Opportunity-Rationality Theories Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What role do routine legal activities play in a community according to the theory discussed?

They influence the location, type, and quantity of illegal acts. (correct)

They reduce the number of motivated offenders in a community.

They help in determining the moral standards of a society.

They have no significant impact on crime rates.

Which of the following best describes 'routine activities'?

Activities that are mainly illegal and provide for basic needs.

One-time events that occur sporadically in communities.

Recurring activities that fulfill individual and societal needs. (correct)

Activities that involve a high degree of criminal intention.

What is a central message of opportunity-rationality theories?

Crime is informed by the nature and distribution of opportunities. (correct)

Most individuals are inherently inclined to commit crimes.

Crime is solely dependent on the presence of motivated offenders.

Crime can be completely eliminated through better economic conditions.

What criticism is leveled against opportunity-rationality theories?

They assume all offenders are motivated under the same circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

In relation to the types of crime, which statement is true regarding the application of opportunity-rationality theory?

It is better suited for property crimes and violent crimes. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of crime does the 'motivated offender' concept lack focus on according to criticisms received?

The situational factors leading to criminal decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental assumption does opportunity-rationality theory make about criminals?

Criminal decision-making is influenced by rational choice. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Merton's theory when discussing deviant behaviors?

The choices individuals make in response to societal strain. Signup and view all the answers

According to Cohen's deviant subculture theory, what motivates youth gang members to commit crimes?

Desire for social status and reputation. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes 'retreatism' from 'rebellion' according to Merton's adaptations to strain?

Retreatism involves giving up both goals and means. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following criticisms has been raised against Merton's theory?

It does not account for individual variations in adaptation. Signup and view all the answers

What does Cohen suggest about the relationship between lower-class youth and middle-class culture?

There exists a conflict that influences delinquent behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental shift did the Positivist School introduce compared to classical theory?

It endorsed a more deterministic view of criminal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the approach of the Positivist School towards the study of crime?

Study of tangible and quantifiable causes of criminal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which concept is fundamentally rejected by proponents of the Positivist perspective regarding criminal behavior?

The rational actor model of free will. Signup and view all the answers

What did Cesare Lombroso contribute to the field of biological theories in criminology?

The notion that inborn abnormalities influence criminal propensity. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is associated with the Positivist School's methodology in studying crime?

Scientific and empirical methodologies with quantifiable data. Signup and view all the answers

From a Positivist perspective, what is often viewed as a significant factor determining criminal behavior?

Biological and environmental influences. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following categories does NOT align with the classification of positivist theories?

Historical theories. Signup and view all the answers

How did early biological theories differ from classical theories regarding the origin of criminal behavior?

They focused on inborn abnormalities instead of rational choice. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common criticism of the positivist approach to studying crime?

It overlooks the impact of free will on offender behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily distinguishes control theories from other crime theories?

The incorporation of crime-motivating factors related to personality. Signup and view all the answers

According to Nye's expansion on social control, which category involves the internalization of guilt?

Internal control Signup and view all the answers

What are Reckless's terms for the internal and external factors in the containment theory?

Inner and outer containment Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of 'direct control' in Nye's framework?

The imposition or threat of punishment for misconduct. Signup and view all the answers

In Reckless's containment theory, what happens when motivations for deviance are strong?

Crime and delinquency are likely to occur. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of 'indirect control' in preventing delinquency according to Nye?

It relies on emotional impact on close relationships. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a component of outer containment by Reckless?

Conscience development Signup and view all the answers

How did Reiss contribute to the field of control theories in criminology?

By attributing delinquency to personal and social control failures. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of social control did Nye emphasize as being particularly important in families?

Informal and emotional influences on behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of motivations that Reckless refers to in his containment theory?

Pushes and pulls toward delinquency. Signup and view all the answers

What role does 'involvement' play in Hirschi’s social bonding theory?

It is considered the weakest part of the theory. Signup and view all the answers

How does the belief component of Hirschi’s theory relate to delinquency?

Weaker belief in laws correlates with higher chances of violation. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, which of the following is a surprising factor influencing delinquency?

Associations with delinquent friends. Signup and view all the answers

What does Gottfredson and Hirschi’s Self-Control Theory emphasize?

The individual's level of self-control as a predictor of criminality. Signup and view all the answers

Which outcome does Hirschi's collaboration with Gottfredson emphasize?

The overarching influence of self-control across all ages. Signup and view all the answers

In Hirschi's theories, which statement about peer relationships is true?

Strong attachment to delinquent peers increases the likelihood of delinquency. Signup and view all the answers

What finding challenges Hirschi’s initial hypotheses regarding social bonds and delinquency?

Delinquency is less associated with strong social bonds. Signup and view all the answers

What factor was identified as having a lesser effect on delinquency within the social bonding framework?

Involvement in daily activities. Signup and view all the answers

How does self-control theory differentiate crime propensity?

By highlighting individual differences in self-control. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Criminological Theories

Criminology seeks to explain criminal behavior, understanding why people commit crimes or not.
Theories are explanations of observations, developed through hypotheses testing and generalizations about relationships between two or more events.
Scientific criminological theories require empirical validity, meaning they can be verified or refuted through evidence and are probabilistic, not necessarily always causal.

What is Theory?

Theories are tentative answers to questions about events and behaviors (e.g., why, how, by what process).
Theories explain how and under what conditions two or more events are related.
They identify risk factors for crime and help explain why some laws are created.

Classifications of Theories

Criminological theories can be broadly classified into theories of law and criminal justice (i.e., theories explaining how laws are made and enforced) and theories of criminal behavior (i.e., theories explaining the process of lawbreaking).
Macro-theories (wider implications) explore societal differences in crime and deviance, whereas micro-theories focus on individual differences.

Rational Actor Model of Crime and Criminal Behavior

Classical criminology, prevalent in the 1700s and 1800s, emphasized free will and rational choice in crime.
People weigh the pleasure versus pain associated with a crime (deterrence doctrine).
Proportionality, certainty, and celerity of punishment are key components of deterrence.
Neoclassical variations acknowledged limitations in rational choice, like factors specific to individuals.

Rational Choice Theory

Expected utility principle from economics.
Offenders weigh costs & benefits (rewards, chances of getting caught, punishments) to make rational choices about crime.
"Bounded rationality" - acknowledges that criminals don't always calculate rationally; they have limitations on their cognitive abilities and knowledge

Routine Activities Theory

Crime is a product of motivated offender, suitable target, and absence of capable guardian.
Crime occurs where and when these three factors come together.
Crime opportunities are related to specific situations and times, and influenced by lifestyles and activities.

Predestined Actor Model

Positivist criminology (1800s+).
Assumes crime is caused by internal or external factors beyond an individual's control (biological, psychological or social).
Assumes criminals cannot fully exercise free will and are driven, partly or completely, by factors external to them.

Biological and Biosocial Theories

Early theories focused on physical and observable characteristics possibly contributing to criminal behavior, e.g., Lombroso's "born criminal".
Modern biosocial theories recognise the interaction between biology and environment to explain criminal behavior, looking at genetics, biochemistry, nutrition, and neurobiology.

Psychological Theories

Some theories focus on personality traits (e.g., impulsiveness, aggressiveness, sensation-seeking) as potential predictors of criminal behavior.
Emphasis on the 'big five' personality traits.

Social learning theory (Sutherland, Akers) proposes that criminal behavior is learned through social interactions, imitation, and differential reinforcement.
Social bonding theory (Hirschi) claims our bonds to society (family, social norms, conventional values) influence our likelihood of not committing crime.
Control theory suggests that conformity stems from social controls preventing, or restraining us from engaging in crime.

Social disorganization theory (Shaw, McKay) links crime rates to the social and economic characteristics of an area.
Anomie/Strain theory (Merton) proposes that strain resulting from societal goals being unattainable via conventional means causes criminal behavior.

Victimised Actor Model

Marxist Theories: Emphasize the role of power and economic inequalities, arguing that the criminal justice system is partly driven by the interests of powerful elites.
Feminist Theories: Critiques the androcentrism of existing theories, highlighting how gender and sexism affect criminalization and punishment of crime.
Labelling Theory: Focuses on societal reactions to criminal acts, rather than act itself, and argues that labeling someone as 'deviant' or 'criminal' can lead to 'self-fulfilling prophecies' encouraging further criminal behavior.

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Description

Test your understanding of opportunity-rationality theories in criminology. This quiz covers the role of routine legal activities, the concept of motivated offenders, and related criticisms of the theory. Enhance your knowledge of how these theories explain crime in communities.