Criminology Week 1: Classical vs Positivist

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Questions and Answers

What is a significant change that occurred in the perception of domestic violence and abuse in the 1970s?

It was first addressed by male activists.

Feminist activism brought it to public attention. (correct)

Legislation was established to punish offenders.

It was recognized as a public health issue.

Which definition of domestic violence and abuse encompasses various forms of abuse?

Only sexual abuse is recognized.

It focuses solely on emotional manipulation.

Only physical and emotional abuse are considered.

It includes physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse. (correct)

What was a major limitation of the Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1976?

It was gender-neutral and unintentionally caused confusion.

It was widely accepted by the public.

It provided too much funding for shelters.

Police discretion and sexist attitudes limited its impact. (correct)

What was a notable achievement in 1971 regarding the support for battered women?

The establishment of the first shelter for battered women in London. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How did the 2005 definition of domestic violence change the understanding of abuse?

It expanded the understanding to include all genders and relationships. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a hate crime according to the Association of Chief Police Officers?

A criminal offence perceived by the victim as motivated by prejudice (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological factor is NOT associated with prejudice in perpetrators of hate crimes?

High levels of empathy (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to Gerstenfeld, what is significant in the context of hate crimes?

The victims' group affiliation (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which academic perspective views hate crime as a social construct?

Jacobs and Potter 1998 (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does Perry (2001) describe hate crime as a mechanism of?

Power and oppression (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the significant motivations behind terrorism as defined by the Terrorism Act 2000?

Advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause (C) Signup and view all the answers

What are the four key differences between crime and terrorism according to Fussey and Richards?

Ideology, symbolism, process, and grievance (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which country topped the global terror index in 2023?

Burkina Faso (B) Signup and view all the answers

How many terrorist attacks occurred in Afghanistan in 2020, averaging nearly per day?

1,722 (D) Signup and view all the answers

What has contributed to the change in the nature and scale of terrorism?

Globalization, transportation, and communication (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a key difference between 'old' and 'new' terrorism?

'Old' terrorism usually avoided mass casualties and often provided warnings. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of deaths due to terrorism in 2017 occurred in the Middle East, Africa, or South Asia?

95% (D) Signup and view all the answers

Public concern about terrorism is notably high in many places. What percentage of people expressed concern about being a victim?

More than 50% (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the current UK threat level regarding terrorism?

Substantial (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of terrorism is characterized by a focus on national identity and self-determination?

Ethno-nationalist terrorism (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are CBRN weapons an acronym for?

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of terrorism mentioned?

Social upheaval terrorism (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the use of suicide attacks and vehicles as weapons indicate?

A change in the aims of terror attacks (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests that individuals weigh the costs and benefits before engaging in criminal activity?

Rational choice theory (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of terrorism, who can be considered a victim?

Both direct and indirect victims (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following individuals or groups aligns with religio-political terrorism?

Hamas, Palestine (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of 'personally connected' according to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021?

People in an intimate relationship, regardless of cohabitation. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups is specifically recognized as potential victims of domestic abuse?

Children under 18 who witness abuse. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does research indicate about children who witness domestic violence?

They may develop cognitive and emotional issues. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe violence from adolescents towards parents?

Adolescent to parent violence and abuse (APVA). (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to the Home Office gender-neutral definition, which of the following is correct?

It applies to adults regardless of gender or sexuality. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What long-term outcomes are linked to children exposed to domestic abuse?

Mental and physical health issues. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about intimate partner violence (IPV) is true?

It encompasses both current and former spouses and partners. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a misconception regarding the gender of abusers in domestic violence cases?

Abusers can be either gender. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'contagion effect' refer to in the context of terrorism?

Copying successful tactics observed in other terrorist activities. (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to game theory, what factor significantly influences terrorist decision-making?

Predictions about the actions of governments. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What psychological traits have been proposed by Piven as not fully explainable by political injustice?

Low self-esteem and lack of empathy. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What theory suggests that terrorists often see themselves as heroes working for the benefit of others?

Social-psychological approaches. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to sociological research, which of the following is a significant factor in the emergence of terrorism?

Anomie due to rapid social change. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does Nassar argue regarding expectations and achievements in relation to terrorism?

A gap between expectations and achievements can breed terrorism. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a category of hate crimes?

Class-based crimes. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the relationship between terrorists and governments within game theory?

It treats actions as interdependent and involves strategic learning. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What misconception does Demause's analysis on terrorist backgrounds often imply?

A history of abuse is common among male terrorists. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a key idea in the social-psychological approach to terrorism?

Shared identity and radicalization are significant factors in terrorist behavior. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Week 1: Classical and Positivist Criminology

Classical criminology focused on the offense, assuming criminals are rational actors.
Beccaria (1764) and Bentham (1789) advocated for utilitarian thinking and proportional punishment to deter crime.
Positivist criminology focused on the offender, viewing criminal behavior as determined by factors.
Lombroso (1876) and Ferri (1917) proposed that offenders have pathological traits.

Biological and Psychological Positivism

Biological positivism explored physiological, genetic, biochemical, and nutritional factors that may play a role in criminal behavior.
Genetic factors, such as feeblemindedness, twin studies, and adoption studies, were investigated.
Biochemical factors considered hormones, the autonomic nervous system, and nutrition.
Psychological theories, such as psychoanalysis (Freud, Bowlby), learning theories (Sutherland, Skinner, Bandura), and cognitive development (Yochelson & Samenow, Piaget), were considered.

Anomie and Strain (Sociological Positivism)

Durkheim studied social change and social solidarity, noting a shift from mechanical to organic solidarity.
Crime is a normal part of society, and its condemnation plays a functional role.
Individuals experience strain when there isn't a match between socially desirable goals and the means of achieving those goals.

Chicago School and Subcultures

The Chicago School emphasized social and cultural change (immigration, industrialization) and its impact on crime.
Shaw and McKay studied the spatial distribution of crime, noting higher rates in "zones of transition."
Cultural transmission of values, leading to subcultural values, was presented as a factor.

Interactionism and Labeling

Interactionism focused on how the response to crime and deviance shapes the individuals involved.
Primary deviance refers to committing a prohibited act, while secondary deviance is the result of a reaction to that act.
Outsiders and deviance were studied through the construction of rules and labels
Emphasis is on how labeling someone or a group as deviant reinforces the perceived identity

Realist Criminology: Left and Right Realism

Left Realism focused on crime as perceived by victims, acknowledging relative deprivation and marginalization.
Right Realism stressed crime as seen by official stats, focusing on individual pathology and self-control as causal factors

Contemporary Classicism

Rational Choice theory suggests that offenders are rational actors weighing the costs and benefits of their actions.
Routine Activities theory examines the interaction of motivated offenders, suitable targets, and the absence of capable guardians as factors in crime.

Feminist Criminology

Acknowledges the historical marginalization of women in criminology.
Highlights the impact of social control on women and the need for more equitable social relations.
Focuses on gendered aspects of crime.
Understands sexual violence as a gendered phenomenon, including sexual violence within relationships, partnerships, and gender-related norms.

Sexual Violence

Sexual violence includes rape, sexual assault, abuse, exploitation, trafficking, forced marriage, and other forms of violence.
The legal definition varies by time and place.
UK's sexual offenses act 2003 defines offences related to sexual activity, including with those under the age of 16.

Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

Child sexual abuse (CSA) means forcing or enticing a child into sexual activity.
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) involves exploiting a child for sexual gratification in exchange for something.

Prevalence of Sexual Violence and Offenses

There are diverse groups of offenders, ranging in age, with many offenders known to the victim.
There are differences in experiences based on victim and offender demographics, which should be considered.
Studies indicated that girls are more likely to experience sexual violence.
Existing laws and data have captured some of these behaviors.

Incapacitated Assault/Rape

The act of sexual assault that occurs occurs when a person is incapacitated due to drugs or alcohol.
Consent, according to the law, is impossible.

Property Crime

The majority of crime in society originates from illegal property acquisition.
Burglary, theft, car theft, and robbery are common types of property crime.
Common victims include the unemployed, lower income earners, and vulnerable people.
Police records estimate property crime rates, but these are not always comprehensive.

Victim Impact and Repeat Victimisation

Victims of crime experience emotional and behavioral impacts.
Socio-economic factors increase the likelihood of property crimes, influencing repeat victimisation.
Repeat victims often live in high-crime areas.
Higher risk groups are vulnerable to repeat victimisation

Situational Crime Prevention

Aims to reduce opportunities for criminal acts by hardening targets, deterring offenders, and increasing the risk of detection.
Targeted crime prevention strategies often focus on specific areas, demographics, or types of crime.
Examples of these methods include removing targets from crime scenes, and strengthening security.

Drugs and Crime

The misuse of drugs can lead to a cascade of social and psychological problems, including addiction and criminal activities.
Legislation and policy regarding drug use are complex.

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Description

This quiz explores the foundational concepts of classical and positivist criminology. It examines key theorists like Beccaria, Bentham, Lombroso, and Ferri, and discusses the biological and psychological factors influencing criminal behavior. Test your understanding of these crucial criminological theories and their implications.