Forensic Psychology and Delinquency Quiz

The study of criminal behavior using psychological theories to understand why individuals commit crimes and find ways to alter their behavior.

Applying psychological knowledge to the legal system including police, parole, victims, and other aspects of the criminal justice system.

The process by which individuals stop engaging in criminal behavior. This refers to a change in their criminal behavior, leading towards a crime-free life.

Profiling is used to analyze a crime scene and its surrounding details to predict the personality, habits, and characteristics of the offender.

The application of anthropology to legal investigations, often focusing on studying human remains in advanced decomposition states to help identify deceased individuals.

This definition emphasizes that for an act or an actor to be considered criminal, there needs to be a societal consensus or perception that it is deviant and violates norms.

This definition centers on the individual who engages in a persistent pattern of criminal activity, with their life and identity revolving around deviant behavior.

An expert in ballistics who collects and examines evidence related to firearms and ammunition.

A family structure where parents are not together, such as through divorce or separation, due to factors like conflict, lack of support, or financial issues.

The act of breaking up a family, which leads to disruptions and difficulties for children.

Frequent changes in living arrangements and caregivers, which negatively impact children's adjustment and increase delinquency.

Parental warmth and affection are crucial for adolescents' well-being and positive adjustment, leading to better behavior.

A parenting style characterized by hostility and aggression, which negatively impacts children's development and increases delinquency.

A theory emphasizing that individuals with strong social bonds to family and community are less likely to engage in delinquent behavior.

The ability of families to maintain a sense of stability and structure through routine activities, events and traditions.

The transmission of delinquent behavior across generations, where family members learn and model antisocial behaviors.

Actions that benefit the perpetrator but harm others, often violating social norms.

A social construct that varies across cultures and time, with different levels of tolerance and acceptance.

The difference between how often someone engages in criminal behavior and the number of crimes they commit each time.

Crimes that are not reported to authorities, including the vast majority of offenses.

A survey that collects information on crime victimizations, providing insights into reported and unreported crimes.

The study of how geographic factors influence crime rates, including variations across neighborhoods and cities.

A theory that suggests children from broken homes (due to divorce, separation, etc.) are more likely to engage in criminal behavior. However, research emphasizes family dynamics, relationships, and social factors.

Family structure refers to the composition of the family (e.g., single parent, divorced parents, etc.) while family functioning refers to the quality of interactions within the family (e.g., communication, support).

A theory arguing that criminal behavior is influenced by an individual's personality traits and predispositions. This approach focuses on understanding how individual characteristics like impulsivity, aggression, or lack of empathy contribute to criminal tendencies.

Explains criminal behavior through the internal conflicts and unconscious motivations of the individual. It suggests that childhood experiences and unresolved psychological issues can lead to criminal tendencies.

A theory suggesting that early childhood experiences and attachment styles can influence the development of a criminal personality. It highlights the role of secure and insecure attachments in shaping individuals' behavior.

A social cognitive process involving the mental operations used to understand, interpret, and respond to social situations. It encompasses how people perceive others, decode social cues, form judgments, and make decisions in social settings.

Cognitive biases or errors in thinking that endorse criminal behavior by justifying or rationalizing actions. These distorted thinking patterns allow individuals to defend their actions and avoid taking responsibility.

A theory explaining how rationalization techniques are used by individuals to neutralize or justify their criminal actions, allowing them to break free from the constraints of societal norms and moral values.

A theory focusing on identifying the specific thinking patterns and cognitive characteristics that contribute to criminal behavior. It proposes that criminals have a unique way of thinking and reasoning that distinguishes them from non-criminals.

A theory that highlights the role of criminal lifestyle and the specific factors that contribute to it. It explores how individuals develop and maintain a criminal lifestyle through various elements like personal values, beliefs, and associated groups.

The process by which individuals are shaped and transformed by the environments in which they live, particularly within institutions. It's essentially how the environment shapes individuals' behaviour, values, and identity.

A theory focusing on the social reaction to crime and the labeling of individuals as criminals. It argues that labeling someone as a criminal can increase the likelihood of that person engaging in further criminal behavior.

Sykes' term to describe how inmates create a social structure within prison to adapt to the harsh conditions and maintain a sense of order. This includes roles, norms, and hierarchies that develop amongst inmates.

A closed social system where individuals live and work, isolated from broader society, under strict rules and centralized authority. Think of places like prisons, military bases, and mental hospitals.

The psychological impacts of incarceration on individuals. It can lead to increased anxiety, depression, emotional instability, and difficulty adjusting to life outside prison.

A key element of total institutions, where individuals are stripped of their personal identity and subjected to a standardized routine, diminishing their individuality and personal sense of self.

The process of reintegrating into society after release from prison. It is often challenging for individuals to re-establish their lives, find employment, and rebuild relationships after experiencing incarceration.

This theory explains delinquency by highlighting the influence of peers. It suggests that youth are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior when surrounded by friends who exhibit similar behaviors.

This theory argues that individuals with weak social bonds, such as family or community ties, are more susceptible to engaging in delinquent behavior.

This theory suggests that individuals who are labeled as deviant, even if they haven't committed any crimes, are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior. This labeling can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies and increase the likelihood of them associating with other delinquents.

This theory emphasizes the importance of opportunity and routine in explaining delinquency. It suggests that youth with unstructured time and easy access to potential targets for crime are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior.

This theory focuses on the intersection of three elements - a motivated offender, a suitable target, and an absence of capable guardians - to understand why crimes happen. The theory assumes that crime is a result of a convergence of factors that create opportunities rather than inherent personal tendencies.

A gang is a group of individuals who share a common identity, often associated with territory or specific activities, and who engage in criminal behavior as a collective. They often have intricate power structures, unique symbols or dress codes, and a focus on loyalty and protection.

School failure is a significant predictor of delinquency. This is due to the fact that education is often seen as a pathway to success and social mobility. Youth who struggle academically are more likely to lack the motivation and opportunities to succeed through traditional means, increasing the risk of turning to delinquent behavior.

Truancy, or unexcused absences from school, is a behavioral issue that can indicate underlying problems like lack of interest in school, peer pressure, or family difficulties. Chronic absenteeism can negatively impact academic performance and social development.