Theories of Crime: A Comprehensive Guide for Criminology Students

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a key concept in strain theory?

Accepted Answer

Cultural deviance

Answer

Anomie

Answer

Social control

Answer

Opportunity

Question 2

According to control theory, which of the following is the primary factor that prevents individuals from committing crime?

Accepted Answer

Strong social bonds

Answer

Weak self-control

Answer

Rational decision-making

Answer

Fear of punishment

Question 3

Which theory of crime suggests that crime is primarily a result of social and economic inequalities?

Accepted Answer

Social conflict theory

Answer

Rational choice theory

Answer

Biological theory

Answer

Psychological theory

Question 4

According to labelling theory, which of the following factors is most likely to lead to secondary deviance?

Accepted Answer

Social stigma

Answer

Emotional instability

Answer

Genetic predisposition

Answer

Economic deprivation

Question 5

Which theory of crime focuses on the interaction between the individual and their environment?

Accepted Answer

Ecological theory

Answer

Social learning theory

Answer

Routine activities theory

Answer

Broken windows theory

Question 6

According to rational choice theory, individuals commit crimes when they perceive that the benefits outweigh the costs.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 7

Which theory of crime suggests that crime is a learned behavior that is reinforced through social interactions?

Accepted Answer

Social learning theory

Answer

Social control theory

Answer

Strain theory

Answer

Routine activities theory

Question 8

According to broken windows theory, disorder and incivilities in a neighborhood create an environment that is conducive to crime.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 9

Which theory posits that criminal behavior is primarily influenced by genetic and biological factors?

Accepted Answer

Biosocial criminology

Answer

Social learning theory

Answer

Strain theory

Answer

General deterrence theory

Question 10

What is the fundamental principle of routine activities theory?

Accepted Answer

Crimes occur when motivated offenders, suitable targets, and the absence of capable guardians coincide

Answer

Criminal behavior is a product of social disadvantage and inequality

Answer

Crime rates are determined by the presence of biological or psychological abnormalities

Answer

Individuals engage in crime as a rational choice based on the potential rewards and risks

Question 11

Which of the following is **not** a key tenet of strain theory?

Accepted Answer

Differential association

Answer

Social inequality

Answer

Anomie

Answer

Blocked opportunities

Question 12

According to labeling theory, individuals are more likely to engage in criminal behavior if they:

Accepted Answer

Are perceived and treated as criminals by society

Answer

Are exposed to poverty and deprivation

Answer

Experience mental illness

Answer

Have a genetic predisposition to crime

Question 13

Which theory of crime posits that criminal behavior is primarily learned through interactions with others?

Accepted Answer

Differential association theory

Answer

Social control theory

Answer

Situational crime prevention theory

Answer

Routine activities theory

Question 14

According to rational choice theory, individuals weigh the potential benefits and risks of committing a crime before acting. This perspective is most closely associated with which scholar?

Accepted Answer

James Q. Wilson

Answer

Cesare Lombroso

Answer

Edwin Sutherland

Answer

Travis Hirschi

Question 15

Which research method is most frequently employed in empirical studies of crime causation?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative survey

Answer

Qualitative interview

Answer

Historical analysis

Answer

Participant observation

Question 16

The broken windows theory suggests that visible signs of crime and disorder create a social environment that encourages further criminal activity. This perspective can be classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Situational theory

Answer

Macro-level theory

Answer

Micro-level theory

Answer

Normative theory

Question 17

Which theory of crime emphasizes the influence of social and cultural factors on criminal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Social structural theory

Answer

Biological theory

Answer

Psychological theory

Answer

Economic theory

Question 18

Postmodern criminology views crime as a product of:

Accepted Answer

Discourse and representation

Answer

Social inequality

Answer

Power dynamics

Answer

Biological factors

Question 19

Which theory of crime focuses on the role of the criminal justice system in defining and shaping criminal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Critical criminology

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Social control theory

Answer

Environmental criminology

Question 20

In criminology, the term 'labeling' refers to the process by which:

Accepted Answer

Individuals are categorized as criminals by society

Answer

Crimes are officially recorded by the police

Answer

The media reports on crime and criminal justice

Answer

Victims experience trauma

Question 21

In Strain Theory, which of the following is NOT a response to blocked opportunities?

Accepted Answer

Conformity

Answer

Innovation

Answer

Ritualism

Answer

Retreatism

Question 22

According to Labeling Theory, what is a significant consequence of being labeled a deviant or criminal?

Accepted Answer

Increased likelihood of social exclusion and stigmatization

Answer

Improved self-esteem and enhanced job opportunities

Answer

Reduced motivation to engage in criminal behavior

Answer

Enhanced ability to conform to social norms

Question 23

Rational Choice Theory assumes that individuals:

Accepted Answer

Are rational actors who weigh the costs and benefits of crime

Answer

Are primarily driven by social and environmental factors

Answer

Lack the capacity to make rational decisions

Answer

Are inherently predisposed to criminal behavior

Question 24

Conflict Theory primarily attributes crime to:

Accepted Answer

Economic inequality and social conflict

Answer

Lack of individual opportunities and social disorganization

Answer

Biological predispositions and mental health issues

Answer

Weak moral values and peer influence

Question 25

A key strength of Social Learning Theory is its:

Accepted Answer

Comprehensive explanation of crime as a learned behavior

Answer

Strong empirical support from research

Answer

Ability to predict individual criminality with certainty

Answer

Clear policy implications for effective crime prevention

Question 26

Which theory proposes that crime rates fluctuate in a predictable pattern over time?

Accepted Answer

Ecological Theory

Answer

General Strain Theory

Answer

Social Disorganization Theory

Answer

Conflict Theory

Question 27

According to strain theory, what are the primary causes of crime?

Accepted Answer

Social inequality and perceived lack of opportunities.

Answer

Biological factors, such as genetics.

Answer

Psychological disorders.

Answer

Environmental factors, such as poverty.

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a key concept in labelling theory?

Accepted Answer

Rational choice.

Answer

Primary and secondary deviance.

Answer

Differential association.

Answer

Social control.

Question 29

The concept of 'cultural deviance' is central to which criminological theory?

Accepted Answer

Subcultural theory.

Answer

Conflict theory.

Answer

Routine activity theory.

Answer

Ecological theory.

Question 30

According to rational choice theory, why do offenders commit crimes?

Accepted Answer

They weigh the potential costs and benefits before acting.

Answer

They are driven by irrational impulses.

Answer

They are forced to commit crimes by their circumstances.

Answer

They are strongly influenced by family and peers.

Question 31

According to social disorganisation theory, crime is more likely to occur in areas with:

Accepted Answer

Low levels of social control.

Answer

High levels of social cohesion.

Answer

Well-established community institutions.

Answer

Strong family networks.

Question 32

Which assumption is fundamental to rational choice theory in criminology?

Accepted Answer

Criminals make decisions based on a rational assessment of risks and benefits.

Answer

Criminals are solely driven by financial gain.

Answer

Crime is primarily caused by external factors beyond individual control.

Question 33

Which of the following is considered a key concept in strain theory?

Accepted Answer

Anomie

Answer

Innovation

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Ritualism

Question 34

According to differential association theory, how is criminal behavior primarily learned?

Accepted Answer

Observing others engage in crime

Answer

Exposure to pro-criminal values

Answer

Lack of opportunity

Answer

Biological factors

Question 35

The central premise of broken windows theory is that:

Accepted Answer

Small acts of disorder can lead to more serious crimes

Answer

Neighborhoods with abandoned buildings are more prone to crime

Answer

Increased police presence deters crime

Answer

Crime rates are inevitable in urban areas

Question 36

What is the term that refers to the tendency for offenders to commit crimes again?

Accepted Answer

Recidivism

Answer

Rehabilitation

Answer

Deterrence

Answer

Incapacitation

Question 37

Which of the following is a primary goal of situational crime prevention?

Accepted Answer

Reducing opportunities for crime

Answer

Targeting high-risk individuals

Answer

Increasing the likelihood of apprehension

Answer

Rehabilitating offenders

Question 38

Which principle is NOT a central tenet of the classical school of criminology?

Accepted Answer

Social inequality

Answer

Free will and responsibility

Answer

Punishment as a deterrent

Answer

Rationality of offenders

Question 39

According to Merton's strain theory, what is the primary source of crime?

Accepted Answer

Economic disparities and blocked opportunities

Answer

Biological predispositions

Answer

Lack of social control

Answer

Exposure to deviant peers

Question 40

The central idea of labelling theory is that deviance:

Accepted Answer

Is a product of social interaction and labelling processes

Answer

Is a property inherent to certain behaviours

Answer

Caused by individual psychological traits

Answer

A sign of moral decay

Question 41

Which of the following is a core assumption of the rational choice theory?

Accepted Answer

Offenders weigh the costs and benefits of criminal acts

Answer

Crime is inevitable in all societies

Answer

Offenders are primarily motivated by greed

Answer

Social factors have no influence on criminal behaviour

Question 42

Which theory posits that crime is caused by a lack of opportunities and environmental factors?

Accepted Answer

Social disorganization theory

Answer

Social control theory

Answer

Routine activities theory

Answer

Differential association theory

Question 43

According to the general strain theory, what conditions increase the likelihood of criminal behavior?

Accepted Answer

High strain and low coping resources

Answer

Low strain and high coping resources

Answer

High strain and high coping resources

Answer

Low strain and low coping resources

Question 44

Rational Choice Theory suggests that individuals engage in criminal behavior when they perceive the benefits outweigh the risks. Which assumption underpins this theory?

Accepted Answer

Criminals are rational decision-makers

Answer

Crime is primarily driven by social and economic conditions

Answer

Individuals are inherently good and only commit crimes due to external pressures

Answer

The criminal justice system is ineffective in deterring crime

Question 45

Which component is NOT part of Social Control Theory?

Accepted Answer

Opportunity theory

Answer

Social bonds

Answer

Social learning

Answer

Cognitive self-control

Question 46

Differential Association Theory proposes that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others. Which concept is central to this theory?

Accepted Answer

Primary groups

Answer

Negative reinforcement

Answer

Social control

Answer

Victim precipitation

Question 47

Who is credited with developing the Routine Activities Theory?

Accepted Answer

Marcus Felson

Answer

Edwin Sutherland

Answer

Travis Hirschi

Answer

Robert Merton