rational choice theroy

In terms of theoretical stance, both Cesare Beccaria and Cesare Lombroso are pioneers of rational choice theory.

False — Beccaria is linked to classical rational choice ideas, but Lombroso is a biological positivist, not part of rational choice theory

Modern rational choice theorists believe crimes/deviant behaviors are replaceable (functionally equivalent).

False — They see crimes as having different choice-structuring properties; not all crimes can substitute for one another.

Rational choice theorists believe crime comes from uncontrollable biological or psychological drives.

False — They believe crime is a calculated decision, not driven by uncontrollable forces.

In crime “hot spots,” motivated offenders find abundant opportunities to commit deviant acts.

True

Convenience stores with no security, women out late, and street prostitutes are all suitable targets for motivated offenders.

True

Light and/or small things (wallet, passport) are soft targets.

True

Big/heavy things (locked car, gun safe) are hard targets.

True

Unattended babies, young children, and single elderly women are soft targets.

True

Convenience stores with alarms and martial arts instructors are hard targets.

True

Motivated offenders must possess special skills to control soft targets.

False — Soft targets are easy to acces

Motivated offenders need special skills to control hard targets.

true

Limited rationality means less-educated people can predict outcomes as accurately as well-educated people.

False — Limited rationality means not everyone can predict outcomes accurately; education affects reasoning ability.

Measuring incarceration rates helps determine whether criminals will receive certain punishments.

True

Severe punishments usually deter crime effectively.

False — Rational choice theorists say deterrence depends on certainty and swiftness, not just severity.

Factors like personal skill, info, and expected costs can prevent crime displacement.

True

Classic rational choice theorists assume people make rational decisions regardless of emotion or education.

True

Modern theorists say each crime has its own choice-structuring property, making it hard to commit multiple types.

True

The concept of “choice-structuring property” was advanced by Derek Cornish and Ronald Clarke.

True

Arson and burglary share the same choice-structuring properties.

False — Each has distinct motivations, risks, and required skills.

Unarmed robbery is riskier (in terms of being killed by police) than armed robbery.

False — Armed robbery is riskier due to the perceived threat.

Slum areas = High So M + High So T + Low So G.

False — Slums have low social organization and guardianship, not high.

Gated communities = High So M + High So T + High So G.

False — Gated communities actually have low motivation, low target suitability, and high guardianship.

Impoverished rural towns = Low So M + High So T + Low So G.

False — Rural areas typically have low motivation and low target suitability.

Larry Cohen is a modern rational choice theorist.

True

Ronald Clarke and Marcus Felson are modern rational choice theorists

True

Which of the following can serve as a capable guardian of crime/delinquency?
a. German shepherd

b. Your roommate 

c. Your boyfriend/girlfriend 

d. Alarm system

e. All of the above

all the above

Classic rational choice theory focuses on the ________ of crime/deviance.

a. Elimination 

b. Prevention  

c. Categorization 

d. Rehabilitation 

e. Prediction

prevention 

The theory of ________ laid the foundation for modern U.S. criminal justice policies.
a. Shock incarceration 

b. Re-education 

c. Rehabilitation 

d. Deterrence  

e. Treatment

detternece

Which may not serve as capable guardians? a. Teachers b. Neighbors c. Young babies d. Insane persons e. c and d

babies insane

Which concept of human nature is rejected by rational choice theorists? a. Reason b. Calculation c. Conditional free will d. Determinism  e. Self-interest

determinism 

Which of the following can deter crime?
a. Target-hardening b. Neighborhood watch c. Defensible space architecture d. Eliminating hot spots e. All of the above

all da above

The legacy of classic rational choice theorists includes everything but a. Humanizing justice b. Advancing pure rationality c. Shaping criminology d. Rejecting capital punishment deterrence e. Suggesting minorities are dangerous

e. Suggesting minorities are dangerous

Modern rational choice theorists emphasize ________ as root cause of crime.
a. Age b. Education c. Perceived criminal opportunity d. Gender e. All of the above

c. Perceived criminal opportunity

Who is less capable of rational decision-making?a. The elderly b. The insane c. Children d. Moronze e. All of the above

All of the above

Which can increase rationality? a. Victim experience b. Education c. Financial hardship d. Academic training e. All of the above

All of the above