Criminological Theories Timeline

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Questions and Answers

Match each criminological theory with its core concept:

Classical Theory = Crime results from a rational decision-making process where individuals weigh costs and benefits. Positivist Theory = Criminal behavior is determined by biological, psychological, and social factors, not free will. Social Disorganization Theory = Crime is more likely in communities with weak social ties and the absence of social control. Strain Theory = Crime occurs when individuals cannot achieve societal goals through legitimate means, leading to deviant behavior.

Match the theorist with their corresponding criminological theory:

Cesare Beccaria = Classical Theory Cesare Lombroso = Positivist Theory Robert Merton = Strain Theory Edwin Sutherland = Differential Association Theory

Match each theory with its primary focus regarding criminal behavior:

Labeling Theory = How society's reaction to crime and applying labels can influence an individual’s future behavior. Routine Activities Theory = How the convergence of motivated offenders, suitable targets, and the absence of capable guardians leads to crime. Social Control Theory = How an individual’s bonds to society prevent them from committing crime. General Strain Theory = How negative relationships and experiences can lead to anger and frustration, increasing the likelihood of crime.

Match the following theories with the community or societal conditions that they emphasize:

Social Disorganization Theory = Unstable communities with weak social institutions and lack of collective efficacy contribute to higher crime rates. Strain Theory = Societal pressure to achieve goals without equal access to legitimate means leads to crime. Social Control Theory = Weak social bonds and a lack of attachment to conventional society facilitate deviant behavior. Labeling Theory = The application of labels by society can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies and further deviance. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following theories based on their explanation of why certain individuals engage in criminal behavior

Classical Theory = Individuals engage in crime as a result of a cost-benefit analysis and rational choice. Differential Association Theory = Individuals learn criminal behavior through interactions with others, particularly intimate personal groups. General Strain Theory = Individuals engage in crime as a response to negative emotions caused by strains or stressors. Routine Activities Theory = Individuals engage in crime due to the availability of suitable targets and the absence of capable guardians. Signup and view all the answers

Match the theory with its most relevant policy implication for reducing crime:

Social Disorganization Theory = Investing in community development programs to strengthen social institutions and collective efficacy. Strain Theory = Expanding educational and employment opportunities to reduce the gap between goals and legitimate means. Social Control Theory = Strengthening family bonds and promoting prosocial activities for youth to increase attachment to society. Routine Activities Theory = Enhancing security measures and guardianship to reduce opportunities for crime. Signup and view all the answers

Match the description with the appropriate criminological theory:

Focuses on the role of power and inequality in the creation and enforcement of laws = Critical Criminology Explains criminal behavior as a learned process through interaction with others = Differential Association Theory Argues that crime is a result of the breakdown of social bonds and institutions = Social Disorganization Theory Posits that crime occurs when there is a convergence of motivated offenders, suitable targets, and lack of capable guardians = Routine Activities Theory Signup and view all the answers

Match the following criminological theories to their perspective on human nature:

Classical Theory = Assumes individuals are rational actors who weigh costs and benefits before committing crime. Positivist Theory = Sees human behavior as determined by internal and external factors, reducing the role of free will. Social Control Theory = Views individuals as naturally inclined to deviance but restrained by social bonds. Strain Theory = Understands individuals as generally law-abiding but driven to crime by social pressures and blocked opportunities. Signup and view all the answers

Match each criminological theory with the level of analysis it primarily addresses:

Classical Theory = Individual decision-making. Social Disorganization Theory = Community and neighborhood level. Strain Theory = Societal level pressures and individual adaptations. Differential Association Theory = Interpersonal interactions and group dynamics. Signup and view all the answers

Match the concept to the correct criminological theory.

Free Will = Classical Theory Anomie = Strain Theory Social Bonds = Social Control Theory Differential Association = Social Learning Theory Signup and view all the answers

Match the focus with the associated theory.

Biological Factors = Positivist Theory Rational Choice = Classical Theory Learning Processes = Differential Association Theory Lack of opportunity = Strain Theory Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts to the criminological theory where they are most relevant:

Hedonistic Calculus = Classical Theory Collective Efficacy = Social Disorganization Theory Cognitive Adaptations = General Strain Theory Suitable Targets = Routine Activity Theory Signup and view all the answers

Match the time period with a theory that was prominent at that time.

Late 18th Century = Classical Theory Late 19th Century = Positivist Theory Early 20th Century = Social Disorganization Theory Mid 20th Century = Differential Association Theory Signup and view all the answers

Match the scenario with the best-fitting criminological theory:

A teenager joins a gang after moving to a neighborhood with high crime rates and weakened social ties. = Social Disorganization Theory An individual commits fraud because they feel they cannot achieve financial success through legitimate means. = Strain Theory A person decides to rob a bank after carefully calculating the potential gains versus the risk of getting caught. = Classical Theory A young adult shoplifts because they learn from their friends that it is acceptable and even rewarding. = Differential Association Theory Signup and view all the answers

Match each theory to a scenario that illustrates how it explains criminal behavior:

Classical Theory = Increased police presence in a high-crime area deters individuals from committing crimes due to the increased certainty of punishment. Strain Theory = A lack of job opportunities and economic inequality leads to increased property crime among marginalized communities. Differential Association Theory = A child growing up in a household where criminal behavior is normalized is more likely to engage in criminal activities themselves. Routine Activities Theory = An increase in unlocked vehicles on city streets leads to a rise in thefts from cars. Signup and view all the answers

Match the element with the theory with which they are associated:

Rewards and punishments = Classical Theory Cultural goals and institutionalized means = Strain Theory Definitions favorable or unfavorable to crime = Differential Association Theory Motivated offenders, suitable targets, and absence of capable guardians = Routine Activity Theory Signup and view all the answers

Match each policy with the theory on which it is based.

Target hardening = Routine Activity Theory Reintegrative shaming = Labeling Theory Skills training = Strain Theory Parenting classes = Social Control Theory Signup and view all the answers

Match the level of explanation with the criminology theory:

Individual = Routine activity theory Micro = Social Learning Theory Meso = Social Disorganization Macro = Strain Theory Signup and view all the answers

Match the theorist with the criminological theory for which they are best known:

Cesare Beccaria = The Classical School Edwin Sutherland = Differential Association Theory Robert Merton = Strain Theory Travis Hirschi = Social Control Theory Signup and view all the answers

Match the theory to a key characteristic.

Positivist Theory = Uses scientific methods to study crime Classical Theory = Based on free will and rational choice Strain Theory = Focuses on societal pressures and lack of opportunity Differential Association Theory = Emphasizes learning criminal behavior with others Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Classical Theory Key Explanation

Crime is the result of free will and rational choice, where people weigh costs versus benefits.

Positivist Theory Key Explanation

Criminal behavior is determined by biological and psychological factors.