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Questions and Answers
How long would it take 100 machines to make 100 widgets?
How long would it take 100 machines to make 100 widgets?
If a patch of lily pads doubles in size every day and covers the lake in 48 days, how long does it take to cover half the lake?
If a patch of lily pads doubles in size every day and covers the lake in 48 days, how long does it take to cover half the lake?
What is meant by marginal utility in the context of consumption?
What is meant by marginal utility in the context of consumption?
Which type of research focuses on crime prediction using aggregate punishment data?
Which type of research focuses on crime prediction using aggregate punishment data?
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Why might experience with the criminal justice system be considered criminogenic?
Why might experience with the criminal justice system be considered criminogenic?
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Which concept relates to the notion that the quality of choices varies based on one's social position?
Which concept relates to the notion that the quality of choices varies based on one's social position?
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What does the term 'certainty' in crime deterrence refer to?
What does the term 'certainty' in crime deterrence refer to?
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What effect does the actual threat of punishment have on crime rates?
What effect does the actual threat of punishment have on crime rates?
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What is the main idea behind Rational Choice Theory?
What is the main idea behind Rational Choice Theory?
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According to Rational Choice Theory, what must occur for crime to be committed?
According to Rational Choice Theory, what must occur for crime to be committed?
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Which of the following best describes Bentham's view on human behavior?
Which of the following best describes Bentham's view on human behavior?
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What does the principle of 'Transitivity' in Rational Choice Theory imply?
What does the principle of 'Transitivity' in Rational Choice Theory imply?
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What is the primary reason people fail to make good decisions according to the content?
What is the primary reason people fail to make good decisions according to the content?
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What does the concept of 'anchoring' refer to in decision-making?
What does the concept of 'anchoring' refer to in decision-making?
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What are the key elements of effective punishment in the context of Rational Choice Theory?
What are the key elements of effective punishment in the context of Rational Choice Theory?
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What is a major critique of Rational Choice Theory?
What is a major critique of Rational Choice Theory?
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Which of the following best describes the difference between objective and subjective punishment levels?
Which of the following best describes the difference between objective and subjective punishment levels?
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How do people generally perceive ambiguity according to the content?
How do people generally perceive ambiguity according to the content?
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Which statement best reflects the concept of utility in this context?
Which statement best reflects the concept of utility in this context?
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What is the role of morality in decision-making as described in the content?
What is the role of morality in decision-making as described in the content?
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In the principles of Rational Choice Theory, how is human free will interpreted?
In the principles of Rational Choice Theory, how is human free will interpreted?
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What aspect of individual behavior do rational theories often neglect?
What aspect of individual behavior do rational theories often neglect?
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What conclusion can be drawn about policy focus in relation to crime costs?
What conclusion can be drawn about policy focus in relation to crime costs?
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What is the correct cost of the ball if a bat and ball together cost $1.10, and the bat costs $1.00 more than the ball?
What is the correct cost of the ball if a bat and ball together cost $1.10, and the bat costs $1.00 more than the ball?
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What is the primary factor that influences deterrent behavior according to the certainty principle?
What is the primary factor that influences deterrent behavior according to the certainty principle?
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What does the sanction paradox suggest about the effectiveness of actual punishment?
What does the sanction paradox suggest about the effectiveness of actual punishment?
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Why is it important for people to be aware of certain laws for deterrent effects to be achieved?
Why is it important for people to be aware of certain laws for deterrent effects to be achieved?
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Which type of sanction may be more influential on behavior than formal sanctions?
Which type of sanction may be more influential on behavior than formal sanctions?
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What role do cognitive judgments play in deterrent theories according to the content?
What role do cognitive judgments play in deterrent theories according to the content?
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What does the visibility of police presence affect regarding driver behavior?
What does the visibility of police presence affect regarding driver behavior?
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What is one way to measure the severity of punishment discussed in the content?
What is one way to measure the severity of punishment discussed in the content?
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How do heuristic signs of threat influence people's perceptions?
How do heuristic signs of threat influence people's perceptions?
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Study Notes
Classical Criminology and Rational Choice Theory
- Classical criminology and rational choice theories emerged from Beccaria and utilitarianism.
- These theories focus on how the world is, including human behaviour, not how it should be.
- Humans are hedonistic, meaning they seek pleasure and avoid pain.
Rational Choice Theory
- Humans are rational actors who use instrumental reasoning to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.
- They consider the costs and benefits of actions before making a decision.
- Utility is the balance of pleasure over pain. Jeremy Bentham stated that humans are governed by pleasure and pain.
- Rationality in divorce stems from the idea that humans are free individuals capable of making their own choices, and crimes occur when individuals believe the benefits of committing a crime outweigh the costs.
Critiquing Rational Choice Theory
- This theory assumes that individuals are rational actors and calculate the risks and benefits involved in actions, which may not be the case in many instances.
- Research shows that a substantial number of individuals do not consider the risk of getting caught before committing crimes.
- Individuals' likelihood of being apprehended, and the potential punishment, are not consistently considered before criminal acts are committed. This is demonstrated in criminal behaviour analysis surveys.
- There are important variables that have been ignored in rational choice theory, like individual differences and potentially competing causal factors.
Key Dimensions of Punishment
- Punishment must be swift, certain, and severe enough for potential criminals to perceive the cost outweighing the benefits of committing crimes.
- This is to ensure that the cost of crime outweighs the benefits of committing a crime.
- Perceptual deterrence requires punishment to affect the criminal's perception and avoid perceived injustices.
Additional Considerations
- Emotional reactions of individuals can not be predicted by deterrence theory alone due to individual difference.
- The theory does not account for the fact that the effectiveness of punishment varies depending on the individual and the specific context.
- The role of morality, social utility, individual emotional differences and competing causal factors are not prominently addressed.
Rational Choice and Life Chances
- Rational choice theory posits that people are equally free to make choices.
- The quality of choices is influenced by an individual's social position (e.g., socioeconomic status, education, etc.).
- The concept of marginal utility suggests that the perceived value of additional units of consumption decreases as the total amount increases.
Cognitive Judgements vs. Emotions
- Individuals' emotional responses are not necessarily predictable or uniform based on deterrence theory and research.
- The theory's focus on rationality may ignore the complex interplay of cognitive processes and emotional responses.
- Deterrence theory is more effective with clear perception of penalty severity and certainty.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of classical criminology and rational choice theory as defined by Beccaria and Bentham. This quiz delves into human behavior, the pursuit of pleasure, and the rationality behind decision-making in a criminal context. Test your understanding of how these theories explain crime and punishment.
