Chapter 15 Self-test questions

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. Which of the following statements best describes a theory?

An explanation of things outside of our experiences correct incorrect

A description of an act or behaviour correct incorrect

An argument about causation correct incorrect

An idea without evidence correct incorrect

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. Which of the following are key steps involved in forming a theory? (Select all that apply.)

Observation correct incorrect

Dissemination correct incorrect

Identification correct incorrect

Conclusions correct incorrect

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. 'We can assess the usefulness of a theory and its strengths and weaknesses by applying nine key tests.' True or false?

True correct incorrect

False correct incorrect

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. 'Empirical validity' assesses…

Whether the theory is capable of being tested correct incorrect

The extent to which a theory is supported by research evidence correct incorrect

The accuracy with which a theory can predict new phenomena correct incorrect

Whether the theory is clear and makes sense correct incorrect

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. What is a 'grand theory'?

A theory that explains problems at the individual level correct incorrect

An explanation to a problem which is applicable in most situations correct incorrect

The most common and widely used type of theory correct incorrect

A theory based on empirical data which describes what is happening correct incorrect

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. 'Criminological theory is helpful for identifying and understanding problems but it cannot suggest ways of addressing them.' True or false?

True correct incorrect

False correct incorrect

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. What key claim does interpretivist criminology make?

Complex social and human interactions can never be fully measured correct incorrect

People are rational and choose to offend in order to gain something correct incorrect

Criminological behaviour is determined by social/psychological and biological issues correct incorrect

Criminology should focus on the effect of power in a society correct incorrect

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. Which group of theorists study how authority is constructed?

Positivists correct incorrect

Interpretivists correct incorrect

Critical theorists correct incorrect

Classical theorists correct incorrect

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. 'Positivist theorists seek to explain criminality through an analysis of ___________.' What is the missing phrase?

personal experiences and feelings correct incorrect

the ways in which people interact with the natural world correct incorrect

measurements of factual information about the social world correct incorrect

crimes themselves, rather than offenders or society correct incorrect

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. When is classical criminology believed to have emerged?

12^th century correct incorrect

15^th century correct incorrect

18^th century correct incorrect

19^th century correct incorrect

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. Who wrote the famous monograph 'On Crimes and Punishments' in 1764?

John Locke correct incorrect

Jeremy Bentham correct incorrect

Cesare Beccaria correct incorrect

Jean-Jacques Rousseau correct incorrect

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. For classical criminologists, crime is solved through…

The arbitrary use of power, harsh punishment, and control correct incorrect

An effective and efficient use of a just and fair process, culminating in punishing the offender only as much as is necessary to pay for their crime correct incorrect

Ensuring that the intentions of the offender are central to decisions regarding guilt and punishment correct incorrect

Dispensing justice slowly, so that there is a large gap between the crime and the punishment correct incorrect

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. Which two theorists are most commonly associated with 'rational choice theory'?

Cornish and Clarke correct incorrect

Bentham and Beccaria correct incorrect

Rawls and Goring correct incorrect

Cohen and Felson correct incorrect

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. What are 'involvement decisions'?

Decisions about whether to engage in crime as opposed to other types of activity correct incorrect

Decisions about whether to commit a specific crime correct incorrect

Decisions about exactly what action to take in order to commit a crime correct incorrect

Decisions about whether to involve others in a crime you intend to commit correct incorrect

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. Which crime theory did Cohen and Felson suggest?

Rationale choice theory correct incorrect

Convict criminology correct incorrect

Utilitarianism correct incorrect

Routine activity theory correct incorrect

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. Situational crime prevention suggests that we should…

Make crime targets more secure correct incorrect

Remove offenders' reasons for wanting to commit crime correct incorrect

Make punishments harsher so that they are more of a deterrent correct incorrect

Improve public awareness of the criminal law and criminal justice correct incorrect

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. Which of the following are among Coleman's suggestions for better design to reduce crime? (Select all that apply.)

Fewer anonymous spaces correct incorrect

Increasing surveillance by letting people overlook each other correct incorrect

Removal of easy ways to escape without being seen correct incorrect

Building more subways correct incorrect