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True / False
1. Rational choice theory has its roots in classical criminology and the work of Cesare Beccaria.
a.
True
b.
False
2. Rational choice theory has its roots in the positivist school of criminology.
a.
True
b.
False
3. The concept behind rational choice theory is that crime is a function of a decision-making process in which the
potential offender weighs the potential costs and benefits of an illegal act.
a.
True
b.
False
4. The fact that a crime is offense-specific means that criminals must decide if they have the personal needs, skills, and
prerequisites to commit a successful criminal act.
a.
True
b.
False
5. Burglars appear to choose targets on the basis of their value, novelty, and resale potential.
a.
True
b.
False
6. Referring to personality and criminal choices, Siegel states that criminals are more impulsive and have less self-control
than other people.
a.
True
b.
False
7. Sociologist Jack Katz argues that there are immediate benefits to criminality, which he labels the “lures of crime.”
a.
True
b.
False
8. Criminals structure crime. For instance, crack cocaine street dealers prefer the middle of a long block as the best
location for dealing.
a.
True
b.
False
9. Robbers generally choose targets close to their homes or in areas to which they routinely travel.
a.
True
b.
False
10. Status-based violations in regard to robberies involve encounters in which the robber's essential character or values
have been challenged.
a.
True
b.
False
11. Violations that flow from incidents in which the robber’s autonomy or sense of values has been jeopardized are called
“freestanding robberies.”
a.
True
b.
False
12. Market-related robberies emerge from disputes involving partners in trade, rivals, or generalized predators.
a.
True
b.
False
13. According to rational choice theory, crime is not a random event, but rather the product of calculation and planning.
a.
True
b.
False
14. Men who solicit sex workers are referred to as Johns.
a.
True
b.
False
15. Auto thieves are not selective in their choice of target because all cars can be stripped for their valuable parts.
a.
True
b.
False
16. Situational crime prevention suggests that crime prevention can be achieved by reducing the opportunities people have
to commit particular crimes.
a.
True
b.
False
17. Diffusion of benefits occurs when efforts to prevent one crime unintentionally prevent another.
a.
True
b.
False
18. Locking gates and putting unbreakable glass on storefronts are examples of crime discouragers.
a.
True
b.
False
19. According to deterrence theory, not only does the actual chance of punishment influence criminality, but so does the
perception of punishment.
a.
True
b.
False
20. If the punishment for a specific crime is increased and the effectiveness and efficiency of the criminal justice system
are improved, then the number of people engaging in that crime should decline.
a.
True
b.
False
21. There is little evidence that incapacitating criminals will deter them from future criminality.
a.
True
b.
False
22. Specific deterrence is also called particular deterrence.
a.
True
b.
False
23. Less than one-third of all convicted felons are rearrested within three years of their release from prison.
a.
True
b.
False
24. The major premise of incapacitation is that known criminals must be kept in prison and this will reduce crime rates.
a.
True
b.
False
25. Evidence shows that three-strikes laws are effective crime control policies.
a.
True
b.
False
26. Rational choice theory has roots in the __________ school of criminology developed by the Italian social thinker
Cesare Beccaria.
a.
ecological
b.
interactionist
c.
classical
d.
positivist
27. At the end of the nineteenth century, the popularity of the classical approach began to decline as _____ criminologists
focused their attention on internal and external factors, such as poverty, IQ, and education, rather than personal choice and
decision making.
a.
positivist
b.
ecological
c.
classical
d.
interactionist
28. According to Nobel Prize–winning economist Gary Becker, criminals engage in a(n) __________ analysis of crime.
a.
thrill-danger
b.
irrational -unstable
c.
lower-class
d.
cost-benefit
29. Crime is ________ because criminals will react selectively to the characteristics of an individual criminal act.
a.
offender-specific
b.
offense-specific
c.
reward-specific
d.
risk-specific
30. Which of the following circumstances would prompt an offender to decide to forgo crime?
a.
The offender would receive respect from peers.
b.
The offender would stand a good chance of being caught and punished.
c.
The crime would be easy to commit.
d.
The crime would be thrilling to commit.
31. Which statement reflects structuring criminality based on economic need?
a.
Career offenders have learned when to take a chance and when to be cautious.
b.
Offenders commit crime because they may know people who have made “big scores.”
c.
Criminals appear to be impulsive.
d.
Offenders may commit crime when the “right target” presents itself.
32. According to the rational choice approach, the decision to commit crime is structured by ______.
a.
the presence of crime encouragers and absence of crime discouragers
b.
the characteristics of the victim and how the victim may react
c.
the absence or presence of competing offenders
d.
where the crime occurs and the characteristics of the target
33. That thieves select German cars indicates that auto theft is rational because ______.
a.
their vehicle identification number (VIN) codes are not as easily traced as VIN codes on American autos
b.
German cars can be cheaply shipped to Europe where they are in high demand
c.
parts on Germans cars are not etched with identifying codes
d.
German cars usually have high-quality audio equipment
34. Why is drug dealing considered a rational crime?
a.
Because drug dealers approach their “profession” in a businesslike fashion
b.
Because drug dealers are consistently able to avoid detection and arrest
c.
Because drug dealers lure nonusers with “samples” of their product to generate a greater number of hooked,
hard-core users
d.
Because drug dealers are more intelligent than other street offenders
35. “Awareness space” indicates that which crime is rational?
a.
Robbery
b.
Prostitution
c.
Theft
d.
Drug dealing
36. Jacob’s and Wright’s research on robbers indicates that target selection can be a rational choice made to ____ rather
than to generate capital.
a.
instill rage
b.
increase the robber’s reputation
c.
send a message
d.
generate fear
37. The concept of situational crime prevention suggests that desperate people may contemplate crime, but only the truly
____ will attack a well-defended, inaccessible target and risk strict punishment.
a.
needy
b.
skilled
c.
experienced
d.
irrational
38. Marcus Felson argues that the risk of crime may be increased by improving the effectiveness of crime _____.
a.
obstructers
b.
discouragers
c.
monitors
d.
inhibitors
39. Closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance cameras and improved street lighting are mechanical forms of crime
______.
a.
discouragers
b.
inhibitors
c.
obstructers
d.
monitors
40. Situational crime prevention tactics generally fall into one of four categories. Which of the following is not one of
those categories?
a.
Increasing the use of probation for committing crime
b.
Increasing the risk of committing crime
c.
Increasing the effort needed to commit crime
d.
Inducing guilt or shame for committing crime
41. What happens when efforts to prevent one crime unintentionally prevent another?
a.
Diffusion
b.
Discouragement
c.
Displacement
d.
Extinction
42. _____ occurs when crime control efforts simply move, or redirect, offenders to less heavily guarded alternative
targets.
a.
Displacement
b.
Diffusion
c.
Extinction
d.
Replacement
43. A method of crime prevention that seeks to eliminate or reduce particular crimes in specific settings is referred to as
______.
a.
situational crime prevention
b.
guardable space
c.
defensible space
d.
positional crime prevention
44. What happens when crime control efforts targeting a particular locale help reduce crime in surrounding areas and
populations?
a.
Diffusion
b.
Discouragement
c.
Displacement
d.
Replacement
45. What happens when crime reduction programs produce a short-term positive effect, but benefits dissipate as criminals
adjust to new conditions?
a.
Diffusion
b.
Discouragement
c.
Displacement
d.
Extinction
46. What happens when criminals try new offenses they had previously avoided because situational crime prevention
programs neutralized their crime of choice?
a.
Discouragement
b.
Extinction
c.
Replacement
d.
Specific deterrence
47. When video cameras set up in a mall to reduce shoplifting also reduce property damage due to vandalism, this
situational crime prevention benefit is termed ______.
a.
diffusion
b.
dispersion
c.
discouragement
d.
displacement
48. The concept of general deterrence holds that ______.
a.
as people age they commit fewer crimes
b.
if guardians become increasingly motivated, there will be less crime
c.
motivated people will violate the law if left unrestricted
d.
the decision to commit crime can be controlled by the threat of criminal punishment
49. People who believe that they will be caught if they commit crime are the ones most likely to be deterred from
committing criminal acts. What element of deterrence does this reflect?
a.
Perception of punishment
b.
Severity of punishment
c.
Speed of punishment
d.
Certainty of punishment
50. Which aspect of deterrence theory do theorists believe to have the greatest effect on deterring crime?
a.
Severity of punishment
b.
Certainty of punishment
c.
Perception of punishment
d.
Speed of punishment
51. Specific deterrence suggests that criminal sanctions should be so powerful that known criminals will never repeat their
criminal acts. Which statement about harsh (powerful) sanctions and deterrence is not true?
a.
Harsh sanctions work as an effective deterrence to recidivism.
b.
Harsh sanctions may result in defiance rather than deterrence.
c.
Experiencing harsh sanctions may cause severe psychological problems.
d.
The stigma of harsh sanctions labels and locks people into criminal careers.
52. If more criminals are sent to prison, the crime rate should go down. This is referred to as the _____ effect.
a.
incarceration
b.
prison
c.
incapacitation
d.
recidivism
53. Economist Steven Levitt concludes that each person put behind prison bars results in a decrease of ___ serious crimes
per year.
a.
20
b.
15
c.
five
d.
10
54. Which of the following is a reason why some critics say it is premature to embrace three-strikes policies?
a.
Most three-time losers are on the verge of aging out of crime anyway.
b.
Few career criminals engage in violent crime.
c.
Most crime is committed by juveniles who are not eligible for three-strikes punishment.
d.
Crime rates have dropped dramatically in the last decade.
Fred is a 20-year-old who lives in a large metropolitan city. He graduated high school but decided that he would get a job
immediately following high school instead of going to college. He thought making money at that moment was more
important than furthering his education. Now, Fred realizes he is stuck at a dead-end job making minimum wage and is
tired of working so many hours and making so little money. Fred is thinking about committing various crimes in order to
supplement his income.
55. All of the following would be considered offense-specific to burglary that Fred might consider except ______.
a.
the probability of security devices
b.
the ease of selling stolen merchandise
c.
Fred’s immediate need for money
d.
neighbors who might notice a break-in
56. Fred would also consider his needs, skills, and prerequisites to commit burglary. Which of the following would not be
an offender-specific assessment that Fred would make?
a.
Whether he possesses the necessary skills to commit the crime
b.
The ease of selling stolen merchandise
c.
Fred’s fear of apprehension and punishment
d.
Fred’s physical ability
57. According to the research on burglaries, in general, when do burglars prefer to commit their crimes?
a.
3 A.M. to 5 A.M.
b.
9 A.M. to 11 A.M.
c.
6 P.M. to 8 P.M.
d.
11 P.M. to 1 A.M.
58. In order for people to best protect their personal property from people like Fred, they would need to improve the
effectiveness of crime _________________, which are people who serve as guardians of property or people who can help
control would-be criminals.
a.
abolishers
b.
blockers
c.
discouragers
d.
preventers
59. In regard to the term diffusion, what might influence Fred to move to a different community to commit his burglaries?
a.
A lack of suitable targets to burglarize
b.
Increased police patrols in the neighborhood
c.
Other burglars moving into the area
d.
Fred becoming recognizable in the area
60. Fred hears on the local news about Senate Bill 101.c, which states that the first conviction for burglary will result in a
mandatory 10-year sentence. Out of fear for this punishment, Fred no longer commits burglaries. This is most related to
______.
a.
general deterrence
b.
specific deterrence
c.
expedited deterrence
d.
displacement deterrence
61. The judge explained to Trevor at his sentencing hearing 10 years ago that if he is arrested and convicted of another
crime after he serves his 10 years, he is likely to get a lifetime prison sentence under strict sentencing guidelines. Trevor
remembers the words of the judge when he is released from prison. If the judge’s words are what have convinced Trevor
to remain crime free, what crime control policy has successfully kept Trevor a law-abiding citizen?
a.
General deterrence
b.
Specific deterrence
c.
Incapacitation
d.
Rehabilitation
62. In total, between juvenile and adult institutions, Trevor has spent over 20 years of his life incarcerated. His family
cannot understand why he continues to commit crime. They are concerned that he will not be able to remain a law-
abiding citizen. What does the research say about the effect of incarceration and an offender’s likeliness to repeat
criminal behavior?
a.
Most offenders are rearrested within one year of their release from prison.
b.
Most offenders are rearrested within three years of their release from prison.
c.
Most offenders are rearrested within 10 years of their release from prison.
d.
Most offenders are never rearrested once released from prison.
63. According to the ______________ effect, while in prison for 10 years, Trevor was prevented from committing further
offenses.
a.
general deterrence
b.
specific deterrence
c.
incapacitation
d.
rehabilitation
64. About one month after his release, Trevor is frustrated that he has been unable to find a job. He is living on his
sister’s couch and is tired of hearing her complain about him eating all the food in the house. He feels he has no other
option but to get money quickly. He develops a plan to rob the local convenience store late one night. As he walks
toward the convenience store, he notices that there are a lot of police officers doing a DUI checkpoint about a half a mile
down the road. He decides that it would not be wise to attempt to commit this robbery. What effect has occurred here?
a.
Diffusion
b.
Discouragement
c.
Displacement
d.
Replacement
65. Trevor spent his 10-year sentence in a maximum-security prison. There he witnessed assaults and even murders.
Oftentimes, he was in fear for his life. Reflecting back on the past 10 years and what he was exposed to, Trevor is
determined to never again commit a crime that will cause him to end up in prison. What crime control policy is in effect
here?
a.
General deterrence
b.
Specific deterrence
c.
Incapacitation
d.
Rehabilitation
Completion
66. Rational choice theory has its roots in _____________ criminology.
67. ________ theory is the view that crime is a function of a decision-making process in which the potential offender
weighs the potential costs and benefits of an illegal act.
68. The view that an offender reacts selectively to the characteristics of a particular criminal act is known as a/an
___________________.
69. Crime is said to be _________________________ because criminals are not simply robots or automatons who engage
in unthinking and unplanned acts of antisocial behavior.
70. __________________ robberies emerge from disputes involving partners in trade, rivals, or generalized predators.
71. Ryan King and Gretchen Sutto examined characteristics of _______________ and rational choice theory and found
that these crimes were not merely the product of a disturbed mind, but rather a calculated response to a concrete event
whose impact is often fueled by the media.
72. The principle that crime can be prevented or displaced by modifying the physical environment in order to reduce the
opportunity for individuals to commit crime is referred to as _____ space.
73. People who serve as guardians of property or people are called ________.
74. Crime ___________________ may occur if beefed-up police patrols in one area of town appear to reduce crime in the
given area, while in reality it just merely shifted it to a more vulnerable neighborhood.
75. A Philadelphia police program that made use of foot patrols found that while the program worked at first, the effects
began to quickly fade thereafter. This would be an example of ______________________.
76. ____ is an effect that occurs when efforts to prevent one crime unintentionally prevent another.
77. _____ occurs when criminals try new offenses to replace those neutralized by crime prevention efforts.
78. ________________ deterrence refers to situations in which the threat of punishment can reduce but not eliminate
crime.
79. _________________ occurs when a relatively more severe penalty will produce some reduction in crime.
80. Punishments and deterrence rely on three main factors; severity, certainty, and ___________________.
81. _____________ refers to a crime control policy that depends on the fear of criminal penalties convincing the potential
law violator that the pains associated with crime outweigh its benefits.
82. _________ deterrence is the view that criminal sanctions should be so powerful that offenders will never repeat their
criminal acts.
83. Time spent in confinement in a jail or prison as a consequence of a judicial sentence is referred to as
______________.
84. The repetition of criminal behavior is _________.
85. The _____ effect is the idea that keeping offenders in confinement will eliminate the risk of their committing further
offenses.
86. Describe the development of rational choice theory and the philosophers central to the concept of rational choice.
87. According to the concepts of rational choice, what causes law-violating behavior?
88. Explain how economic need, personal traits, and experience contribute to how criminals structure criminality.
89. Explain what it means to say that criminals structure crime.
90. Compare and contrast the belief that drug use is rational. In doing so, create a fictional rational criminal who uses
drugs daily. Explain how and why the individual uses drugs and how this pertains to rational choice theory.
91. Compare and contrast the data on sex crimes and the ability of these crimes to be rational? Provide evidence which
supports your opinion on the rational nature of sex crimes.
92. What evidence supports the view that crime is rational? Include various types of criminal behaviors in your
discussion.
93. Situational crime prevention may produce unforeseen and unwanted consequences. Discuss what is meant by
displacement, extinction, and replacement.
94. Create a fictional crime prevention strategy and give examples (scenarios) of how crime displacement, crime
diffusion, and crime extinction may occur with the crime prevention strategy.
95. Explain what is meant by the statement "some offenders, and some crimes, are more deterrable than others."
96. Compare and contrast the role of marginal and restrictive deterrence in explaining deterrence strategies.
97. How do certainty, severity, and speed of punishment impact general deterrence? How does the criminal justice system
support or hamper these general deterrence factors?
98. Specific deterrence holds that criminal sanctions should be so powerful that known criminals will never repeat their
criminal acts. Critique this approach to criminality. What evidence exists to support specific deterrence?
99. Incapacitation suggests that placing offenders behind bars during their prime crime years should reduce their lifetime
opportunity to commit crime. Not all criminologists are convinced of the validity of this incapacitation effect. Discuss
why this is so.
100. In regard to specific deterrence, explain why it is plausible that evidence on the effectiveness of specific deterrence is
mixed. Provide examples from the text.
