Quiz 2 – Flashcard Test Questions
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What is a theory?
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A theory is a statement regarding the relationship between two or more variables.
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What do criminological theories attempt to define (i.e., do theories attempted to predict what a specific individual will do in a specific case?)
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Theories attempt to define and explain the factors that influence or determine behavior and to explain how these factors interrelate.
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What did early nonscientific theories emphasize as the cause of criminality?
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Early nonscientific theories emphasized moral weakness and evil spirits as the cause of criminality.
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What is the primary premise of the classical school?
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The classical school's primary premise is that crime is a free-will choice.
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What is the primary premise of biological determinism?
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Biological determinism's primary premise is that crime is caused by a biological or biochemical influence over which the offender has little or no control.
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What is the primary premise of psychological theories?
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The primary premise of psychological theories is that crime is caused be emotions, drives, and mental defects that are often not known to the offender.
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What is the primary premise of the sociological school of criminology?
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The primary premise of the sociological school of criminology is that crime is caused by socioeconomic conditions and social interactions and values.
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In classical and neoclassical theories, the explanation of crime is based on what assumption?
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In classical and neoclassical theories, the explanation for crime is based on the assumption that criminal behavior is a matter of choice.
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Who is considered the found of classical criminology?
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Cesare Beccaria
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What is the pain-pleasure principle?
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A philosophical axiom that people are rational and seek to do that which brings them pleasure and to avoid that which causes them pain.
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What book helped lay the foundation for the contemporary American criminal justice system?
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Of Crimes and Punishments
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Who is considered the founder of neoclassical criminology?
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Jeremy Bentham
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How are neoclassical theories similar to the classical school?
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Neoclassical theories are similar to the Classical School in that the basic foundation is the concept that criminal behavior is a matter of free will and the choice to commit criminal behavior can be deterred by pain and punishment.
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What is the major difference between classical and neoclassical theory?
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The major difference between the two theories is that Bentham's neoclassical theory is that Bentham believed that Beccaria's unwavering accountability of all offenders was too harsh.
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What is utilitarianism?
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A philosophy stating that a rational system of jurisprudence provides for the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
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According to the positive school, why do people commit crimes?
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People commit crimes because of uncontrollable internal or external factors that can be observed and measured.
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Positive theories of crime can be divided into what three major schools?
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Biology, psychology, and sociology
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What is determinism (or determinist)?
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Criminal behavior is influenced by factors that are beyond the control of the individual not by free-will choice.
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13. What did Lombroso believe was the cause of crime?
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Criminal behavior was a characteristic of humans who had failed to fully develop form their primitive origins.
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According to Lombroso, how could criminals be differentiated from noncriminals?
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Due to distinctive physical features such as protruding jaws, sloping foreheads, left handedness, and red hair.
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What is atavism?
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The failure of humans to fully develop into modern men and women.
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What are atavistic stigmata?
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The study of the physical traits of criminals.
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Why is Lombroso considered to by many to be the father of scientific criminology?
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He was the first to use the scientific method.
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What is the xyy chromosome theory of crime?
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The idea that violent behavior in males can in part be attributed to the presence of an extra Y chromosome in male offenders.
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According to Freud, human thought and action are controlled by what three components of the unconscious mind (you should be able to explain each component)?
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• Id—unconscious desires and conflicts • Ego—the rational mind • Superego—the moral values system
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According to Freud's theory, criminal behavior is caused primarily by what emotion?
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Internal conflict and guilt
