Criminal Behaviour: Psychology, Theories, and Risk Assessment

Question 1

The concept of 'risk' in criminal behaviour assessment refers to:

Accepted Answer

Both likelihood and severity of future harmful behaviour

Answer

The likelihood of future harmful behaviour

Answer

The potential severity of future harmful behaviour

Answer

Neither likelihood nor severity of future harmful behaviour

Question 2

The 'labelling theory' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Societal reactions can create and reinforce criminal identities

Answer

Criminal behaviour is a form of political protest

Answer

Individuals are born with a predisposition to deviance

Answer

Deviance is learned through interaction with others

Question 3

The desistance perspective on crime suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Individuals can change and stop offending

Answer

Criminal behaviour is a lifelong condition

Answer

Offending is solely a product of social and economic conditions

Answer

Criminal behaviour is caused by a lack of moral development

Question 4

Which of the following is **NOT** a key risk factor for criminal offending?

Accepted Answer

High self-esteem

Answer

Childhood trauma

Answer

Antisocial peers

Answer

Low socioeconomic status

Question 5

According to the Lombrosian theory of crime, criminals are thought to:

Accepted Answer

Be born with biological traits that predispose them to crime

Answer

Be created by their social environment

Answer

Be driven by psychological disorders

Answer

Be victims of circumstance

Question 6

Which therapeutic approach aims to modify an offender's thoughts and beliefs, challenging their distorted perceptions and promoting positive thinking?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioural therapy

Answer

Psychodynamic therapy

Answer

Humanistic therapy

Answer

Biomedical therapy

Question 7

What is the primary focus of victimology?

Accepted Answer

The study of crime victims and their experiences

Answer

The study of criminal offenders and their motivations

Answer

The study of crime prevention strategies

Answer

The study of criminal justice policies

Question 8

A fundamental principle of the 'risk-need-responsivity' model in offender management is that:

Accepted Answer

Interventions should be tailored to the individual needs of offenders

Answer

Interventions should be targeted specifically at high-risk offenders

Answer

Interventions should be delivered in a coercive and punitive manner

Answer

Interventions should focus solely on punishment rather than rehabilitation

Question 9

The 'broken windows' theory suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Neighbourhoods with visible signs of physical disorder, such as broken windows or graffiti, are more prone to crime

Answer

Neighbourhoods with strong community bonds and social cohesion are more likely to experience crime

Answer

Neighbourhoods with high levels of poverty and economic deprivation are more likely to have higher crime rates

Answer

Neighbourhoods with a heavy police presence are more likely to be crime-ridden

Question 10

The concept of 'labelling theory' in criminology posits that:

Accepted Answer

Society's reactions to individuals can influence or even create criminal behaviour

Answer

Criminals are innately different from non-criminals

Answer

Crime is a logical choice made by individuals based on rational calculations of costs and benefits

Answer

Economic factors are the primary drivers of criminal behaviour

Question 11

The ethical principle of 'autonomy' in criminal justice settings:

Accepted Answer

Requires that individuals be treated with respect and dignity, valuing their self-determination

Answer

Allows for the use of coercion and force in certain situations to ensure public safety

Answer

Prohibits the use of any form of punishment, regardless of the severity of the crime

Answer

Ensures that offenders have the right to vote and participate in political processes

Question 12

Which factor is NOT associated with an increased risk of criminal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Possessing above-average intelligence

Answer

Experiencing parental neglect

Answer

Growing up in a low socioeconomic environment

Answer

Having a history of being victimized

Question 13

Which psychological theory emphasizes the role of self-control in criminal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Control Theory

Answer

General Deterrence Theory

Answer

Social Learning Theory

Answer

Strain Theory

Question 14

What is the primary goal of offender rehabilitation?

Accepted Answer

To reduce the likelihood of re-offending and promote positive behavior

Answer

To punish offenders and deter future crime

Answer

To provide mental health treatment to offenders

Answer

To compensate victims for their losses

Question 15

What is the fundamental distinction between general and specific deterrence?

Accepted Answer

General deterrence aims to prevent crime in the population, while specific deterrence focuses on individual offenders.

Answer

Specific deterrence aims to prevent crime in the population, while general deterrence focuses on individual offenders.

Answer

General deterrence relies on swift and severe punishment, while specific deterrence relies on the threat of punishment.

Answer

Specific deterrence is more effective than general deterrence in preventing crime.

Question 16

What does the ethical principle of non-maleficence emphasize in criminal justice?

Accepted Answer

The obligation to avoid causing harm

Answer

The right to a fair trial

Answer

The presumption of innocence

Answer

The right to privacy

Question 17

Which research method is most suitable for investigating the long-term outcomes of offender rehabilitation programs?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal study

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Cross-sectional study

Answer

Case study

Question 18

Which core principle underpins cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for offenders?

Accepted Answer

Challenging and changing distorted thinking patterns

Answer

Focusing mainly on the offender's past experiences

Answer

Using medication as the main treatment method

Answer

Punishing the offender for their wrongdoings

Question 19

According to the psychodynamic perspective, criminal behaviour is primarily attributed to:

Accepted Answer

Unresolved conflicts within the unconscious mind

Answer

Genetic predisposition inherited from parents

Answer

Exposure to a dysfunctional and abusive family environment

Answer

Underlying neurological abnormalities in the brain

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT considered a contributing factor to criminal behaviour, as per social learning theory?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Observing criminal behaviour in others

Answer

Exposure to violence and abuse in childhood

Answer

Receiving reinforcement or rewards for criminal actions

Question 21

The Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) is primarily utilized for assessing:

Accepted Answer

The likelihood of violent criminal behaviour in an individual

Answer

The cognitive abilities and intellectual functioning of an individual

Answer

The presence of specific mental health disorders in an individual

Answer

The personality characteristics of an individual

Question 22

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of effective offender rehabilitation programs?

Accepted Answer

Addressing factors that contribute to criminal behaviour

Answer

Focusing solely on punishing the offender for their actions

Answer

Relying primarily on threats of punishment as a deterrent

Answer

Denying offenders access to education and employment opportunities

Question 23

The theory of differential association suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Criminal behaviour is acquired through social interactions and learning from others

Answer

Criminals possess inherent biological or psychological differences that set them apart from non-criminals

Answer

Environmental factors alone are sufficient to determine criminal behaviour

Answer

Genetic factors play the primary role in predisposing individuals to criminal behaviour

Question 24

A defining characteristic of psychopathic personality disorder is:

Accepted Answer

A profound lack of empathy for others

Answer

Excessive feelings of guilt and remorse

Answer

Anxious and insecure attachment styles

Answer

Unusually low self-esteem

Question 25

In the context of criminal thinking, 'cognitive distortions' refer to:

Accepted Answer

Irrational or biased thought patterns that contribute to criminal behaviour

Answer

Neurological impairments that impair decision-making abilities

Answer

Traumatic experiences that lead to aggressive behaviour

Answer

Genetic mutations that increase the likelihood of violence

Question 26

The term 'recidivism' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The repetition or relapse of criminal behaviour by an offender

Answer

The process of evaluating the risk of future criminal behaviour

Answer

The psychological treatment provided to offenders

Answer

The social support offered to offenders upon release from prison

Question 27

Which of the following is **NOT** considered a major risk factor for criminal behavior, according to commonly accepted psychological theories?

Accepted Answer

High self-esteem

Answer

Childhood abuse

Answer

Low intelligence

Answer

Substance abuse

Question 28

Addressing distorted thinking patterns is a key principle of which type of therapy for offender rehabilitation?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Answer

Psychodynamic therapy

Answer

Humanistic therapy

Answer

Existential therapy

Question 29

Rational choice theory suggests that individuals engage in criminal behavior primarily because they:

Accepted Answer

Believe the benefits outweigh the risks

Answer

Have no control over their actions

Answer

Have a desire for revenge

Answer

Are mentally ill

Question 30

Social learning theory posits that criminal behavior is:

Accepted Answer

Learned through observation and reinforcement

Answer

Innate and cannot be changed

Answer

Caused by a single traumatic event

Answer

Exclusively a result of genetic factors

Question 31

The concept of 'desistance' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The cessation or reduction of criminal behavior

Answer

The increase in criminal behavior frequency

Answer

The absence of criminal behavior throughout an individual's lifetime

Answer

The severity of criminal behavior

Question 32

Labelling theory suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Criminal behavior is a product of societal reactions

Answer

Criminal behavior is inherently caused by psychological factors

Answer

Criminal behavior is inevitable for certain individuals

Answer

Criminal behavior is a rational choice

Question 33

What is the primary aim of risk assessment in the context of criminal behaviour?

Accepted Answer

To predict future offending behaviour

Answer

To identify appropriate treatment interventions

Answer

To determine the severity of a crime

Answer

To establish guilt or innocence

Question 34

What is the main purpose of offender rehabilitation programmes?

Accepted Answer

To reduce the likelihood of re-offending

Answer

To punish offenders for their crimes

Answer

To provide support and guidance to victims

Answer

To isolate offenders from society

Question 35

In criminal justice, what is a fundamental principle of victim-centered approaches?

Accepted Answer

Prioritizing victims' needs

Answer

Treating victims as criminals

Answer

Punishing criminals severely

Answer

Showing leniency to criminals

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT a crucial factor in assessing the risk of reoffending?

Accepted Answer

Level of education

Answer

Prior criminal convictions

Answer

Mental health conditions

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a factor explicitly considered in the SARA model for risk assessment of criminal behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Personal desire for rehabilitation

Answer

Static factors

Answer

Dynamic factors

Answer

Protective factors

Question 38

Which of the following is NOT a key assumption of the Rational Choice Theory of criminal behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Criminal behaviour is primarily the result of uncontrollable, impulsive urges.

Answer

Individuals make decisions based on a rational assessment of the costs and benefits.

Answer

Individuals have the ability to make free choices, uninfluenced by external factors.

Answer

The decision to commit a crime is solely influenced by social and economic conditions.

Question 39

The Harm Avoidance Model suggests that individuals who score high on harm avoidance are more likely to engage in criminal behavior because they tend to:

Accepted Answer

Experience higher levels of anxiety and fear of punishment.

Answer

Are more likely to exhibit antisocial personality traits.

Answer

Have high levels of empathy and concern for others.

Answer

Are less impulsive and thrill-seeking.

Question 40

Which of the following risk assessment tools is specifically designed to predict the likelihood of reoffending in criminal offenders?

Accepted Answer

HCR-20

Answer

MMPI-2

Answer

Beck Depression Inventory

Answer

WAIS-IV

Question 41

The concept of 'latent inhibition' refers to the ability to:

Accepted Answer

Filter out irrelevant stimuli and focus on relevant information.

Answer

Enhance attention to novel and unexpected stimuli.

Answer

Recall information more accurately and effectively.

Answer

Suppress impulsive behaviors and control urges.

Question 42

What is the primary objective of offender rehabilitation programs?

Accepted Answer

To reduce recidivism and encourage pro-social behaviors.

Answer

To punish offenders and deter future criminal behavior.

Answer

To diagnose and treat underlying mental health issues.

Question 43

Which of the following is a central principle of the 'Good Lives Model' in offender rehabilitation?

Accepted Answer

Promoting personal growth and enhancing overall well-being.

Answer

Using strict punishment and negative reinforcement to discourage crime.

Answer

Prioritizing cognitive interventions and problem-solving skills.

Question 44

Which fundamental assumption underlies the rational choice theory of crime?

Accepted Answer

Criminals rationally weigh potential rewards and consequences before committing crimes.

Answer

Criminals are inherently evil and incapable of rehabilitation.

Answer

Crime arises exclusively from systemic inequality and poverty.

Question 45

What is the primary objective of risk assessment in the criminal justice system?

Accepted Answer

Predicting the likelihood of an offender committing future crimes.

Answer

Identifying the underlying causes of criminal behavior.

Answer

Establishing appropriate sentencing for offenders.

Question 46

Which factor has been empirically linked to an increased risk of reoffending?

Accepted Answer

A history characterized by antisocial behavior.

Answer

Stable employment.

Answer

Educational attainment.

Answer

Marital status.

Question 47

What is the overarching goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for offenders?

Accepted Answer

Assisting offenders in recognizing and modifying criminogenic thought patterns.

Answer

Providing offenders with stress management techniques.

Answer

Enhancing offenders' self-esteem.

Question 48

Identify a potential ethical concern associated with offender profiling.

Accepted Answer

The possibility of falsely identifying suspects.

Answer

The need for extensive training and expertise.

Answer

The time-consuming and costly nature of profiling.

Question 49

What is the primary purpose of the insanity defense?

Accepted Answer

To exempt individuals with severe mental disorders from criminal responsibility for their actions.

Answer

To allow defendants to avoid punishment for their crimes.

Question 50

What is the key distinction between white-collar and blue-collar crime?

Accepted Answer

White-collar crimes are typically committed by individuals in positions of power or trust, while blue-collar crimes are more commonly committed by individuals in working-class occupations.

Answer

White-collar crimes are inherently more severe than blue-collar crimes.