Criminology Final Study Guide

deviant behavior

deviant behavior

activities that violate social norms

theory

a hypothesis that has been tested with a significant amount of data

general theories of crime

people with similar behavior and physical characteristics; highlights people with low self-esteem are more likely to commit crimes

sociological perspective

crime is shaped by factors external to the individual (everyday environment)

unreported crime

what is the dark figure of crime?

no

is all deviant behavior illegal?

status offenses

noncriminal acts considered a law violation but is considered “illegal” because a minor committed the crime (ex. truancy)

classical school

what is the first modern approach to criminology?

prevent recidivism (a.k.a. deterrence)

what was Cesare Beccarria's punishment designed to do?

justice model

(offender deserve punishment)

rational choice theory

a factor: individual choice

specific deterrence

prevents offender from recidivism

over emphasis on ________

what is the criticism of rational choice theory?

true

according to classical criminology, "humans are rational" (T/F)

selective human breeding

what was developed during the eugenics movement?

true

contemporary biosocial theorists see interaction of person with their environment a determining factor for criminality (T/F)

false

biological theory emphasizes the tole of "free will" (T/F)

antisocial behaviors

what is low resting heart rate linked to?

more crime

vitamin deficiencies are linked to ________

ID

pleasure principle

more likely to commit crimes

a poorly developed super ego leads to someone being ________

conflict theory

struggle between classes

social process theory

views criminality as a function of people’s interactions with various organizations, institutions, and processes in society

social disorganization theory

a person’s residential location is more significant than the person’s characteristics when predicting criminal activity

broken windows theory

reducing physical deterioration

Merton's strain theory

resort to illegitimate means to obtain middle-class goals

social process theories

learned in interactions

learning theory

product of social environment

social bond theory

offending behavior is caused by weakened or broken social bonds with law-abiding people/institutions

self control

what is the key concept of the general theory of crime

reactions of society

what is the major element of labeling theory?

social class

different “levels” of earned income and socioeconomic statuses in society

proletarians

who are the exploited working class according to Marx?

peace making criminology

based on the premise that violence creates violence, so peaceful solutions will reduce crime

naïve and utopian

what are the criticisms of peace making criminology?

false

restorative justice movement: crime is an offense against the gov. (T/F)

people with low economic status

who are at a higher risk of violent victimization?

medical care

what is a tangible cost of crime?

true

victimization isn't equally distributed (T/F)

true

early victimologists focused on responsibilities of victims (T/F)

1st

premeditative murder is what degree?

strangers

male serial killers are more likely to attack __________

assault

what is the most common workplace violence?

racial

what is the most common hate crime?

true

victims and offenders (especially in homicides) share similar characteristics (T/F)

short-term

what type of employee steal cash and merchandise?

fun

what is the main purpose of joyriding?

fence

receives stolen property to resell it for a profit

during the day

when are residential crimes most common?

true

employee more serious than shoplifting (T/F)

retail businesses (not wholesale)

who are burglars more likely to target?

nature of the crime

white-collar crime definitions focus on ________

securities and commodities fraud

stock market manipulation, ponzi schemes, and hedge funds

money laundering

financial transactions where criminals try to disguise the origins on funds so they don’t have to pay as much (or any) taxes on them

true

occupational crimes can be committed by either white or blue-collar workers

false

a corporation cannot be held accountable for acts of employees (T/F)

false

terrorists don't commit white-collar crimes

true

"lone sharks" will lend you money

opium

a highly used drug in the 1900s

marijuana

what is the most common illicit drug?

schedule 1 drugs

drugs with high potential of abuse with no medical use

synthetic drugs

drugs produced by the changing of their chemical makeups

decriminalization

reduces the criminal penalties

legalization

eliminated laws

internet

what is a powerful tool for recruiting girls for prostitution?

true

most drug offenses are recreational crimes (T/F)

true

opioid abuse is a public health emergency (T/F)

phishing

sending fraudulent emails under the name of reputable companies to induce individuals to give away personal information

computer viruses

what does malware involve?

computer crime

any violations of criminal law that involve a knowledge of computer technology for their perpetration, investigation, or prosecution

false

creation of destructive computer viruses is for financial gain (T/F)