Introduction to Criminology: Key Concepts

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a primary method through which social order is enforced?

Technological advancements
Physical or legal coercion (correct)
Promoting social isolation
Economic manipulation

Hegemony primarily relies on physical force rather than cultural forms and processes to maintain social order.

False (B)

Define 'ideological effects' in the context of crime images.

Ideological effects are results embedded in crime images that reflect themes related to class, race, gender, or other group-based patterns and ways of thinking.

A perspective that is group based, partial, and 'ready-made' can be described as an ______.

ideology Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their descriptions:

Hegemony = A dynamic form of hierarchical social order maintained with cultural forms. Counter-hegemonic = Challenges existing arrangements. Social Order = An established system of social norms and values used to maintain stability and prevent chaos. Dominant Ideology = Ideology created by people in power. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'racialization of crime images' refer to?

The media practice of associating certain racial groups with specific types of crime. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Counter-hegemonic movements reinforce existing social arrangements.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Briefly explain the relationship between ideology and social structure.

Ideology can be embedded into social structures and cultural forms, influencing how people perceive and interact within society without them necessarily realizing it. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes 'slate cleaning'?

Making an arrest to clear crimes made by an arrest which affects the data. (A) Signup and view all the answers

An over-reliance on the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data provides a complete and unbiased view of crime trends in the United States.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Define 'discretion' in the context of law enforcement and briefly describe how it can be biased.

Discretion refers to the option to decide what is a crime or not and whether to report or not. Discretion is classed, gendered and racialized. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios is most likely to trigger fast thinking and, consequently, implicit biases?

Making a split-second decision while driving in heavy traffic. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The Guardian initiated 'The Counted' project to track __________ killings by police in the U.S. because official federal data was lacking.

U.S. police Signup and view all the answers

Mitigating implicit bias in the criminal justice system primarily involves encouraging fast, intuitive decision-making among law enforcement and legal professionals.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Briefly explain how implicit bias, as a cultural phenomenon, is reinforced by the media.

Implicit bias is influenced by cultural elements such as crime myths, stereotypes, news coverage, TV, and film, which contribute to its reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

How might limited resources and local politics affect crime data?

They can influence police priorities and practices, affecting what crimes are focused on and reported. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The 'white gaze' is described as a __________ viewpoint that historically constitutes Black bodies as different and is hegemonic because it is dominant, but not the only way of seeing.

partial Signup and view all the answers

The concept of 'constructing the crime problem' suggests that crime is an objective reality independent of social perceptions and definitions.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of thinking with its description:

Fast Thinking = Quick, unintentional, and unconscious processes that often rely on stereotypes. Slow Thinking = Deliberate, intentional, and conscious processes that involve critical analysis. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how factors, such as response and question wording while conducting NCVS interviews, can introduce bias into crime data, and provide one specific example of each.

Response bias reflects how power dynamics or personal judgments can influence answers. Question wording bias occurs when how a question is framed affects the response. With response bias, interviewees may alter their responses based on the interviewer's perceived race or education. With question wording, phrasing questions in a leading manner can sway responses. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the criminal justice system, which of the following is LEAST likely to be influenced by implicit bias?

Automated data analysis for crime prediction algorithms. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Overt bias and implicit bias are equally easy for an individual to recognize and address in themselves.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the concept of the 'white gaze' relates to hegemony.

The 'white gaze' is hegemonic because, although it is not the only way of seeing, it is a relatively dominant viewpoint that shapes perceptions and reinforces certain power structures. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the focus of criminology?

The study of law-breaking, responses to crime, and law-making. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The concept of social construction in criminology implies that the definition of crime remains constant across all societies and time periods.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Name two of the three dimensions of social relativity in the context of crime.

Historical, Cross-Cultural, Intra-societal/political Signup and view all the answers

The process of defining something as criminal, surveilling the behavior, and responding when crime is detected is known as the ________ process.

criminalization Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an implication of the social construction of crime?

Collective responses to crime, such as moral panics, can arise even when crime rates are decreasing. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, news consumption has no effect on an individual's fear of crime.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Describe the 'Unholy Trinity' and why it is relevant in criminology.

Fear of crime, actual crime, and crime imagery are the components of the 'Unholy Trinity.' It is relevant because it demonstrates the interconnectedness of factors that influence one another and shape our understanding of crime as a sociological problem. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the primary goal of newsmaking criminology?

To ensure that media portrayals of crime accurately reflect the full spectrum of illegal and harmful activities, not just sensational incidents. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Individuals are more likely to be victims of street crime committed by strangers than white-collar crime or crime committed by acquaintances.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Explain how fear of crime can be utilized as a social resource, providing at least two specific examples.

Fear of crime can be used to garner support for harsher penalties and increased surveillance measures. It can also serve as a distraction from other social issues, and can be used to create revenue and new jobs in the security industry. Signup and view all the answers

The phenomenon known as '__________ danger' contributes to a misperception that most crimes are committed by strangers, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.

stranger Signup and view all the answers

Match the following crime types with the income level of individuals most likely to commit them:

Street crime = Low income individuals Suite crime = High income individuals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key difference between the legal and sociological definitions of crime?

The legal definition is straightforward and emphasizes written laws, while the sociological definition is broader and considers social and political factors. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, empirical data always supports public perceptions of criminal danger.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which group is most likely to experience higher rates of fear of crime?

Elderly individuals (B) Signup and view all the answers

If a perpetrator commits both robbery and assault in a single incident, how would the UCR's hierarchy rule affect the reporting of these crimes?

Only the robbery is reported, as it is higher in the hierarchy. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) is implemented uniformly across all states in the U.S.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between how Part 1 and Part 2 crimes are reported in the UCR?

Part 1 crimes are based on crimes known to the police, whereas Part 2 crimes are based on crimes cleared by arrest. Signup and view all the answers

The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program was created by the ______ in 1930.

FBI Signup and view all the answers

Match each data source with the type of crime data it primarily collects:

UCR = Crimes reported to the police NCVS = Crimes reported by victims NIBRS = Detailed data on individual crime incidents Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key advantage of the NCVS compared to the UCR and NIBRS?

Offers a comprehensive view of all crimes, including those not reported to police. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main limitation of relying solely on police-based data, such as the UCR, to understand crime rates?

It does not show any unreported crimes. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor primarily contributes to the difference in crime statistics observed when transitioning from UCR to NIBRS?

Differences in data collection methods and the volume of data collected. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Discretion

The ability to decide what constitutes a crime and whether to report it.

Slate Cleaning

Making an arrest to clear previous crime records; can misrepresent data accuracy.