Forensic Psychology and Delinquency Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What factor is more strongly associated with delinquency than a broken home?

Emotional bonds among family members (correct)

Number of siblings in a household

Parents' level of education

Financial instability in families

What does a hostile parenting style typically lead to in children?

Improved adolescent adjustment

Strong self-esteem

Low empathy (correct)

High levels of empathy

Which theory suggests that strong parental attachment improves receptiveness to discipline?

Social learning theory (correct)

Social control theory

Strain theory

Conflict theory

What does criminal psychology primarily focus on?

Understanding and changing criminal behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of family dissolution for children?

Navigating many transitions Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between family conflict and peer association?

Family conflict is positively correlated with deviant peer association Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes forensic psychology?

Application of psychological knowledge to the criminal justice system Signup and view all the answers

Desistance refers to what process?

The gradual cessation of criminal behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which parenting style is likely to stabilize family life through rituals?

Authoritative style Signup and view all the answers

Which factor was found to be significant in the development of delinquency?

Child abuse Signup and view all the answers

Forensic anthropologists are primarily involved in which area?

Analyzing skeletal remains in legal contexts Signup and view all the answers

What does co-offending in delinquent acts indicate?

Delinquent acts are often committed in small groups Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following roles is concerned with analyzing fingerprints?

Dactyloscopy specialist Signup and view all the answers

The societal response definition indicates that an act is deemed deviant when what occurs?

An audience perceives and judges the behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which area of forensic science deals with deceased individuals and insects?

Forensic Entomology Signup and view all the answers

What can best define a criminal, according to the content provided?

A person whose identity and life are centered around a pattern of deviant behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is described as actions that may reward the actor but cause harm to others?

Criminal behavior Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Dark Figure of Crime' refer to?

Offences that are never reported Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is most commonly reported in Self Report Surveys as an offense?

Alcohol abuse Signup and view all the answers

What hypothesis suggests a higher risk of delinquency for children from disrupted family structures?

Broken home hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

What is highlighted as important in shaping outcomes for children, beyond family structure?

Social dynamics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason for crimes remaining unreported?

Lack of awareness Signup and view all the answers

What is one aspect that distinguishes participation in offending from the frequency of criminal offending?

Number of offenses committed Signup and view all the answers

In the context of crime, what is a critical factor affecting family functioning?

Family relationships Signup and view all the answers

What does social learning theory propose about delinquent friends?

They cause law-abiding youth to get in trouble Signup and view all the answers

What is a key assertion of control theory regarding antisocial adolescents?

They seek out like-minded peers for criminal association Signup and view all the answers

According to labeling theory, what influences deviant kids' peer selection?

They are forced to choose deviant peers Signup and view all the answers

What do routine activities theory suggest about parental control and delinquency?

Kids without parental control are more likely to engage in delinquency Signup and view all the answers

What are NEETs commonly characterized by?

Disengagement from education, employment, or training Signup and view all the answers

What is truancy typically a sign of?

Chronic behavioral issues and external pressures Signup and view all the answers

How does school attachment relate to delinquency?

Higher attachment to school decreases the likelihood of delinquent behavior Signup and view all the answers

What significant factor is associated with school failure and delinquency?

Poor school performance leading to lack of success avenues Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the process by which inmates are shaped and transformed by the institutional environments?

Institutionalization Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was historically a primary goal of punishments for crime?

Deter onlookers from crime Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of social cognition in relation to criminal behavior?

Mental processes involved in social interactions Signup and view all the answers

In Sykes' 'The society of captives', what aspect of prison life is examined?

Social roles of inmates Signup and view all the answers

What do social cognitive distortions refer to within the context of criminal behavior?

Biased thinking patterns supporting criminal activities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a 'total institution'?

A closed social system with strict rules Signup and view all the answers

What are some psychological effects of incarceration?

Altered self-concept Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests that moral disengagement contributes to criminal behavior?

Bandura's Moral Disengagement Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of social process theories relates to delinquency and crime?

All individuals have equal potential for criminal behavior Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the earliest forms of confinement that served as a precursor to modern prisons?

Workhouses Signup and view all the answers

Erik Erikson's theories primarily focus on which aspect of human development?

Psychosocial development across the lifespan Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon explains the high rates of reoffending among former inmates?

Institutionalization effects Signup and view all the answers

What is a key question that forensic psychology addresses regarding inmates?

How does complete social control affect personality? Signup and view all the answers

Neo-Freudians contribute to the understanding of juvenile delinquency by emphasizing which of the following?

The role of unconscious drives in behavior Signup and view all the answers

Glen Walters' Criminal Lifestyle Theory suggests that criminal behavior is best understood through which framework?

Patterns and lifestyles common among criminals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes the role of socialization in the context of social process theories?

It significantly influences the likelihood of becoming delinquent Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Criminal Psychology

Criminal psychology is the study of criminal behaviour, examining why individuals commit crimes, and aiming to change that behaviour.
Forensic psychology is the application and research of psychological knowledge in the legal system. It involves applying psychological theories across the criminal justice system, including police, parole, victims, etc..
Desistance is the process of ceasing criminal behaviour and moving towards a crime-free life.

Forensic Psychologists

They advise legislators, judges, correctional officers, lawyers, and police.
They act as expert witnesses.
They formulate interventions and provide support for incarcerated and probationary offenders.
They screen and evaluate personnel in law enforcement and judicial systems.

Specific Areas of Forensic Psychology

Expert opinion and testimony on psychological issues
Assessing receptiveness and response to treatment.
Psychological testing and evaluation
Assessment of dangerousness
Selection and placement of police officers, security personnel, and military personnel
Explaining psychological conditions in court
Designing treatment programs for offenders and those at risk
Conducting treatment effectiveness research
Teaching forensic topics
Jury selection and case strategy
Using formal assessments, standardized tools, and systemic interviews to assess clients.
Evaluating risks clients may pose to themselves or others.
Developing psychological formulations to plan appropriate interventions.

Criminal Profiling

Criminal profiling involves examining offence details, victim information, and crime scene data to create a profile of the likely offender.
Criminal Investigative Analysis (CIA) is an approach that focuses on classifying crimes by motive to help investigators identify offender typologies.
Different methods include organised, disorganised, and mixed offenders.

Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropology uses human biology and physical anthropology to analyze remains in legal settings.
Forensic analysis is useful when a body is decomposed, burned, mutilated, or otherwise unrecognizable to assist in identification.

Ballistics

Ballistics experts collect and analyze firearms and ammunition for evidence.

Forensic Entomology

Forensic entomology involves studying insects on a corpse to determine the time and cause of death.

Forensic Odontology

Forensic dentistry examines teeth for identification.

Forensic Pathology

The forensic pathologist analyzes body remains for cause and time of death through autopsy.

Forensic Photography

Forensic photographers capture and preserve evidence for legal purposes.

Crime

Criminal Law defines actions/omissions as an offense punishable by law.
Actus Reus refers to the guilty act or physical component of the crime
Mens Rea refers to the guilty mind or mental component of the crime.

Delinquency

Delinquency refers to behaviour that violates norms or laws, especially by young people.

Deviance

Deviance is non-conformity to a norm or norms accepted by the majority.
Norms can be prescriptive (encouraged behaviour) and proscriptive (discouraged behaviour).

Criminal Measurement

Official crime data often underrepresents crimes.
Self-report and victimization data can better capture the scope of crime.

National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)

The NCVS measures crime unreported to police.
It uses nationally representative samples to collect data from victims.

Strain Theory

Strain theory looks at how societal goals clash with available means.
Crime results from adaptation to these strains according to different means-end frameworks, like conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.

Social disorganization theory suggests that crime is more prevalent in neighbourhoods characterised by disrupted social structures, poverty, and weakness in the social relationships.

Age and Crime

Age crime curves show peak crime rates occurring in the adolescent years.
Frequency of crime and participation in criminal behaviour are different, with participating in crimes often higher among adolescents.

Gender and Crime

Males commit more crimes than females.
Females commit petty crimes more frequently than serious crimes.

Mental health and crime

Some research suggests a link between mental health disorders and criminal behaviour.

Socioeconomic status (SES)

Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may be more susceptible to committing crime due to lack of opportunities and societal structures.

Cultural and ethnicity

Some studies suggest certain racial and ethnic groups are overrepresented in crime statistics, however this could be due to biases within the criminal justice system.

###Family and Crime

Family situations and relationship dynamics play a significant role in criminal behavior.
Broken home hypotheses have failed to demonstrate strong correlation with criminal activity.
Family relationships and dynamics are more influential than a simple "broken home".

Peer Influence and Crime

Being part of a criminal peer group can increase involvement in criminal behaviours.

School and Crime

Poor school performance is associated with higher likelihood of participating in delinquency and crime.

Criminal behaviour is learned through observing and interacting with peers in social processes.

Lack of social connections and bonds is a predictor of criminal behaviour.

Labeling Theory

Social reactions to crime, like labeling people as "criminals", impact future behaviour.

Cognitive Behavioural Theory

This theory suggests criminals have specific thought processes that support criminal behaviour.

Biosocial and Psychological approaches

Psychopathy is a personality disorder with some biological components, linked to criminal behavior.

Prison

Prisonisation or prison culture refers to the internal adaptations inmates make.
Institutionalisation affects a person's behaviour, identity and psychological well-being.
Many possible outcomes can result from prisonization including the development of skills, techniques and norms of behaviour.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts in forensic psychology and delinquency. This quiz covers factors affecting juvenile behavior, the impact of parenting styles, and the role of forensic professionals. Perfect for students studying psychology or criminal justice.