Question 1

In legal terms, a crime is composed of which two components?

Accepted Answer

A crime is composed of both the act or omission that constitutes the offense and the criminal intent or mens rea of the offender. The actus reus (criminal act) and mens rea (criminal intent) are the two essential components of a crime. Without both, a crime cannot occur.

Question 2

The oldest justification for punishing an offender is

Accepted Answer

Retribution is the oldest justification for punishing an offender and dates back to the ancient concept of "an eye for an eye". It is based on the idea that offenders should be punished because they have done something wrong and deserve to suffer for their actions. This concept is often associated with the idea of justice and fairness, and is believed to help maintain social order and moral standards.

Question 3

In terms of racial categories, most people arrested for a violent crime in the United States are

Accepted Answer

white.

Question 4

Both Albert Cohen and Walter Miller argue that deviance is most likely to arise among

Accepted Answer

Both Albert Cohen and Walter Miller argue that deviance is most likely to arise among low-income youths. They both suggest that individuals who lack access to legitimate opportunities due to structural inequalities may turn to deviant behavior as a means of achieving status and success in their own culture or subculture.

Question 5

Criminal statistics gathered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation reflect

Accepted Answer

The criminal statistics gathered by the FBI reflect only offenses known to the police, as they gather data from law enforcement agencies across the country. It does not necessarily reflect all crimes that take place or offenses that result in a conviction, and may not include offenses cleared by arrest if they are not reported to the police.

Question 6

The U.S.government provides a great deal of data about crime in the United States.Drawing on FBI data, what can we say about the "typical street criminal" in terms of age, gender, social class, race, and ethnicity? In each case, what can you say to explain the pattern? Do these patterns contain bias? Explain several reasons why we must treat criminal statistics with caution.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The U.S.government provides a great deal of...

Question 7

Biological factors, including genetics, explain most criminal behavior.

Accepted Answer

While biology and genetics may play a role in criminal behavior, they do not explain most criminal behavior. Factors such as socialization, environment, and mental health also play significant roles.

Question 8

Many researchers agree that, in the United States, most arrests for street crime involve people of lower class position.According to Robert Merton, Albert Cohen, Walter Miller, and Elijah Anderson, why would this be the case? How would a broader definition of crime

Accepted Answer

The answer of Many researchers agree that, in the United...

Question 9

The likelihood a person will be arrested for a street crime rises sharply

Accepted Answer

Research consistently shows that the risk of being arrested for a street crime, especially property crimes and drug offenses, peaks during the late teenage years and early twenties. After age 25, the likelihood of being arrested for a street crime declines. Therefore, option A, which states that the likelihood rises sharply during the late teenage years, is the best choice.

Question 10

Describe the labeling theory of deviance.What basic insight about deviance is offered by this approach? How does labeling figure into the difference between primary deviance and secondary deviance? What is the importance of stigma in labeling analysis?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the labeling theory of deviance.What basic...

Question 11

Can you imagine a society without crime? What changes in our society would you imagine having to make in order to dramatically reduce the crime rate? Explain your position.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Can you imagine a society without crime?...

Question 12

What is meant by "community-based corrections?" What are the advantages of this approach compared to sending convicted offenders to prison? What are some of the limitations of this approach? Do you favor or oppose expanding community-based corrections? Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is meant by "community-based corrections?" What...

Question 13

Emile Durkheim made the surprising statement that crime is actually useful and perhaps even necessary for all social organization.Write an essay in which you explain Durkheim's approach and point to a number of specific ways in which crime

Accepted Answer

The answer of Emile Durkheim made the surprising statement that...

Question 14

State four ways in which, according to Emile Durkheim, deviance is functional for society as a whole.

Accepted Answer

The answer of State four ways in which, according to...

Question 15

What insights does feminist theory provide into our society's understanding of deviance? What criticisms does feminism make of sociological material found in this chapter?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What insights does feminist theory provide into...

Question 16

Every society punishes offenders.Write an essay in which you explain four justifications for punishment.Point out how each justification has come to the forefront at different times in history and explain this pattern as best you can.What evidence is there that punishment actually accomplishes what we say it does?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Every society punishes offenders.Write an essay in...

Question 17

According to Elliot Currie, factors that explain the high crime rate in the United States by world standards include

Accepted Answer

Elliot Currie argues that the emphasis on individual economic success weakens the social fabric and contributes to the high crime rate in the United States.

Question 18

The United States is the only western, high-income nation that routinely imposes the death penalty on convicted offenders.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The United States is the only western, high-income nation that routinely imposes the death penalty. Many other countries, such as Canada and European nations, have abolished the death penalty.

Question 19

Apply each of sociology's three theoretical approaches to the topic of deviance.What are the basic insights we gain from each theoretical approach?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Apply each of sociology's three theoretical approaches...

Quiz 9: Deviance