Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the most important element of deterrence theory?
What is the most important element of deterrence theory?
- Certainty (correct)
- Severity
- All elements are equally important
- Celerity
Classical criminology is based on the belief that:
Classical criminology is based on the belief that:
- Crime is caused solely by environmental factors
- Crime is an irrational act committed without thought
- Crime should be prevented through harsh punishments only
- Crime is committed after weighing the pros and cons rationally (correct)
What is the purpose of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)?
What is the purpose of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)?
- To make potential criminal targets more attractive
- To increase the certainty of being caught for crimes
- To increase the severity of punishments for crimes
- To make potential criminal targets less attractive (correct)
Which of the following is NOT one of the three elements of deterrence theory?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three elements of deterrence theory?
According to classical criminology, if a punishment is too severe, what may happen?
According to classical criminology, if a punishment is too severe, what may happen?
What is the Expected Utility Principle in criminology?
What is the Expected Utility Principle in criminology?
Which theory emphasizes the role of economists in criminological thought?
Which theory emphasizes the role of economists in criminological thought?
What is required for crime to occur, based on the Routine Activities Theory?
What is required for crime to occur, based on the Routine Activities Theory?
What is the premise behind the 'Scared Straight' program?
What is the premise behind the 'Scared Straight' program?
Which of the following individuals advocated for abolishing the death penalty?
Which of the following individuals advocated for abolishing the death penalty?
Study Notes
Criminological Theories and Concepts
- Expected Utility Principle: states that people act to increase benefits and reduce losses, tied to classical criminology and rational choice theory.
- Free Will: the belief that humans are rational and can make decisions according to their own will, understanding the difference between right and wrong.
Classical Criminology
- Based on utilitarian notions of free will and the greatest good for the greatest number.
- Refers to the belief that a crime is committed after weighing pros and cons, and is a rational decision.
- Countered through a deterrence-based system.
Deterrence Theory
- Three elements:
- Celerity: how quickly an individual is punished after committing a crime.
- Certainty: how likely it is that an individual will be caught and punished for a crime, considered the most important element.
- Severity: how harsh the punishment for a crime will be, which must fit the crime to be effective.
Crime Prevention
- Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED): practices designed to make potential criminal targets less attractive, based on the belief that crime is a rational act.
Notable Individuals
- Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794): Italian nobleman, wrote On Crimes and Punishment (1764).
- Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832): jurist and philosopher, advocated abolishing the death penalty.
Programs and Approaches
- Scared Straight: a program that takes young offenders or potential offenders to a prison environment to expose them to the realities of prison life, aiming to reduce delinquency.
- Shock Incarceration: a brief prison sentence followed by probation, aiming to deter the offender from further criminality.
- Boot Camps: programs using a military model of discipline and order, aiming to have a deterrent effect on young offenders.
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Description
This quiz covers the three key elements of deterrence theory: celerity, certainty, and severity. Test your understanding of how these elements influence the effectiveness of deterrence in preventing crimes.
