Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminal behavior, and the societal responses to it, encompassing various disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and law. Originating in the 19th century with figures like Cesare Lombroso, who pioneered the idea of the “born criminal,” the field has evolved to explore the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors influencing criminality.
Key theories in criminology include:
Classical Theory: Posited by Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham, it views crime as a rational choice, emphasizing deterrence through swift and certain punishment.
Positivist Theory: Led by Lombroso and later Émile Durkheim, this approach focuses on empirical evidence, suggesting that criminal behavior stems from biological, psychological, or social determinants.
Strain Theory: Developed by Robert Merton, it argues that crime arises from a disjunction between societal goals (e.g., wealth) and the means available to achieve them, leading to deviance.
Social Learning Theory: As proposed by Albert Bandura, it posits that criminal behavior is learned through interactions and observations in social environments.
Criminology also examines subfields such as victimology, which studies crime victims; penology, focusing on punishment and correctional systems; and white-collar crime, addressing offenses in professional settings. Modern criminology incorporates contemporary issues like cybercrime, terrorism, and the impact of globalization on criminal networks.
The field plays a crucial role in informing criminal justice policies, prevention strategies, and rehabilitation programs, aiming to reduce crime and promote social justice. Through research methods like surveys, experiments, and statistical analysis, criminologists seek to understand patterns of crime and develop evidence-based interventions.
Table of contents
- Part 1: OnlineExamMaker AI quiz maker – Make a free quiz in minutes
- Part 2: 20 criminology quiz questions & answers
- Part 3: OnlineExamMaker AI Question Generator: Generate questions for any topic
Part 1: OnlineExamMaker AI quiz maker – Make a free quiz in minutes
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Part 2: 20 criminology quiz questions & answers
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1. Question: What is the primary focus of classical criminology?
Options:
A) Free will and rational choice
B) Biological determinants of crime
C) Social learning processes
D) Psychological disorders
Answer: A
Explanation: Classical criminology, developed by theorists like Beccaria and Bentham, emphasizes that individuals have free will and make rational choices to commit crimes based on a cost-benefit analysis, advocating for deterrence through punishment.
2. Question: Which theory suggests that crime is a result of social disorganization in neighborhoods?
Options:
A) Strain theory
B) Social disorganization theory
C) Differential association theory
D) Labeling theory
Answer: B
Explanation: Social disorganization theory, proposed by Shaw and McKay, argues that crime rates are higher in areas with weak community ties, poverty, and instability, as these factors disrupt social control and norms.
3. Question: What is the key concept in labeling theory?
Options:
A) The impact of social bonds on behavior
B) How labels applied by society can lead to deviant behavior
C) Economic inequalities causing crime
D) Biological factors influencing aggression
Answer: B
Explanation: Labeling theory, associated with Becker, posits that individuals may internalize negative labels from society (e.g., “criminal”) and adopt deviant roles, perpetuating criminal behavior through self-fulfilling prophecies.
4. Question: In criminology, what does recidivism refer to?
Options:
A) The first-time commission of a crime
B) The repetition of criminal behavior after punishment
C) The process of rehabilitation
D) The study of crime victims
Answer: B
Explanation: Recidivism is the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend, often measured by rearrest rates, and it highlights failures in the criminal justice system to prevent repeat offenses.
5. Question: Which type of crime involves the use of force or threat to obtain property?
Options:
A) White-collar crime
B) Violent crime
C) Property crime
D) Cybercrime
Answer: C
Explanation: Property crime, such as burglary or theft, involves taking or damaging another’s property without direct harm to a person, distinguishing it from violent crimes that involve physical force.
6. Question: What is the main idea behind strain theory?
Options:
A) Crime results from blocked opportunities to achieve cultural goals
B) Crime is learned through interactions with others
C) Crime is due to genetic predispositions
D) Crime occurs in disorganized communities
Answer: A
Explanation: Strain theory, developed by Merton, explains crime as a response to the strain between societal goals (e.g., wealth) and the means to achieve them, leading individuals to use illegitimate methods when legitimate ones are unavailable.
7. Question: Which agency is primarily responsible for investigating federal crimes in the United States?
Options:
A) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
B) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
C) Department of Homeland Security
D) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Answer: A
Explanation: The FBI is the primary federal law enforcement agency tasked with investigating violations of federal laws, including crimes like terrorism and organized crime, under the U.S. Department of Justice.
8. Question: What does the term “deterrence” mean in the context of criminology?
Options:
A) Rehabilitating offenders through therapy
B) Preventing crime through the threat of punishment
C) Studying the causes of crime
D) Imprisoning offenders indefinitely
Answer: B
Explanation: Deterrence theory holds that the certainty, severity, and swiftness of punishment can discourage potential offenders from committing crimes by making the consequences outweigh the benefits.
9. Question: Which factor is most associated with the routine activities theory of crime?
Options:
A) The presence of a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian
B) Social inequality and class conflict
C) Biological traits like genetics
D) Peer influence and group dynamics
Answer: A
Explanation: Routine activities theory, by Cohen and Felson, posits that crime occurs when a motivated offender meets a suitable target in the absence of a capable guardian, such as in everyday routines.
10. Question: What is a key characteristic of white-collar crime?
Options:
A) Committed by individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds
B) Involves violence and physical harm
C) Typically committed by professionals in occupational settings
D) Always involves organized crime groups
Answer: C
Explanation: White-collar crime, as defined by Sutherland, refers to non-violent crimes committed by individuals in professional or business contexts, such as fraud or embezzlement, often for financial gain.
11. Question: In criminology, what is the broken windows theory?
Options:
A) A theory linking minor disorders to more serious crimes
B) A focus on genetic causes of criminal behavior
C) The idea that poverty directly causes crime
D) A model for prison rehabilitation
Answer: A
Explanation: Broken windows theory, by Wilson and Kelling, suggests that visible signs of disorder (e.g., broken windows) in a neighborhood can lead to more serious crimes by signaling a lack of social control.
12. Question: Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects against unreasonable searches and seizures?
Options:
A) First Amendment
B) Fourth Amendment
C) Fifth Amendment
D) Sixth Amendment
Answer: B
Explanation: The Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures by government officials, requiring warrants based on probable cause, which is crucial in criminal investigations.
13. Question: What is the primary goal of restorative justice?
Options:
A) To punish offenders through incarceration
B) To repair the harm caused by crime through reconciliation
C) To deter future crimes with strict laws
D) To study the psychological profiles of criminals
Answer: B
Explanation: Restorative justice focuses on repairing the harm to victims, offenders, and the community through processes like mediation, rather than solely punishing the offender.
14. Question: Which theory links crime to the learning of deviant behaviors through social interactions?
Options:
A) Conflict theory
B) Differential association theory
C) Control theory
D) Biosocial theory
Answer: B
Explanation: Differential association theory, by Sutherland, argues that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others in intimate personal groups, where individuals acquire attitudes favorable to crime.
15. Question: What does the term “victimology” study?
Options:
A) The patterns of criminal behavior
B) The relationship between victims and offenders
C) The effectiveness of police strategies
D) The rehabilitation of prisoners
Answer: B
Explanation: Victimology examines the victims of crime, including their characteristics, the nature of victimization, and the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system.
16. Question: In corrections, what is parole?
Options:
A) A fixed prison sentence
B) Early release from prison under supervision
C) A type of community service
D) A form of capital punishment
Answer: B
Explanation: Parole allows an inmate to serve the remainder of their sentence outside of prison under supervision, aiming to reintegrate them into society while monitoring their behavior.
17. Question: Which factor is emphasized in conflict theory of criminology?
Options:
A) Individual psychological issues
B) Power imbalances and social inequality
C) Biological heredity
D) Routine daily activities
Answer: B
Explanation: Conflict theory, influenced by Marx, views crime as a result of inequalities in society, where laws and enforcement protect the interests of the powerful while marginalizing the less powerful.
18. Question: What is the main purpose of the Miranda rights in the U.S. criminal justice system?
Options:
A) To ensure fair trials for defendants
B) To inform suspects of their rights during arrest
C) To speed up the indictment process
D) To protect victims’ identities
Answer: B
Explanation: Miranda rights, established by the Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona, require police to inform suspects of their right to remain silent and have an attorney, protecting against self-incrimination.
19. Question: Which type of criminological research method involves observing subjects in their natural environment?
Options:
A) Experimental research
B) Survey research
C) Ethnographic research
D) Archival research
Answer: C
Explanation: Ethnographic research involves immersing researchers in the subjects’ environment to observe and understand criminal behaviors in context, providing qualitative insights.
20. Question: What is the key element of the rational choice theory in criminology?
Options:
A) Offenders act impulsively without thought
B) Individuals weigh the costs and benefits before committing a crime
C) Crime is solely influenced by environmental factors
D) Genetic factors determine criminal decisions
Answer: B
Explanation: Rational choice theory assumes that offenders make calculated decisions based on perceived risks and rewards, influencing crime prevention strategies like increasing surveillance.
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