Test Bank for Introduction to Criminology 4th Edition by Schram
ISBN: 9781071859018
Introduction to Criminology (4th)
ISBN 9781071859018 | Chapter 1: Introduction to Criminology
Total Questions: 80 Easy
Multiple Choice (33)
Q1. [Multiple Choice]
A ______ is the authority to forgo juvenile court jurisdiction and transfer the case to criminal court.
a) disposition hearing
b) temporal ordering
c) judicial waiver ✓ correct
d) jurisdiction
Q2. [Multiple Choice]
A ______ of crime views the formal system of laws, as well as the enforcement of those laws, as incorporating societal norms for which there is a broad normative consensus.
a) conflict perspective
b) symbolic interactionism
c) consensus perspective ✓ correct
d) traditionalism perspective
Q3. [Multiple Choice]
A crime that is considered “an act inherently and essentially evil, that is immoral in its nature and injurious in its consequence, without any regard to the fact of its being noticed or punished by the law of the state” is called ______.
a) mala in se ✓ correct
b) mala prohibita
c) illegal
d) civil wrongs
Q4. [Multiple Choice]
A crime that is considered “an act which is not inherently immoral, but becomes so because its commission is expressly forbidden by positive law” is called ______.
a) mala in se
b) mala prohibita ✓ correct
c) illegal
d) civil wrongs
Q5. [Multiple Choice]
According to the conflict perspective, conflict is often resolved when the group in power achieves ______.
a) control ✓ correct
b) a truce
c) defeat
d) values
Q6. [Multiple Choice]
Certain state statutes exclude certain juveniles from juvenile court jurisdiction, such as when a juvenile has been tried and convicted as an adult on a previous occasion. These provisions are called ______.
a) statutory exclusions ✓ correct
b) concurrent jurisdictions
c) detention hearings
d) waiver provisions
Q7. [Multiple Choice]
In 1983, the ______ was established by the U.S. Department of Justice to implement recommendations from the President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime.
a) Department of Victimology and Statistics
b) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention ✓ correct
c) Department of Justice and Measurements
d) Office of Compensation and Restitution
Q8. [Multiple Choice]
In 2002, President George W. Bush created the ______ in an effort to protect and defend the United States from terrorist threats.
a) Drug Enforcement Administration
b) Department of Homeland Security ✓ correct
c) Federal Bureau of Investigation
d) U.S. Secret Service
Q9. [Multiple Choice]
In the 1967 case In re Gault, which due process right did the Supreme Court extend to juveniles?
a) against self-incrimination ✓ correct
b) guaranteed bail after arraignment
c) formally protest excessive fines
d) free speech during court hearings
Q10. [Multiple Choice]
In the juvenile justice system, a trial is called a(n) ______.
a) commitment
b) adjudication hearing ✓ correct
c) delinquent act
d) detention
Q11. [Multiple Choice]
Juveniles are usually confined to facilities called ______ on a short-term basis while awaiting trial.
a) prisons
b) jails
c) detention centers ✓ correct
d) work camps
Q12. [Multiple Choice]
Part of thegeneral purposeof the criminal justice system is to ______.
a) predict crime
b) prevent crime ✓ correct
c) provide community support
d) provide positive role models
Q13. [Multiple Choice]
Prostitution is illegal in most jurisdictions in the United States. However, prostitution is legal, and licensed, in most counties of Nevada. This type of crime would be considered ______.
a) mala in se
b) mala prohibita ✓ correct
c) illegal
d) civil wrongs
Q14. [Multiple Choice]
The American colonists followed the common law doctrine from England, which held that juveniles ______ years or older could be treated the same as adults.
a) 7 ✓ correct
b) 12
c) 14
d) 18
Q15. [Multiple Choice]
The ______ task force program assists state and local enforcement in preventing and investigating technology-based sexual exploitation.
a) Central Intelligence Agency
b) Department of Homeland Security
c) Internet Crimes Against Children ✓ correct
d) Federal Bureau of Investigation
Q16. [Multiple Choice]
The extent to which concepts and propositions of a theory make sense in terms of face value, consistency, and existing knowledge is called ______.
a) logical consistency ✓ correct
b) parsimony
c) causality
d) testability
Q17. [Multiple Choice]
The structure of the criminal justice system is often presented as the police in addition to ______.
a) corrections only
b) courts only
c) courts and corrections ✓ correct
d) victims and courts
Q18. [Multiple Choice]
What is the trait that indicates how much of a given phenomenon a theory attempts to explain?
a) testability
b) correlation
c) causation
d) scope ✓ correct
Q19. [Multiple Choice]
Which age-group experiences the highest rates of violent victimization?
a) older adults
b) young adults ✓ correct
c) middle-aged individuals
d) children
Q20. [Multiple Choice]
Which appeals court is limited in its jurisdiction to decisions on matters of appeal from lower courts and trial courts but is not the highest federal court in the United States?
a) court of limited jurisdiction
b) court of general jurisdiction
c) court of appellate jurisdiction ✓ correct
d) Supreme Court
Q21. [Multiple Choice]
Which court is a lower court and does not have power that extends to the overall administration of justice and so does not try felony cases and does not have appellate authority?
a) court of limited jurisdiction ✓ correct
b) court of general jurisdiction
c) court of appellate jurisdiction
d) Supreme Court
Q22. [Multiple Choice]
Which court is part of the federal court system?
a) U.S. small claims court
b) U.S. Supreme Court ✓ correct
c) state district court
d) state court of appeals
Q23. [Multiple Choice]
Which of these is a nonresidential sanction?
a) jails
b) prisons
c) halfway houses
d) house arrest ✓ correct
Q24. [Multiple Choice]
Which type of court is also called a major trial court?
a) court of limited jurisdiction
b) court of general jurisdiction ✓ correct
c) court of appellate jurisdiction
d) Supreme Court
Q25. [Multiple Choice]
______ are not necessarily against the law but are considered atypical and may be deemed immoral rather than illegal.
a) Mala in secrimes
b) Mala prohibitacrimes
c) Deviant acts ✓ correct
d) Civil wrongs
Q26. [Multiple Choice]
______ defined criminology as the body of knowledge regarding crime as a social phenomenon, which includes the process of making laws, of breaking laws, and of reacting toward the breaking of laws.
a) Hirschi
b) Gottfredson
c) Durkheim
d) Sutherland ✓ correct
Q27. [Multiple Choice] ______ is a relatively new area of criminology.
a) Policing
b) Victimology ✓ correct
c) Research methodology
d) Statistical analysis
Q28. [Multiple Choice] ______ is attained by explaining a phenomenon, such as criminal activity, in the simplest way possible.
a) Temporality
b) Parsimony ✓ correct
c) Criminology
d) Exclusivity
Q29. [Multiple Choice] ______ is generally reserved for those convicted of more serious crimes with longer sentences who may be housed in a supermax, maximum, medium, or minimum security prison, based on security concerns.
a) Jail
b) Probation
c) Parole
d) Prison ✓ correct
Q30. [Multiple Choice] ______ is given by the state/government, and restitution is given by the person who offended, typically as part of the sentence given.
a) Compensation ✓ correct
b) Restorative justice
c) Victim impact statements
d) Jurisdiction
Q31. [Multiple Choice] ______ is the extent to which a theoretical model is supported by scientific research.
a) Parsimony
b) Scope
c) Testability
d) Empirical validity ✓ correct
Q32. [Multiple Choice] ______ is the extent to which a theory can be empirically and scientifically evaluated for accuracy.
a) Testability ✓ correct
b) Correlation
c) Causation
d) Scope
Q33. [Multiple Choice] ______ often refers to the various criminal justice agencies and institutions, such as police, courts, and corrections, that are interrelated and work together toward common goals.
a) Victimology
b) Restorative justice
c) Criminal justice ✓ correct
d) Jurisprudence
True/False (17)
Q34. [True/False]
A person can be placed on probation, incarcerated, or transferred to some type of community-based corrections facility.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q35. [True/False]
A person may have to comply with both general and specific conditions of probation.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q36. [True/False]
Agencies at the state level are divided into counties and municipalities.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q37. [True/False]
Criminology is the scientific study of crime.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q38. [True/False]
Deviant acts are always illegal.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q39. [True/False]
Judges can sentence people to a combination of probation and incarceration.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q40. [True/False]
Mala prohibitaacts are not necessarily considered highly deviant.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q41. [True/False]
Prisons are designated for people serving shorter terms, such as for those awaiting trial.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q42. [True/False]
Shock incarceration is a term that is interchangeable with life sentence.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q43. [True/False]
Some acts are moving from being deemed deviant to being declared illegal.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q44. [True/False]
The FBI and the DEA are both examples of federal law enforcement agencies.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q45. [True/False]
The Postal Service and the Forest Service have no police power.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q46. [True/False]
The consensus perspective of crime is currently the prevailing explanation of criminal behavior that is accepted by most social scientists.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q47. [True/False]
The main goals of the criminal justice system are to control crime, to prevent crime, and to provide and maintain justice.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q48. [True/False]
The term criminology was first coined by the Italian law professor Raffaele Garofalo.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q49. [True/False]
There is one definition of what crime is.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q50. [True/False]
Unlike the court system, law enforcement doesn’t include various organizational levels at the federal, state, and local levels.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Essay (1)
Q51. [Essay]
What is a judicial waiver in the context of the juvenile justice system?
Suggested answer: Sample response: In the context of the juvenile justice system, a judicial waiver provides the authority to waive juvenile court jurisdiction and transfer the case to criminal court.
Medium
Multiple Choice (5)
Q52. [Multiple Choice]
A person sentenced to a residential sanction in this state attempting to reduce its incarcerated population would most likely could be given which sentence?
a) 18 months in a prison
b) 3 months in a halfway house ✓ correct
c) 6 months checking into a day reporting center
d) 12 months under house arrest
Q53. [Multiple Choice]
Due to the concept of parens patriae, juveniles in the United States ______.
a) have always enjoyed the same due process rights as adults
b) did not obtain due process rights until after the Civil War
c) did not obtain due process rights until the 1960s ✓ correct
d) still have no recognized due process rights according to the Supreme Court
Q54. [Multiple Choice]
Historically, the primary objective of processing juveniles was to determine ______.
a) guilt
b) innocence
c) what was in the best interest of the child ✓ correct
d) if their parents had any responsibility
Q55. [Multiple Choice]
The term criminology was first coined by ______.
a) Raffaele Garafalo ✓ correct
b) Paul Topinard
c) Edwin Sutherland
d) Joanne Belknap
Q56. [Multiple Choice]
______ is a criterion of causality that requires a change in a predictor variable (X) to be consistently associated with some change in the explanatory variable (Y).
a) Causation
b) Spuriousness
c) Validity
d) Correlation ✓ correct
True/False (8)
Q57. [True/False]
Criminologists, such as Richard Quinney, maintain that criminological theory has not placed enough emphasis on explaining criminal behavior.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q58. [True/False]
In the field of criminology, it is fairly easy to establish causality.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q59. [True/False]
Journalists play a key role in examining crime.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False Correct answer: True
Q60. [True/False]
Studies show that victim impact statements in death penalty cases have virtually no impact on sentencing when the case involves a victim of low socio-economic status.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q61. [True/False]
The U.S. Supreme Court has unlimited jurisdiction.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q62. [True/False]
The United States has one judicial system.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct Correct answer: False
Q63. [True/False]
The question, “Why are some behaviors defined as criminal while others are not?” is considered part of the conflict perspective.
a) True ✓ correct b) False
Correct answer: True
Q64. [True/False]
The term crime processing may be more appropriate than the term criminal justice. a) True ✓ correct b) False
Correct answer: True
Essay (10)
Q65. [Essay]
Besides the study of crime, what else does the field of criminology of encompass?
Suggested answer: Sample response: Generally speaking, criminology focuses on reasons why people engage or don't engage in criminal behavior.
Q66. [Essay]
Explain how somemala prohibitaacts are not necessarily viewed as highly deviant.
Suggested answer: Sample response: Even though these acts may be illegal, they may not be deviant, as in the case with speeding or minor traffic violations. This is the case because many people engage in these acts and do not see them as necessarily wrong or deviant.
Q67. [Essay]
Explain the difference between consensus and conflict perspectives and how they relate to the formation of laws. How would each of these perspectives view the formation of a new law, such as a “no texting while driving” law?
Suggested answer: Sample response: Consensus perspective assumes virtually everyone agrees on the laws and therefore assumes no conflict in attitudes regarding the laws and rules of society. This perspective would view the formation of this new law as incorporating societal norms and that everyone agrees with the new law. Conflict perspective assumes most people disagree on what the law should be and that law is used as a tool by those in power to keep down other groups. This perspective would view the new law as a way to keep a group of the population down and that not everyone agrees with the new law.
Q68. [Essay]
Explain the two models of state police departments?
Suggested answer: Sample response: The two models of state police departments are the state police model and the highway patrol model. In the state police model, exemplified by states like Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania, the agencies have general police powers and enforce state laws while also conducting routine patrols and traffic regulation. They have specialized units for investigating major crimes, intelligence, drug trafficking, juveniles, and crime laboratories. On the other hand, the highway patrol model primarily focuses on enforcing laws related to motor vehicle operation on public roads and highways. In some cases, they also investigate crimes that occur in specific locations or circumstances, such as on state highways or state property.
Q69. [Essay]
Give one example of a general condition that could be imposed upon an individual on probation.
Suggested answer: Sample response: Some general conditions for people on probation include regularly reporting to their supervising officer, obeying the laws, submitting to searches, and not being in possession of firearms or using drugs.
Q70. [Essay]
How is the concept ofparens patriaerelated to the juvenile justice system? Why do we, as a nation, treat juveniles differently in the United States and many other countries?
Suggested answer: Sample response: The criminal justice system treats juveniles differently because they are different not only physically but also psychologically as well. The term parens patriae means “the parent of the country,” recognizing the state has both the right and obligation to intervene on behalf of and to protect its citizens who are impaired, have an impediment, or who are not as emotionally developed as an adult. Because juveniles lack psychological maturity, they fall within these boundaries.
Q71. [Essay]
Provide an explanation for why we should shift focus from explaining criminal behavior to explaining criminal law.
Suggested answer: Sample response: Shifting our focus to understanding criminal law, as advocated by some criminologists, is essential because it allows us to examine the process by which certain behaviors and individuals are officially labeled as criminal. Instead of solely focusing on explaining criminal behavior, this perspective prompts us to question why specific behaviors are deemed criminal while others are not. By analyzing criminal law, we gain insights into the dynamics of societal norms, power structures, and the construction of the legal framework. This broader perspective contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system and its impact on society.
Q72. [Essay]
Studies show that victim impact statements have little impact on how judges sentence people. Why is this so?
Suggested answer: Sample response: These statements are only heard after the verdict is reached, so only the judge is evaluating the victim impact statement. Judges have been trained to set aside their emotions and only consider objective criteria when making rulings on evidence, motions, and even sentencing. These statements are highly emotional in nature, so judges may subconsciously negate the emotional aspects of them.
Q73. [Essay]
Using the termsmala in seandmala prohibita,explain why marijuana is now legalized in many jurisdictions, while other “hard drugs” like heroin and cocaine are not.
Suggested answer: Sample response: Marijuana is now considered relatively harmless by a large number of citizens and those who make the laws. Conversely, drugs like heroin and cocaine are considered harmful (mala in se). There are scientific studies to back up these perspectives. Back in the 1950s, citizens and lawmakers alike would never consider legalizing marijuana, even though there was scant evidence of it being physically addictive (mala prohibita). This example is the converse of how seatbelts used to be considered optional but are mandatory in many states.
Q74. [Essay]
Why is the U.S. judicial system referred to as a dual court system?
Suggested answer: Sample response: The U.S. judicial system is referred to as a dual court system due to its complex structure consisting of separate yet interconnected federal and state courts. While each state, the District of Columbia, and the federal government have their own judicial systems, they form a dual court system in which federal courts and state courts coexist. State court systems typically have multiple tiers, including lower courts, trial courts, appellate courts, and the state's highest court, while the federal court system follows a three-tiered model with district courts, courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court. The term "dual" emphasizes the existence of these distinct but interrelated systems within the broader U.S. judicial framework.
Multiple Choice (2)
Q75. [Multiple Choice]
A person trying to pass a law against texting while driving says, “Everyone agrees that this is a bad thing, so we should make it a crime.” Which perspective on crime does this person most likely support?
a) consensus ✓ correct
b) conflict
c) parsimony
d) restitution
Q76. [Multiple Choice]
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates passive victim precipitation?
a) A person unknowingly walks into a dangerous neighborhood and is assaulted by a stranger.
b) A person confronts a group of individuals who are known to be involved in criminal activities and gets physically assaulted.
c) A person forgets to lock their front door, and someone breaks in and steals all of their valuables stolen. ✓ correct
d) A person provokes an argument with his neighbor, resulting in his neighbor physically attacking him.
Essay (4)
Q77. [Essay]
Discuss two characteristics of good criminological theory and give an example of each characteristic.
Suggested answer: Sample response: Two characteristics of a good criminological theory are parsimony and empirical validity. Parsimony refers to explaining a phenomenon, such as criminal activity, in the simplest way possible. An example of this can be seen in the theory of low self-control, which posits that one personality factor, namely low self-control, is responsible for all criminal behavior. This theory offers a straightforward explanation for criminal activity, emphasizing a single factor as the underlying cause. On the other hand, empirical validity is the extent to which a theoretical model is supported by scientific research. For instance, deterrence theory suggests that severe legal punishment deters people from repeating their crimes. However, a recent meta-analysis of 116 studies found that incarceration had little to no overall effect on reoffending and may even lead to a slight increase in subsequent offenses. These findings question the empirical validity of deterrence theory, highlighting the importance of empirical support when evaluating the strength and reliability of criminological theories.
Q78. [Essay]
Give an example and provide an explanation of amala in seact and amala prohibitaact.
Suggested answer: Sample response: An example of a mala in se act is murder. Murder is universally condemned as an immoral act that causes severe harm and loss of life. Regardless of whether murder is punished or noticed by the law, its inherent evil nature remains unchanged. The act of taking another person's life is universally recognized as morally wrong and injurious, regardless of the legal consequences involved. Thus, murder exemplifies a mala in se act, as it is immoral and harmful by its very nature, irrespective of legal enforcement. On the other hand, a prime example of a mala prohibita act is speeding on a highway. While speeding is illegal and prohibited by traffic laws, it does not possess the same inherently evil nature as murder. Many individuals engage in speeding on highways, often without considering it to be a deviant behavior. This is because speeding is not inherently immoral or injurious. Rather, its classification as a mala prohibita act arises solely due to its prohibition by positive law.
Q79. [Essay]
What makes something deviant? Give an example of a deviant act that is not illegal.
Suggested answer: Sample response: Something is deviant when it violates a social norm. It is often viewed as strange, although not always immoral. Examples of a deviant acts include belching in public, coughing without covering your mouth, putting your elbows on the table at a meal, and so on.
Q80. [Essay]
Why is defining crime a difficult task? Give your definition of crime, and give two examples to illustrate your definition.
Suggested answer: Sample response: Defining crime poses a significant challenge due to the diverse viewpoints and interpretations surrounding the concept. Scholars have debated on what should be considered a crime, considering factors like a legalistic approach, potential harm caused by actions, and varying jurisdictional laws. In my understanding, crime encompasses both behaviors that violate the law and those that cause harm to individuals or society. For instance, murder represents a mala in se offense, universally acknowledged as inherently evil, immoral, and illegal across jurisdictions. On the other hand, possession and use of marijuana can be seen as a mala prohibita offense; although the act was once seen as highly deviant, attitudes have changed to the extent that the use of marijuana is seen as mala prohibita in jurisdictions where it is still illegal. It is crucial to acknowledge that deviant acts, which may not necessarily be criminal, reveal a disposition towards antisocial behavior often associated with criminal conduct. Therefore, defining crime requires considering legal parameters, intrinsic immorality, and societal norms, as illustrated by the examples provided.