Crime and Society Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the main argument made by Beccaria regarding the role of the sovereign in punishing crime?

Punishments should be as severe as possible to deter future crime.
The sovereign's right to punish crime is derived from the necessity of protecting public liberty. (correct)
The sovereign has the absolute right to punish crime without any limitations.
The sovereign should be able to decide whether an individual has violated the social compact.

According to Beccaria, what is the basis of the social contract?

The right of the sovereign to represent society.
The individual's obligation to obey the sovereign.
The mutual obligation between society and individuals. (correct)
The sovereign's power to enforce laws.

Why does Beccaria argue that a third party, a judge, is necessary in determining guilt or innocence?

To ensure that the sovereign's power is not abused.
To provide a fair and impartial judgment in a dispute. (correct)
To represent the interests of the accused.
To prevent anarchy by enforcing the law.

What principle does Beccaria advocate for in relation to punishments?

Punishments should be proportionate to the crime committed. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main implication of Beccaria's argument for the separation between the lawmakers and judges?

The judicial system should be independent from the legislative branch. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea behind the phrase 'police property'?

Certain societal issues are disproportionately placed upon the police to address. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does private security compare to law enforcement?

Private security has less authority but is often employed to do police work. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a public order offense, as mentioned in the text?

Trespassing on private property (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the text describe the common view of policing in Canada?

The public has become increasingly critical of police due to growing concerns about misconduct. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How is the concept of 'public order' linked to policing?

Public order is a broad concept that police are tasked with maintaining, even if it doesn't involve crime fighting. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key argument presented against viewing police solely as 'crime-fighters'?

The focus on crime fighting overlooks the uneven distribution of benefits and harms associated with policing. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an example of a group or situation often dealt with by the police according to the concept of 'police property'?

Individuals driving while intoxicated (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of the text regarding the relationship between policing and mental health?

Policing mental health is justified as a public safety measure, even if it involves individuals who have not committed a crime. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What core feature of police culture was described by Robert Reiner as being born out of a need to see through dishonesty to achieve the police mission?

Suspicion (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which group is most likely to be negatively impacted by zero tolerance policing?

The working class and racialized groups (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a common feature of police culture discussed in the text?

Emphasis on individualistic decision-making (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does police culture differ from other professions?

Police work involves a greater degree of separation from the larger society. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The text emphasizes the importance of ___ in understanding the development of policing.

Economic and industrial developments (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a consequence of zero tolerance policing?

Negative impacts on the poor and racialized groups (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why do police officers tend to socialize primarily with other officers?

Police officers' strong subculture and unconventional work hours limit interaction with non-police. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between the critical/conflict perspective of policing and traditional views?

Critical/conflict perspective sees policing as serving certain groups at the expense of others. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the establishment of the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP)?

To establish order and security in the North-West Territories and facilitate settlement. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'Great March' West in 1974 exemplify the NWMP's role?

It highlights the NWMP's dedication to enforcing laws and maintaining order in uncharted territories. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How did the evolution of policing in Canada contribute to the shift from walking the beat to patrol cars?

Increased reliance on advanced technology, such as radios, allowed for faster response times to calls. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes the relationship between municipal policing and territorial policing in late 1800s Canada?

Competitive: Both styles had different priorities and approaches, sometimes leading to conflict. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of traditional municipal policing in late 1800s Canada?

Centralized control by the federal government. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key shifts in the role of policing in Canada, as described in the text?

From a focus on policing morality and poverty to a focus on specialized services. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'Whig/liberal/consensus view' of policing differ from other potential perspectives?

It emphasizes the importance of individual rights and the protection of civil liberties. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How did the RCMP evolve after its inception?

It expanded its jurisdiction beyond rural areas and became responsible for national security. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of deviance?

Deviance involves the violation of a rule or regulation or law. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does Howard Becker's theory explain the concept of deviance?

Deviance is created through social processes of labeling and its application. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately reflects a key argument in the text about the nature of crime?

Crime is socially constructed, meaning its definition can change over time and across societies. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of social constructionism in understanding deviance and crime?

It highlights the processes through which social problems are defined and responded to. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the relationship between deviance and social control?

Social control can take various forms beyond legal sanctions, including social disapproval and shaming. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How is harm relevant in understanding deviance and crime?

Harm is an important consideration, but not the only factor that influences social definitions of deviance. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the example of the gift-giving ceremony illustrate?

The meaning of deviance and crime can change across cultures and time periods. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key takeaway from the text regarding the relationship between crime and deviance?

Deviance encompasses a broader spectrum of behavior, including acts that might not be criminal. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key criticism of the social learning theory, in relation to crime?

It overemphasizes the role of the media and its impact on individuals. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a way to measure crime, as discussed in the text?

Psychological assessments (D) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the 'second generation' UCR (UCR2) from the original UCR system?

It collects data on both victims and accused persons, using incident-based reporting. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a central tenet of the 'Positive School' approach to crime, as presented by Lombroso?

Offenders should be treated based on their individual characteristics. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the use of the 'Most Serious Offence' (MSO) classification in the UCR survey?

To streamline the data collection process by focusing on the most significant crime in each incident. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately reflects the text’s perspective on the media’s influence on crime rates?

The relationship between the media and crime is complex and nuanced, with the impact of media on violent behavior not always clear-cut. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of modern psychological explanations about crime?

They argue that criminals are not born but made through their interactions with the social environment. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant difference between classical criminological theories and Lombroso's 'Positive School'?

Classical theories emphasized punishment fitting the crime, while Lombroso advocated for punishment fitting the criminal. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (CCJS) in relation to crime data?

Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating crime data. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the difference between the perception of crime and the empirical reality of crime?

The perception of crime is largely influenced by the media, often exaggerating the actual extent of crime. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key aspect of the 'psychopathy' theory in relation to crime?

Psychopathic individuals lack empathy and remorse, making them more likely to engage in criminal activity. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a major limitation of relying solely on official crime statistics as a measure of crime?

They do not capture all crimes, as many go unreported. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR)' system in Canada?

It standardizes the collection and reporting of crime data across the country. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the treatment of 'born criminals' according to the 'Positive School'?

They should be given opportunities for rehabilitation and social reintegration. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason why criminology cannot solely rely on a single technique to understand crime?

Different techniques have different strengths and limitations. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely consequence of relying solely on police-reported crime statistics to understand crime in a community?

An underestimation of the actual crime rate. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Cesare Beccaria

An Italian philosopher known for his work on criminology and legal reform.

Proportionality in Punishment

Punishments should be proportionate to the crime committed.