57. Criminologists argue that “three strikes” policies will not work because:
a. Most offenders are too young.
b. The punishments are still too lenient.
c. The punishment is not certain.
d. Current sentences for violent crimes are already too severe.
58. The view that proposes placing offenders behind bars during their prime crime years in order to lessen their
opportunity to commit crime is known as:
a. preventive incapacitation. b. specific incapacitation.
c. opportunity reduction effect. d. incapacitation effect.
59. Evaluations of incarceration strategies reveal that their impact may be less than expected. Why might
incarceration not work?
a. Because prison exposes young, impressionable offenders to higher-risk, more experienced inmates who
can influence their lifestyle and shape their attitudes.
b. Because most criminal offenses are committed by old offenders, who are unlikely to be sent to prison for
a single felony conviction.
c. Because incarcerated criminals are too young.
d. Because not enough offenders are being incarcerated.
60. The philosophy of justice that asserts that those who violate the rights of others deserve to be punished is known
as:
a. specific deterrence. b. just deserts.
c. revenge. d. retribution.
61. According to Von Hirsch’s view on “just desserts,” why is punishment based on deterrence or incapacitation
wrong?
a. Punishment based on deterrence or incapacitation does not allow for the possibility of rehabilitation.
b. Punishment based on deterrence or incapacitation is used only within the adult criminal justice system,
thus, it ignores juvenile offenders.
c. Punishment based on deterrence or incapacitation involves an offender’s future actions.
d. Von Hirsch did not view punishment based on deterrence or incapacitation as wrong.
62. The concept of “just desserts” has been proposed by Von Hirsch as a theoretical model to guide justice policy.
Which statement reflects that just desserts theory is concerned with the rights of the accused?
a. The offender should not be treated as more or less blameworthy than is warranted by the character of his
or her offense.
b. An offender who violates others’ rights deserves to be punished.
c. Punishment is needed to preserve the social equity disturbed by crime.
d. Retribution justifies punishment because people get what they deserve for past deeds.
63. Some rational choice theorists believe that all criminal behavior, no matter how destructive or seemingly
irresponsible, is actually a matter of thought and decision making.
a. True
b. False
64. Rational choice theory has roots in the positivist school of criminology developed by Lombroso.
a. True
b. False
65. To deter people from committing more serious offenses, Beccaria believed punishment should be as severe as
possible regardless of the offense.
a. True
b. False
66. British philosopher Jeremy Bentham helped popularize the view of utilitarianism.
a. True
b. False
67. According to Bentham, the purpose of law is to produce and support the total happiness of the community it
serves.
a. True
b. False
68. British philosopher Sir Lawrence Driscoll wrote the book On Crimes and Punishment, from which the
Classical School was developed.
a. True
b. False
69. If a crime is offense-specific, offenders have weighed their abilities, resources, needs, and levels of fear.
a. True
b. False
70. Status–based violations occur when an individual challenges a criminal’s manhood or character,
a. True
b. False
71. The choice of crime may be dictated by market conditions.
a. True
b. False
72. Market-related offenses between drug dealers occur primarily as a result of a turf or territory war.
a. True
b. False
73. Clearly indicating a rational thought process, robbers avoid victims who may be armed and dangerous.
a. True
b. False
74. Research has depicted that the majority of drug users as being rational in their decision to use, and these users
believe that the use of drugs and the benefits associated with usage outweigh the costs.
a. True
b. False
75. When studying serial killers, criminologists do not find any evidence to indicate that they make rational decisions
when choosing victims.
a. True
b. False
76. Edgework is the exhilarating, momentary integration of danger, risk, and skill that motivates people to try a
variety of dangerous criminal and noncriminal behavior.
a. True
b. False
77. Target-reduction strategies are designed to reduce the value of crime to potential criminals,
a. True
b. False
78. Situational crime prevention has many elements but one key element states that items which are disposable and
can be easily sold by thieves are most likely to be taken.
a. True
b. False
79. Curfew laws have been overwhelmingly effective at reducing crime rates.
a. True
b. False
80. The “A” in the CRAVED model of rational offending stands for Affordability.
a. True
b. False
81. Philip Seymour Hoffman is credited with creating the CRAVED model of rational choice theory.
a. True
b. False
82. The reason general deterrence is a growing approach is because over the past decade serious offenses have
resulted in apprehension and conviction in nearly 43% of cases.
a. True
b. False
83. Bruce Jacobs is credited with coining the term general deterrence in his 1973 study on police use of force and
crime reduction in New York City.
a. True
b. False
84. The faster punishment is applied and the more closely it is linked to the crime, the more likely it will serve as a
deterrent.
a. True
b. False
85. The Minneapolis domestic violence study showed that arresting offenders was an ineffective means of reducing
recidivism.
a. True
b. False
86. Specific deterrence is aimed at deterring all potential offenders from committing crime.
a. True
b. False
87. About two-thirds of convicted felons are rearrested within three years
a. True
b. False
88. The majority of the evidence available supports the notion that incapacitation is the best measure for reducing
future offending upon release.
a. True
b. False
89. About 9% of all inmates on death row have prior convictions for murder
a. True
b. False
90. Discuss the work of Cesar Beccaria and the impact his writings had on the criminal justice system.
91. Explain what is meant by the seductions of crime and how it leads to criminal behavior.
92. How is drug use the result of rational choice? Provide specific examples to support your response.
93. There is some evidence that suggests criminals are rational. Discuss some of these findings.
94. What are the five strategies of situational crime prevention efforts? Provide an example for each.
95. Explain the CRAVED model of situational crime prevention.
96. Explain the elements of general deterrence. Be sure to discuss the importance of perceived punishment.
97. Is the death penalty an effective deterrent? Why or why not?
98. Explain why is it believed that severe punishments actually promote crime rather than prevent it.
99. As a crime-control strategy, does incapacitation actually reduce crime? Support your response by explaining
why or why not.
100. How have rational choice theory and Von Hirsch’s concept of just desserts impacted public policy?