Criminology Chapter 4

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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

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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

a. Because drug dealers approach their "profession" in a businesslike fashion

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

b. offense-specific

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

d. the decision to commit crime can be controlled by the threat of criminal punishment

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

d. cost-benefit

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.

b. Offenders commit crime because they may know people who have made "big scores."

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.

a. Most three-time losers are on the verge of aging out of crime anyway.

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

b. Certainty of punishment

Trevor is a habitual criminal offender. He has committed hundreds of burglaries and has stolen approximately 30 vehicles. Trevor was 14 when he was first arrested for stealing a car. He is now 44 years old and just got out of prison. He spent 10 years in prison for an armed robbery.There was only one time when Trevor acted with violence. When he saw a police car patrolling a neighborhood, Trevor backed out of a plan to steal a car. His fellow burglar called him a chicken and a baby. Trevor beat the other guy up. Which type of provocation motivated Trevor?
a.
Market-related
b.
Status-based
c.
Personalistic
d.
Positivist

c. personalistic

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.

a. harsh sanctions work as an effective deterrence to recidivism

Trevor is a habitual criminal offender. He has committed dozens of robberies and hundreds of burglaries, and has stolen approximately 30 vehicles. Trevor was 14 when he was first arrested for stealing a car. He is now 44 years old and just got out of prison. He spent 10 years in prison for an armed robbery.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

b. specific deterrence

According to James Q. Wilson, which of the following does not describe criminals?
a.
Convinced that their crimes will bring severe punishment
b.
Value the excitement and thrill of crime
c.
Have a low stake in conformity
d.
Willing to take greater chances than the average person

a. Convinced that their crimes will bring severe punishment

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. 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

c. Fred's immediate need for money

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 burglary in order to supplement his income.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

b. Increased police patrols in the neighborhood

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

c. send a message

Criminology Chapter 4

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