question

The "crime index" reflects which of the following?

answer

Part I offenses on the UCR

question

When conducting research with human participants, criminologists must develop a system of mutual trust and obligation between the researcher and subject. This is referred to as:

answer

Reciprocity

question

Which of the following sources of data includes detailed information on criminal incidents, including location, time, and presence of weapon?

answer

NIBRS

question

Criminologists agree that quantitative research is a means of inquiry superior to qualitative methods.

answer

False

question

Which of the following is commonly used to refer to the number of crimes that are committed, but which never come to official attention?

answer

The dark figure of crime

question

A criminologist decides to study the way in which violent crime is portrayed in newspaper headlines. This type of research in known as:

answer

Content analysis

question

Which of the following refers to "consistency and/or stability of measurement"?

answer

Reliability

question

Participant observation is the best method for obtaining quantitative data regarding crime.

answer

False

question

The use of pretests and posttests applies to which of the following research methodologies?

answer

Experimentation

question

Liquor law offenses are classified as Part I index offenses on the UCR.

answer

False

question

A criminologist wants to gain an in-depth understanding of the subculture of a street gang in a particular city. Which one of the following methods would be the most appropriate method for obtaining such an understanding?

answer

Engaging in an ethnography

question

If participants in an experiment have equal probability of being assigned to the experimental group or the control group, this is accomplished through:

answer

Random Assignment

question

The crime_______ is the actual number of reported crimes standardized by some unit of the population.

answer

Rate

question

The primary source of official crime statistics in the United States is the annual __________ published by the FBI.

answer

UCR

question

The majority of crimes committed in the United States are not "index offenses."

answer

False

question

The Department of Justice evaluates "what works" in criminology and criminal justice on the assumption that it makes little sense to continue to invest in programs that do not work. This describes:

answer

Uniform Crime Report

question

Researchers may misuse their positions as fraudulent pretext for gathering information as long as they fully report their findings.

answer

False

question

Most crimes committed are index crimes.

answer

True

question

The "dark figure of crime" refers specifically to the body of organized crime syndicates that operate in the United States

answer

False

question

Information on the volume of Part I and II offenses known to law enforcement, those cleared by arrest exceptional means, and the number of persons arrested is reported to the FBI monthly.

answer

True

question

If a criminologist conducts a study of an issue that he or she feels strongly about, there may be issues with the researcher remaining:

answer

Objective

question

Criminologists prefer using ethnography as a research method because it is not as time consuming as some of the other methods.

answer

False

question

Which of the following is true of participant observation in the field of criminology?

answer

Participant observation is a valuable methodology for studying groups that have historically been little-understood.

question

When conducting an experiment, the control group receives the treatment and the experimental group does not.

answer

False

question

Criminology's subject matter is concerned with human behavior but not attitudes.

answer

False

question

A criminologist secretly studies groups by temporarily deceiving them as to his or her real purpose. This describes which research method?

answer

Disguised observation

question

Triangulation involves the use of multiple methods to measure a given phenomenon.

answer

True

question

A fanatical adherence to a particular research method, often at the expense of a concern for substance, is known as which of the following?

answer

Methodological narcissism

question

A criminologist visits the Library of Congress to analyze letters and political correspondence of Martin Luther King, Jr. This research method is which of the following?

answer

Life history

question

A criminologist wants to gain an in-depth understanding of the socialization process of a state police academy. Which of the following methods would be the most appropriate method for obtaining such an understanding?

answer

Engaging in participant observation

question

As an independent field, criminology has:

answer

Long recognized the ethical codes of its parent disciplines, but only recently begun to adopt its own ethical guidelines

question

In decades past, societies possessed cultural values that were practices and beliefs intended to benefit a group of people. Cultural values do not hold the same level of importance today.

answer

True

question

Folkways refer to serious customs that involve moral judgments as well as sanctions.

answer

False

question

"Deviant behavior" is defined as "behavior which is in violation of written laws."

answer

False

question

Mores are:

answer

Strong norms that carry sanctions/ punishment if broken

question

Laws, which are codified rules of behavior, represent informal methods of attempting to assure social control.

answer

True

question

Despite its American roots, most of the major developments in modern criminology took place in Europe.

answer

False

question

Practicing bad manners such as putting elbows on the table while eating is an example of Sumner's mores.

answer

False

question

Prohibition had the intended goal of forbidding alcohol consumption to reduce substance abuse. This intended goal is an example of:

answer

Manifest function of the law

question

A particular crime is punishable by 5 years in prison; this crime is most likely:

answer

A felony

question

The government requires that federal courts allow cameras in the court room during trials.

answer

False

question

Crime has evolved over time. The most common types of criminals observed during the 1970s included:

answer

Bank robbers, burglars, and car thieves

question

Corporate violence, racism, structured inequality, and systematic wrongdoing by political officials are examples of:

answer

Undercriminalization

question

According to French sociologist Auguste Comte, the last stage of the progression of knowledge is:

answer

Scientific

question

Which of the following is not a characteristic of criminal law?

answer

It must be administered by federal authorities

question

Crime as a violation of criminal law can only have negative consequences for the social solidarity of any society.

answer

True

question

The belief that criminal law originates from an agreement among members of society is consistent with:

answer

Consensus perspective

question

The residents of country X have diverse viewpoints regarding which behaviors are considered moral. People in this society tend to be individualistic, which may be a product of the economic structure, which is characterized by extensive division of labor. County X would be considered a:

answer

Gesellschaft society

question

Overall crime rates:

answer

Vary by social and historical context

question

The use of philosophy, rationality, and logical argument to explain crime is more reflective of which stage of the progression of knowledge?

answer

Metaphysical

question

Criminologists have a clear understanding of the economic, social, and psychological impacts of crime.

answer

True

question

Which of the following is an example of a person violating a folkway?

answer

Johnny was eating dinner at a friend's house and openly expressed distaste for the meal being served.

question

Prohibition had the unintended effect of increasing corruption, disobedience, and public disrespect for the law. This unintended effect is an example of:

answer

A latent function of law

question

Being arrested for possession of marijuana would best be described as an act:

answer

that is Mala in se

question

As society becomes increasingly complex and heterogeneous, which of the following is typically true of society's effort to maintain order?

answer

Society becomes increasingly reliant on informal methods of social control.

question

As society becomes more complex, it becomes increasingly reliant on informal methods of social control to maintain order.

answer

True

question

Changes in the law may be needed in an effort to define and sanction conduct related to technology.

answer

True

question

Gemeinschaft refers to:

answer

A communal society that predominantly relies on informal methods of social control

question

Definitions of deviance are relative to the time, place, and person(s) making the evaluation.

answer

True

question

Criminology is considered a sub-discipline of:

answer

Sociology

question

Many of the early criminological theories provided biological frameworks that have only recently been considered in the U.S.

answer

False

question

The field of criminalistics is focused on the scientific evaluation of physical evidence.

answer

True

question

Most of the modern-day developments in criminology have taken place in which country?

answer

United States

question

The field that attempts to define, explain, and predict criminal behavior is known as:

answer

Criminology

question

The early writings of this man, including his famous essay, On Crimes and Punishments led to the reform of criminal law in Western Europe.

answer

Cesare Becaria

question

Driving 26 miles per hour in an area where the speed limit is 25 miles per hour would be best described as an act:

answer

Mala prohibita

question

Gambling is an act that would be considered mala prohibita.

answer

True

question

Behavior that is outside the range of normal societal toleration is best described as:

answer

Deviant

question

Famed sociologist Emile Durkheim argued that crime is normal. By this he meant that:

answer

Crime is a predictable product of, and in some ways a useful element of, the structure of society.

question

Fear is a(n) ___________ response to a(n) _________ threat.

answer

emotional; perceived

question

Criminology's subject matter is concerned with human behavior but not attitudes.

answer

True

question

Based on all available evidence, exposure to media violence has:

answer

Different effects on different viewers

question

As unemployment rises, crime rates tend to:

answer

Increase

question

Which of the following is considered the most important social institution in regard to socializing children?

answer

Family

question

The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) was first implemented in the 1930s.

answer

True

question

During war, domestic crime rates tend to decline.

answer

true

question

According to the International Crime Victimization Survey, the rate of violent crime in the United States is:

answer

Higher than the rates in both Canada and Western Europe

question

Which of the following variables is related to an increase in crime rates?

answer

unemployment

question

The argument that drug laws are a tool for the wealthy to control the dangerous classes is consistent with the:

answer

Conflict view of crime

question

Our understanding of the characteristics of crime and criminals remains consistent regardless of the source of information that we are using.

answer

False

question

In his book The Criminal and His Victim: Studies in the Sociobiology of Crime, this individual recognized the importance of investigating what factors underpinned why certain people are victims just as criminology attempts to identify those factors that produce criminality.

answer

Hentig

question

Persons who have been victimized are less likely to be re-victimized.

answer

False

question

Officials estimate that as many as ________________ of all black men have been arrested and served time in jail before the age of 35

answer

27 precent

question

The more frequently a person comes into contact with persons in demographic groups with likely offenders, the more likely it is the person will be victimized is referred to as:

answer

Principle of homogamy

question

An individual is shot while trying to break into a home. This is an example of:

answer

Victim provocation

question

Commonly associated with individuals returning from war and combat, this is a psychiatric condition that recently has been recognized as a possible consequence of other traumatic events.

answer

PTSD

question

While there is not complete consensus, in defining who should be considered "criminal", criminologists most strongly agree that the term should be used for which of the following?

answer

Long-term recidivists who have repeatedly been found guilty

question

The premise of routine activities theory includes three elements that must be present for a crime to occur. Which of the following is not one of those elements?

answer

Presence of durable goods

question

Occurs when a person does something that incites another person to commit an illegal act.

answer

Victim provocation

question

Persons over age 50 are more likely to be violently victimized than teens.

answer

False

question

The "dark figure of crime" refers specifically to the body of organized crime syndicates that operate in the United States.

answer

False

question

A common right provided to victims through the criminal justice system is the right to be treated fairly in a way that preserves their:

answer

Dignity and respect

question

Fads in crime that are stimulated by media coverage or portrayals are referred to as:

answer

Copycat crimes

question

Means by which a person or target can be effectively guarded so that a victimization is prevented from occurring:

answer

Capable guardianship

question

The gap between male and female crime rates is _______ in modernized societies

answer

Narrowing

question

Which of the following is true of laws?

answer

Laws become more common when informal methods of social control are weakened.

question

The person known as the "father of victimology" was:

answer

Mendelsohn

question

Delinquents are less likely to have families characterized by physical illness, mental retardation, and mental disturbance.

answer

False

question

Of all demographic variables, which is the best predictor of criminality?

answer

Gender

question

While crime was rising in the 1960s in the United States, crime was decreasing in Japan. This observation is significant because:

answer

It discredited the assumption that modernization inevitably produces increased criminality.

question

System costs associated with victimization are distributed equally in society.

answer

false

question

Crime rates are difficult to compare cross-nationally due to:

answer

All of the above

question

Compared to other countries, the United States has a strikingly low rate of violent crimes such as murder and rape.

answer

False

question

A victim of rape who resists or uses self-protective actions is less likely than those who do not to be victimized again.

answer

True

question

Triangulation, which occurs when researchers allow their personal bias to shape their research, is one potential threat to the accuracy of our data on crime.

answer

False

question

Which of the following is the most difficult cost to quantify for victims?

answer

Mental health costs

question

Males are more likely to be victimized; however, this gender gap is becoming less evident.

answer

True

question

A large portion of funding for victim compensation programs comes from criminals themselves.

answer

True

question

Prohibition had the unintended effect of increasing corruption, disobedience, and public disrespect for the law. This unintended effect is an example of:

answer

A latent function of law

question

In the context of research methods, "reliability" refers to the accuracy of measurement.

answer

True

question

Which of the following is true of the criminal justice system in the contemporary United States?

answer

There is clear evidence that blatant racism continues to be rampant in the system

question

Extent to which a victim is responsible for his or her own victimization:

answer

Victim precipitation

question

Households earning more than $75,000 per year are more likely to experience victimization than those that earn less than $7,500.

answer

False

question

African Americans compose approximately 12% of the population in the United States. Which of the following is true regarding African Americans and contemporary arrest rates?

answer

African Americans account for 65% of all arrests

question

In stating that criminology may have a Eurocentric bias, it is meant that the field has been:

answer

dominated by European influence of criminologists

question

Victimologists are not as concerned with the costs associated with being a crime victim as with why they become a victim.

answer

True

question

Statistics indicate that juveniles who come from broken homes are significantly more likely to engage in crime than those who do not.

answer

True

question

Which of the following is true regarding the relationship between age and crime?

answer

Both property and violent crime rates peak early in life, and then decline significantly with age.

question

The "age/crime" debate refers to the debate surrounding:

answer

Whether there is a relationship between age and crime

question

Officials estimate that as many as ________________ of all black men have been arrested and served time in jail before the age of 35:

answer

27 percent

question

Females have an overreaching fear of:

answer

Sexual assault

question

This individual created classification of victims based on their culpability.

answer

Mendelsohn

question

Juveniles under the age of 18 have a lower likelihood of being arrested for robbery than adults.

answer

false

question

Characterological self-blame believes victimization is deserved.

answer

True

question

Wolfgang found several factors related to victimology. Select the one below that is not one of the factors described by Wolfgang.

answer

Never started by minor altercation that escalated

question

For youth, ___________ is common after victimization from their peers, such as being bullied

answer

depression

question

Nationally, the disparity of rates between black and nonblacks was much greater for _______________________ offenses.

answer

Drug

question

While most persons arrested and convicted as adult criminals were first arrested as juveniles, most juvenile delinquents do not become adult criminals.

answer

False

question

This does not cause or prevent crime but rather reflects one's social class, location of residence, and exposure to criminal or delinquent opportunities:

answer

Ethnic background

question

Not all victims are eligible for compensation from the crime victims' fund. Victims of which of the following crimes are not eligible

answer

Vehicle theft

question

______________ is also called predicted victimization.

answer

Residential mobility

question

The statement "neighborhoods that have a large percentage of female-headed households have higher rates of theft and violent victimization" is an example of:

answer

Family structure

question

An example of an avoidance behavior is staying home at night.

answer

True

question

This type of crime tends to increase in periods of prosperity and to decrease during periods of depression.

answer

White-collar

question

In decades past, societies possessed cultural values that were practices and beliefs intended to benefit a group of people. Cultural values do not hold the same level of importance today.

answer

True

question

What is the most commonly reported victimization according to NCVS?

answer

Rape

Criminology Part 1 Test – Flashcards

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