Criminology Exam QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |INSTANT
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1. Which of the following is considered a classical theory of
criminology?
A. Social Bond Theory
B. Routine Activity Theory
C. Rational Choice Theory
D. Differential Association Theory
Correct Answer: C. Rational Choice Theory
Rationale: Rational Choice Theory is a classical criminology theory
proposing that individuals commit crimes after weighing the costs and
benefits.
2. Who is regarded as the father of modern criminology?
A. Émile Durkheim
B. Cesare Lombroso
C. Robert Merton
D. Travis Hirschi
Correct Answer: B. Cesare Lombroso
Rationale: Lombroso is known for the biological positivist approach,
emphasizing the role of inherited traits in criminal behavior.
3. Which theory suggests that crime occurs when individuals’ bonds to
society are weak or broken?
,A. Social Disorganization Theory
B. Strain Theory
C. Social Control Theory
D. Labeling Theory
Correct Answer: C. Social Control Theory
Rationale: Social Control Theory posits that strong social bonds prevent
individuals from committing crimes.
4. Differential Association Theory argues that:
A. Crime is caused by biological defects
B. Crime is learned through interaction with others
C. Crime results from anomie
D. Crime occurs when rational calculations favor offending
Correct Answer: B. Crime is learned through interaction with others
Rationale: Sutherland’s theory emphasizes that criminal behavior is
learned from exposure to criminal norms.
5. Strain Theory focuses on:
A. The influence of peers on criminal behavior
B. Societal pressure to achieve culturally approved goals
C. The biological predisposition to crime
D. The role of law enforcement in deterring crime
Correct Answer: B. Societal pressure to achieve culturally approved
goals
Rationale: Merton’s Strain Theory suggests that crime arises when
individuals cannot achieve societal goals through legitimate means.
,6. What is the primary focus of labeling theory?
A. Economic inequality as a cause of crime
B. The impact of socialization on crime
C. The consequences of being labeled as a criminal
D. Biological explanations of criminal behavior
Correct Answer: C. The consequences of being labeled as a criminal
Rationale: Labeling theory posits that being labeled “criminal” can
reinforce deviant behavior.
7. Which of the following best describes white-collar crime?
A. Street-level theft
B. Crime committed by professionals for financial gain
C. Violent assaults
D. Drug trafficking
Correct Answer: B. Crime committed by professionals for financial gain
Rationale: White-collar crime typically involves fraud, embezzlement, or
corporate misconduct.
8. Social Disorganization Theory emphasizes:
A. Individual free will in committing crimes
B. Weak social institutions and community breakdown leading to crime
C. Criminals’ inherited biological traits
D. Economic inequalities as the main cause of crime
Correct Answer: B. Weak social institutions and community breakdown
leading to crime
Rationale: Crime is more likely in neighborhoods with poor social
cohesion and unstable institutions.
, 9. Which criminology perspective focuses on the power dynamics
between social classes?
A. Conflict Theory
B. Routine Activity Theory
C. Control Theory
D. Classical Theory
Correct Answer: A. Conflict Theory
Rationale: Conflict Theory argues that laws reflect the interests of the
powerful and that crime arises from social inequality.
10. Routine Activity Theory suggests that crime occurs when:
A. People lack strong social bonds
B. There is a motivated offender, suitable target, and absence of a
capable guardian
C. Economic strain pushes individuals toward crime
D. Criminals inherit deviant traits
Correct Answer: B. There is a motivated offender, suitable target, and
absence of a capable guardian
Rationale: The theory identifies the necessary conditions for a crime to
occur.
11. Which of the following is an example of victimless crime?
A. Burglary
B. Prostitution
C. Assault
D. Robbery
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is considered a classical theory of
criminology?
A. Social Bond Theory
B. Routine Activity Theory
C. Rational Choice Theory
D. Differential Association Theory
Correct Answer: C. Rational Choice Theory
Rationale: Rational Choice Theory is a classical criminology theory
proposing that individuals commit crimes after weighing the costs and
benefits.
2. Who is regarded as the father of modern criminology?
A. Émile Durkheim
B. Cesare Lombroso
C. Robert Merton
D. Travis Hirschi
Correct Answer: B. Cesare Lombroso
Rationale: Lombroso is known for the biological positivist approach,
emphasizing the role of inherited traits in criminal behavior.
3. Which theory suggests that crime occurs when individuals’ bonds to
society are weak or broken?
,A. Social Disorganization Theory
B. Strain Theory
C. Social Control Theory
D. Labeling Theory
Correct Answer: C. Social Control Theory
Rationale: Social Control Theory posits that strong social bonds prevent
individuals from committing crimes.
4. Differential Association Theory argues that:
A. Crime is caused by biological defects
B. Crime is learned through interaction with others
C. Crime results from anomie
D. Crime occurs when rational calculations favor offending
Correct Answer: B. Crime is learned through interaction with others
Rationale: Sutherland’s theory emphasizes that criminal behavior is
learned from exposure to criminal norms.
5. Strain Theory focuses on:
A. The influence of peers on criminal behavior
B. Societal pressure to achieve culturally approved goals
C. The biological predisposition to crime
D. The role of law enforcement in deterring crime
Correct Answer: B. Societal pressure to achieve culturally approved
goals
Rationale: Merton’s Strain Theory suggests that crime arises when
individuals cannot achieve societal goals through legitimate means.
,6. What is the primary focus of labeling theory?
A. Economic inequality as a cause of crime
B. The impact of socialization on crime
C. The consequences of being labeled as a criminal
D. Biological explanations of criminal behavior
Correct Answer: C. The consequences of being labeled as a criminal
Rationale: Labeling theory posits that being labeled “criminal” can
reinforce deviant behavior.
7. Which of the following best describes white-collar crime?
A. Street-level theft
B. Crime committed by professionals for financial gain
C. Violent assaults
D. Drug trafficking
Correct Answer: B. Crime committed by professionals for financial gain
Rationale: White-collar crime typically involves fraud, embezzlement, or
corporate misconduct.
8. Social Disorganization Theory emphasizes:
A. Individual free will in committing crimes
B. Weak social institutions and community breakdown leading to crime
C. Criminals’ inherited biological traits
D. Economic inequalities as the main cause of crime
Correct Answer: B. Weak social institutions and community breakdown
leading to crime
Rationale: Crime is more likely in neighborhoods with poor social
cohesion and unstable institutions.
, 9. Which criminology perspective focuses on the power dynamics
between social classes?
A. Conflict Theory
B. Routine Activity Theory
C. Control Theory
D. Classical Theory
Correct Answer: A. Conflict Theory
Rationale: Conflict Theory argues that laws reflect the interests of the
powerful and that crime arises from social inequality.
10. Routine Activity Theory suggests that crime occurs when:
A. People lack strong social bonds
B. There is a motivated offender, suitable target, and absence of a
capable guardian
C. Economic strain pushes individuals toward crime
D. Criminals inherit deviant traits
Correct Answer: B. There is a motivated offender, suitable target, and
absence of a capable guardian
Rationale: The theory identifies the necessary conditions for a crime to
occur.
11. Which of the following is an example of victimless crime?
A. Burglary
B. Prostitution
C. Assault
D. Robbery
