True / False
1. Rational choice theory has roots in the positivist school of criminology.
a. True
b. False
2. 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
3. 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
4. Referring to personality and criminal choices, Siegel states criminals are more impulsive and have less-self control
than other people.
a. True
b. False
5. 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
6. Robbers generally choose targets close to their homes or in areas to which they routinely travel.
a. True
b. False
7. Auto thieves are not selective in their choice of target since all cars can be stripped for their valuable parts.
a. True
b. False
8. Sociologist Jack Katz argues that there are immediate benefits to criminality which he labels the “lures of crime.”
a. True
b. False
9. Edgework is the excitement or exhilaration of successfully executing illegal activities in dangerous situations.
a. True
b. False
10. Situational crime prevention suggests that crime prevention can be achieved by reducing the opportunities people
have to commit particular crimes.
a. True
b. False
11. Diffusion of benefits occurs when efforts to prevent one crime unintentionally prevent another.
a. True
b. False
12. Locking gates, and putting unbreakable glass on storefronts are examples of crime discouragers.
a. True
b. False
13. 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
14. If the punishment for a 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
15. There is little evidence that incapacitating criminals will deter them from future criminality.
a. True
b. False
16. Specific deterrence is also called particular deterrence.
a. True
b. False
17. Less than 1/3 of all convicted felons are rearrested within three years of their release from prison.
a. True
b. False
18. Retribution is the repetition of criminal behavior.
a. True
b. False
19. The major premise of incapacitation is that known criminals must be kept in prison and this will reduce crime rates.
a. True
b. False
20. Evidence shows that three strike laws are effective crime control policies.
a. True
b. False
Multiple Choice
21. Rational choice theory has roots in the
Cesare Beccaria.
a. ecological
b. interactionist
c. classical
d. positivist
school of criminology developed by the Italian social thinker,
22. At the end of the 19th century, the popularity of the classical approach began to decline as criminologists
focused their attentions 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
23. 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
24. According to Nobel Prize-winning economist Gary Becker, criminals engage in a(n) of crime.
a. thrill-danger analysis
b. irrational – unstable analysis
c. lower-class analysis
d. cost-benefit analysis
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. That thieves select German cars indicates that auto theft is rational because
a. VIN (vehicle identification numbers) 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.
29. 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 non-users 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.
30. “Awareness space” indicates that which crime is rational?
a. robbery
b. prostitution
c. theft
d. drug dealing
31. 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
32. Sociologist Jack Katz argues that there are situational inducements to criminality that directly precede the
commission of crime and draw offenders into law violations. Katz termed these inducements the
a. seductions of crime.
b. thrills of crime.
c. rewards of crime.
d. lures of crime.
33. The “high” or the excitement/exhilaration of successfully executing illegal activities in dangerous situations is referred
to as
a. riskwork
b. edgework
c. buzzwork
d. thrillwork
34. 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
35. Marcus Felson argues that the risk of crime may be increased by improving the effectiveness of .
a. crime obstructers.
b. crime discouragers.
c. crime monitors.
d. crime inhibitors.
36. Closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance cameras and improved street lighting are mechanical forms of
a. crime discouragers
b. crime inhibitors
c. crime obstructers
d. crime monitors
37. 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
38. 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
39. 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
40. 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.
41. 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
42. What is known about police and certainty of punishment?
a. The manner in which police approach their tasks may have more deterrence power than simply adding more
police.
b. Research indicates that routine patrol may have a significant impact on crime rates.
c. Adding police on the street has no effect on crime rates.
d. Evidence shows that cities with larger police departments do not experience lower levels of violent crime.
43. Research on the immediate impact of well-publicized executions
a. indicated that executions have an immediate impact on murder rate.
b. evidenced an immediate impact effect at the state level.
c. failed to find evidence that an execution produces an immediate decline in the murder rate.
d. indicated that each execution equates to seven less murders.
44. 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
45. 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.
46. Certain anti-crime measures have greater impact on some individuals than others. These people are considered more
________ .
a. rational
b. displaceable
c. deterrable
d. discourageable
47. The rationale for using “three strikes” sentencing policies relies on
a. speed and certainty of punishment
b. specific deterrence and incapacitation
c. general deterrence and incapacitation
d. perception and speed of punishment
48. If more criminals are sent to prison, the crime rate should go down. This is referred to as
a. the incarceration effect
b. the prison effect
c. the incapacitation effect
d. the recidivism effect
49. Economist Steven Levitt concludes that each person put behind prison bars results in a decrease of
crimes per year.
a. 20
b. 15
c. 5
d. 10
serious
50. 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.
51. What occurs when crime control efforts simply move, or redirect, offenders to less heavily guarded alternative
targets.
a. displacement
b. diffusion
c. extinction
d. replacement
52. What happens when efforts to prevent one crime unintentionally prevent another?
a. diffusion
b. discouragement
c. displacement
d. extinction
53. 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
54. 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
55. 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
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.
56. All of the following would be considered offense-specific to burglary that Fred might consider EXCEPT:
a. the probability of security devices
b. ease of selling stolen merchandise
c. Fred’s immediate need for money
d. neighbors who might notice a break-in
57. 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
58. According to the research on burglaries, in general, when do burglars prefer to commit their crime?
a. 3am to 5am
b. 9am to 11am
c. 6pm to 8pm
d. 11pm to 1am
59. 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
60. What is the term used to describe Fred if he were 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
61. The judge explained to Trevor at his sentencing hearing ten years ago that if he is arrested and convicted of
another crime after he serves his ten 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 law abiding?
a. general deterrence
b. specific deterrence
c. incapacitation
d. rehabilitation
62. In total, Trevor has spent over twenty years of his life incarcerated, between juvenile and adult institutions.
His family cannot understand why he continues to commit crime. They are concerned that he will not be able
to remain law‐abiding. 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 ten 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 ten 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 towards 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 ten year sentence in a maximum security prison. There he witnessed assaults and even
murders. Often times, he was in fear for his life. Reflecting back on the past ten years and what he was
exposed to, Trevor is determined never to commit another crime to end up in prison again. What crime control
policy is in effect here?
a. general deterrence
b. specific deterrence
c. incapacitation
d. rehabilitation
Completion
66.
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.
67. The excitement or exhilaration of successfully executing illegal activities in dangerous situations is referred to as
______.
68. The principle that crime can be prevented or displaced by modifying the physical environment to reduce the
opportunity that individuals have to commit crime is referred to as space.
69. People who serve as guardians of property or people are called .
70. is an effect that occurs when efforts to prevent one crime unintentionally prevent another.
71. occurs when criminals try new offenses to replace those neutralized by crime prevention efforts.
72. deterrence is the view that criminal sanctions should be so powerful that offenders will never repeat
their criminal acts.
73. Time spent in confinement in a jail or prison as a consequence of a judicial sentence is referred to as
______________.
74. The repetition of criminal behavior is .
75. The
offenses. effect is the idea that keeping offenders in confinement will eliminate the risk of their committing further
Essay
76. Describe the development of rational choice theory and the philosophers central to the concept of rational choice.
77. According to the concepts of rational choice, what causes law violating behavior?
78. Explain how economic need, personal traits, and experience contribute to how criminals structure criminality.
79. Explain what it means to say that criminals structure crime.
80. What evidence supports the view that crime is rational? Include various types of criminal behaviors in your
discussion.
81. Sociologist Jack Katz argues that there are immediate benefits to criminality. Explain Katz’s view.
82. Situational crime prevention may produce unforeseen and unwanted consequences. Discuss what is meant by
displacement, extinction, and replacement.
83. The theory of specific deterrence holds that criminal sanctions should be so powerful that known criminals will never
repeat their criminal acts. Critique this theory. What evidence exists to support specific deterrence?
84. How do certainty, severity, and speed of punishment impact general deterrence? How does the criminal justice
system support or hamper these general deterrence factors?
85. Incapacitation theory suggests that placing offenders behind bars during their prime crime years should reduce their
lifetime opportunity to commit crime. Not all criminologists buy into this incapacitation effect. Discuss why this is so.