Criminology Chapter 1 Quizzes

There has been considerable debate over the legalization of marijuana. In a number of states, voters have decided to modify the law to legalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. This is an example of the _________ perspective

pluralist

The primary significance of crime and of criminal behavior is fundamentally ______ in nature.

social

control over crime must stem from effective

social policy

Differing interpretations of the killing of black men by the police is an example of

social relativity

________ is defined as the notion that social events are interpreted differently according to the cultural experiences and personal interests of the initiator, the observer, or the recipient of that behavior.

social relativity

Which behaviors is considered delinquent in all states?

A 13-year-old running away from home Young people (under the age of 18, 17, or 16, depending on jurisdiction) running away from home is considered a delinquent action in all states

is/are defined as the scientific study of crime, the criminal law, and components of the criminal justice system, including the police, courts, and corrections

Criminal Justice

________ is defined as any human activity that violates social norms.

Deviant behavior

Which event in the late 1950s contributed to the beginning of a steady increase in the crime rate?

Dollar limits were removed from larceny statutes. This occurred in 1958.

Michael's parents divorced when he was very young and he grows up poor, without many opportunities to thrive. He eventually begins to participate in criminal activities and is eventually arrested and charged with breaking and entering, as well as assault with a deadly weapon. In her closing argument, the prosecutor asserts that many other individuals in Michael's position do not commit crimes and that Michael is solely responsible for his behaviors. Which perspective most closely reflects the prosecutor's argument

Individual responsibility perspective The individual responsibility perspective asserts that individuals are fundamentally responsible for their own behavior and that they choose crime over other, more law-abiding courses of action.

political perspective on crime

It asserts that criminal laws do not necessarily bear any inherent relationship to popular notions of right and wrong. The political perspective defines crime in terms of the power structures that exist in society and asserts that criminal laws do not necessarily bear any inherent relationship to popular notions of right and wrong.

describes crime from a legalistic perspective?

It is any human conduct in violation of the criminal laws of a state, the federal government, or a local jurisdiction that has the power to make such laws. According to the legalistic perspective, crime is human conduct in violation of the criminal laws of a state, the federal government, or a local jurisdiction that has the power to make such laws.

Which of the following is true of the consensus perspective on criminalizing certain behaviors?

It is most applicable to homogeneous societies, or those characterized by shared values, norms, and belief systems. The consensus perspective holds that laws should be enacted to criminalize given forms of behavior when members of society generally agree that such laws are necessary. This is most applicable to homogeneous societies, or those characterized by shared values, norms, and belief systems.

Deviant behavior example

Lily, a lawyer, prefers to wear casual clothes to work despite her firm having a formal dress code. Deviant behavior is human activity that violates social norms. Lily's behavior is considered deviant and not criminal.

criminal justice professional

Police officers, corrections professionals, probation and parole officers, judges, district attorneys, criminal defense attorneys, and others who do the day-to-day work of the criminal justice system are best referred to as criminal justice professionals.

Which of the following best illustrates a challenge to translational criminology?

Research showing a detrimental link between on-screen violence and increased levels of violent behavior among children Although research strongly supports such a link, such claims are frequently met with "cries of incredulity" and policy makers are reluctant to slow the production of violent media

Reginald's parents are divorced. He grew up in a low-income home in a rough neighborhood. Because of his background, Reginald becomes involved in crime. Which perspective best explains this outcome

Social problems perspective The social problems perspective is the belief that crime is a manifestation of underlying social problems, such as poverty, discrimination, pervasive family violence, inadequate socialization practices, and the breakdown of traditional social institutions, which matches Reginald's situation quite well

You are discussing the concept of crime with some classmates. One classmate argues that crime involves antisocial acts that harm the existing social order. She believes that the fact that the behavior violates the criminal law is less important than the effect it has on human relationships. Which definitional perspective has your classmate adopted?

Sociological Perspective

What differentiates deviant behavior from delinquent behavior?

The age of the perpetrator Delinquent behavior is misbehavior—criminal or deviant—that is carried out by young people. Youth is determined as under 18 in some states, but under 16 or 17 in others

Which of the following is true of advocates of the social problems perspective on crime and criminality

They believe crime must be addressed in the same way as public health concerns. Advocates of the social problems perspective advance solutions to crime based on a public-health model, i.e., crime must be addressed in much the same way as public-health concerns like AIDS, herpes, or avian flu.

Which of the following examples best illustrates the fact that deviant behavior is not necessarily criminal?

Wearing eccentric and shocking styles of clothing, but not violating decency statutes Deviant styles of dress, for example, although perhaps outlandish to the majority, are generally not circumscribed by criminal law unless (perhaps) decency statutes are violated by a lack of clothing.

An example of evidence-based criminology occurs when

a city's experiment with after-school activities was shown to significantly reduce rates of juvenile delinquency. This was a controlled experiment whose results could be analyzed and reviewe

The practice of evidence-based criminology puts the criminologist in role of a(n)

scientist

Smoking in public places such as parks was recently criminalized in Ashfolk. This decision, however, was not put to a vote and was decided purely on the basis of the prevailing social norms of the country. It is most likely that Ashfolk's law was passed based on the ________ perspective.

consensus

Hank tells his lawyer that his continued poverty forced him to commit crimes for his survival. Hank's poverty is a(n) ________ of crime.

contribution

Fred, a 35-year-old accountant, witnesses a car accident on a lonely road. He drives slowly past the scene and sees many injured people, but offers no help and does not call 911, even though Good Samaritan laws apply. Fred's behavior is an example of

criminal behavior. Criminal behavior is human activity, both intentional and negligent, that violates the criminal law. It may include a failure to act when there is a legal obligation to do so, as was the case with Fred.

Professor Martin's research examines the relationship between crime and socioeconomic status. Because she is often asked to provide consulting services to local and state law enforcement agencies, Professor Martin is a

criminologist. A criminologist is one who is trained in the field of criminology; also, one who studies crime, criminals, and criminal behavior.

A theory which attempts to explain all (or at least most) forms of criminal conduct through a single overarching approach is referred to as a(n) ________ theory

general A general theory attempts to explain all (or at least most) forms of criminal conduct through a single overarching approach.

The consensus perspective is most applicable to ______________ societies.

homogenous

Dr. Presley, a sociologist, and Dr. Meyer, a genetic biologist, have both spent many years working with incarcerated violent adult offenders to study the impact of early childhood experiences on adult criminality. Working together, they have developed a theory of violent criminal behavior that uses concepts from both fields of study. They have most likely developed a(n) ___________ theory

integrated An integrated theory has an explanatory perspective that merges (or attempts to merge) concepts drawn from different sources. Dr. Presley and Dr. Meyer have different scientific backgrounds (sociology and genetic biology) and have developed a theory that uses concepts from both fields. This is most likely an integrated theory of criminal behavior.

Justin is a criminologist who studies alcohol abuse. He believes that all forms of alcohol abuse should be criminal, regardless of whether or not they cause harm to others. Justin is most likely to hold the ________ perspective on crime.

maladaptive The maladaptive view of crime does not require any of the traditional elements in order for an act to be a crime: no actual harm to others; no prohibition by law before the act is committed; no arrest; and no conviction in a court of law. Any behavior which is maladaptive would be considered crime.

The ________ perspective holds that behaviors are typically criminalized through a political process only after debate over the appropriate course of action.

pluralist

According to the _____________ perspective, crime is viewed as behavior that poses a threat to those in power.

political In this perspective, crime is the result of criteria that have been built into the law by powerful groups which are then used to label selected undesirable forms of behavior as illegal

Drew is excited by the thought of driving fast. Though he is aware of the speed limits and that he could be arrested, he enjoys speed. Sometimes he imagines himself to be in a high-speed car chase, which further adds to the thrill. Drew's behavior best fits the ________ perspective on crime.

social responsibility Advocates of the social responsibility perspective say that perpetrators may choose crime because it is exciting, offers illicit pleasures, and the companionship of like-minded thrill-seekers, or because it is simply personally less demanding than conformity

Most contemporary criminologists primarily employ a(n) ________ perspective.

sociological

Before initiating its after-school programs, city council members received testimony from a criminologist who theorized that such activities would lead to reduced rates of juvenile delinquency. This connection between research and workable social policy is referred to as

translational criminology. Successfully connecting theory and social policy is the heart of translational criminology.

A theory which posits only one factor or source for all forms of criminal conduct is referred to as a(n) ________ theory.

unicausal Unicausal means having one cause. Unicausal theories posit only one source for all that they attempt to explain.