specifically when it is defined and prohibited by law due to its harmfulness or danger to society.

Question 5

Mala prohibitum crimes, such as traffic offenses and gambling violations, change according to social conditions and attitudes. Criminal law is used to codify these changes, reflecting which purpose of law?

Accepted Answer

The purpose of criminal law in this scenario is to express public opinion and morality by codifying the changes in societal attitudes towards certain Mala prohibitum crimes. The law is reflecting the changing values and norms of the society towards certain behaviors that were previously prohibited by law.

Question 6

Which of the following situations raises an ethical issue for criminologists?

Accepted Answer

Studying only poor, minority subjects while ignoring white-collar criminals is unethical because it perpetuates systemic biases and reinforces harmful stereotypes. Criminologists have a responsibility to conduct research that is fair and impartial, and that includes studying all forms of crime and criminal behavior.

The other choices do not necessarily raise ethical issues. Using a mail survey instead of face-to-face interviews is a methodological decision that may or may not be appropriate depending on the study's purpose and design. Publishing findings in a public journal is a standard practice in academia. Studying a juvenile rehabilitation program that does not include counseling may be a valid point of inquiry for criminologists, though it may raise questions about the effectiveness of the program.

Question 7

The criminological enterprise sub-area of victimology is concerned with specific criminal behavior systems such as white-collar crime and violent crime.

Accepted Answer

Victimology focuses on the study of victims and the psychological effects of crime on them, rather than specific criminal behavior systems.

Question 8

Under common law, if a royal judge successfully applied a ruling in a number of different cases and published that ruling in order that other judges could apply the ruling in their subsequent decisions, the ruling would become:

Accepted Answer

Under common law, a precedent is a ruling that becomes a guide for judges in similar cases. It arises from the principle of stare decisis, which means to stand by things decided. Once a ruling becomes a precedent, it is binding on lower courts and becomes part of the legal system.

Question 9

The consensus view of crime suggests that the definition of crime reflects the preferences and opinions of people who hold social power in a particular legal jurisdiction.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The consensus view of crime suggests that...

Question 10

The American legal system is a direct descendent of:

Accepted Answer

The American legal system is based on the British common law system, which originated from the practices and customs of English courts in the Middle Ages. The United States inherited this legal system from England during colonial times and has since developed its own unique body of law through judicial decisions and legislative action. While Roman law has influenced some aspects of American law, it is not a direct ancestor of the American legal system. Additionally, while there were Roman courts that heard appeals, they were not equivalent to the modern concept of appellate courts. Therefore, choices A and D are not accurate.

Question 11

Criminologist Ida Dupont argues that it is not enough that criminological research do no harm to subjects. What else does Dupont suggest criminological research should do?

Accepted Answer

Criminologist Ida Dupont suggests that criminological research should be empowering and directly useful to research subjects, not only doing no harm to them. This means that the research should have a practical and beneficial impact on the lives of those being studied, rather than simply serving the interests of the researcher. The other options (A, B, C) are not appropriate, as they prioritize the interests of the researcher over those of the research subjects.

Question 12

Why must criminologists be ethical in their research?

Accepted Answer

Criminologists must be ethical in their research because the lives and wellbeing of millions of people may be impacted by their findings. Their research can influence public policy, law enforcement practices, and social attitudes towards crime and justice. As such, it is crucial that criminologists conduct their research in an ethical and responsible manner to ensure that their findings are accurate, reliable, and do not harm those they are studying.

Question 13

Which of the following offenses would be classified as a misdemeanor?

Accepted Answer

Misdemeanor offenses are less serious than felony offenses. Unarmed assault is a common misdemeanor offense. Rape, murder, and burglary are all felony offenses.

Question 14

The most famous set of written laws of the ancient world was a code based on punishment via physical retaliation, "an eye for an eye," but the severity of punishment was dependent on one's class standing. This code was known as:

Accepted Answer

The most famous set of written laws of the ancient world based on physical retaliation was the Code of Hammurabi, which originated in Mesopotamia around 1754 BCE. This code prescribed strict punishments for specific crimes, but the severity of punishment was dependent on one's social class.

Question 15

Use of the scientific method to conduct research in an objective, universal, and culture free fashion is an element of classical criminology.

Accepted Answer

Classical criminology focuses on free will and rational choice, not the scientific method. The scientific method is more aligned with positivist criminology.

Question 16

Critical criminologists contend that society's economic system plays a significant role in producing criminal behavior.

Accepted Answer

Critical criminologists argue that social inequality and economic deprivation can lead individuals to engage in criminal behavior as a means of survival or as a form of rebellion against the dominant economic system. They view crime as a byproduct of capitalism and advocate for structural changes in the economic system to reduce crime rates.

Question 17

Chicago School sociologists argued that social forces operating in urban areas created a crime-promoting environment; some areas were "natural areas" for crime.

Accepted Answer

Chicago School sociologists, such as Shaw and McKay, argued that social and environmental factors in urban areas, such as poverty and social disorganization, created a climate for crime to flourish in certain neighborhoods, known as "natural areas" for crime.

Question 18

The mid-eighteenth century belief stressing that the relationship between crime and punishment should be balanced and fair can be traced to Cesare Beccaria.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Cesare Beccaria was a prominent Italian philosopher during the mid-eighteenth century and his famous treatise, On Crimes and Punishments, argued that punishment should be proportional to the severity of the crime committed. This notion of a balanced and fair relationship between crime and punishment became influential in shaping modern criminal justice systems.

Question 19

Which of the following is not a legitimate social goal of the criminal law?

Accepted Answer

Encouraging revenge is not a legitimate social goal of the criminal law. The criminal law is meant to promote social control by defining and punishing criminal behavior, express public opinion and morality, and deter criminal behavior. Revenge, on the other hand, is a personal and emotional response to harm or wrongdoing and is not a legitimate basis for the criminal justice system to operate on.

Question 20

Which of the following offenses would be classified as a felony?

Accepted Answer

Burglary is typically classified as a felony offense, while the other offenses listed are generally considered misdemeanor offenses.

Quiz 1: Crime and Criminology