Criminological Theories and Explanation of Crime Practice
Exam questions and correct answers– Updated 2026
(Graded A+) instant download pdf
Subject: Criminology (CMY3701)
Subtopic: Rational Actor Model, Classical School, and Routine Activities Theory
Question 1:
Which assumption is MOST central to the classical school of criminology?
A) Crime is biologically predetermined
B) Individuals act with free will and rational choice
C) Crime is caused only by mental illness
D) Crime is random and unstructured
Correct Answer: B - Individuals act with free will and rational choice
Rationale: The classical school assumes individuals weigh costs and benefits before
committing crime. Biological determinism (A) belongs to positivism. Mental illness (C) is a
narrow psychological explanation, not classical theory. Random behavior (D) contradicts
structured rational decision-making.
Question 2:
Routine Activities Theory suggests that crime occurs when:
A) Biological traits are inherited
B) Three elements converge in time and space
C) Poverty is eliminated
D) Laws are unclear
Correct Answer: B - Three elements converge in time and space
Rationale: Crime occurs when a motivated offender, suitable target, and lack of capable
guardian converge. Biological inheritance (A) is positivist. Poverty reduction (C) may
influence crime but is not core to the theory. Legal clarity (D) is unrelated to the model.
Question 3:
Which element is NOT part of Routine Activities Theory?
A) Motivated offender
B) Suitable target
,C) Capable guardian
D) Genetic predisposition
Correct Answer: D - Genetic predisposition
Rationale: Routine Activities Theory is environmental and situational, not biological. Genetic
predisposition belongs to biosocial or positivist theories. The other three are core
components of the theory.
Question 4:
Rational Choice Theory assumes offenders:
A) Act impulsively without reasoning
B) Always suffer from psychological disorders
C) Evaluate costs and benefits before offending
D) Are controlled entirely by society
Correct Answer: C - Evaluate costs and benefits before offending
Rationale: Rational Choice Theory assumes offenders make calculated decisions. Impulsivity
(A) contradicts rationality. Psychological disorder (B) is not required. Social control (D) is a
separate sociological theory.
Question 5:
Which concept BEST explains increased crime in poorly supervised public spaces?
A) Genetic determinism
B) Routine activities theory
C) Psychodynamic theory
D) Classical conditioning
Correct Answer: B - Routine activities theory
Rationale: Lack of supervision reduces guardianship, increasing crime opportunities. Genetic
determinism (A) is biological. Psychodynamic theory (C) focuses on unconscious drives.
Classical conditioning (D) is behavioral learning, not situational crime structure.
Question 6:
Which of the following BEST describes “capable guardianship”?
A) Police presence and surveillance
B) Genetic inheritance
,C) Economic inequality
D) Criminal intent
Correct Answer: A - Police presence and surveillance
Rationale: Guardianship refers to any person or mechanism that prevents crime. Genetics
(B), inequality (C), and intent (D) are unrelated to situational prevention.
Question 7:
In rational decision-making, crime is most likely when:
A) Risks outweigh rewards
B) Rewards outweigh perceived risks
C) No opportunity exists
D) Guardianship is strong
Correct Answer: B - Rewards outweigh perceived risks
Rationale: Crime occurs when perceived benefits exceed costs. High risk (A) reduces crime
likelihood. No opportunity (C) prevents crime. Strong guardianship (D) deters offenders.
Question 8:
Which theory focuses MOST on environmental opportunities for crime?
A) Biosocial theory
B) Routine activities theory
C) Psychodynamic theory
D) Genetic theory
Correct Answer: B - Routine activities theory
Rationale: It emphasizes situational conditions. Biosocial (A) and genetic (D) focus on
biology. Psychodynamic (C) focuses on unconscious psychological processes.
Question 9:
A key limitation of classical theory is that it:
A) Ignores rational decision-making
B) Assumes equal ability to make rational choices
C) Focuses too much on biology
D) Rejects punishment completely
, Correct Answer: B - Assumes equal ability to make rational choices
Rationale: Classical theory assumes all individuals have equal rational capacity, ignoring
social and psychological differences. It does not ignore rationality (A), is not biological (C),
and supports punishment (D).
Question 10:
Which factor would most reduce crime according to Routine Activities Theory?
A) Increasing genetic diversity
B) Increasing guardianship
C) Reducing IQ levels
D) Increasing unemployment
Correct Answer: B - Increasing guardianship
Rationale: Strong guardianship reduces opportunities for crime. Genetic diversity (A) is
irrelevant. IQ reduction (C) is unrelated. Unemployment (D) may increase motivation but is
not directly addressed.
Question 11:
Which model explains crime as a result of biological, psychological, and neurological factors?
A) Rational actor model
B) Predestined actor model
C) Classical model
D) Situational model
Correct Answer: B - Predestined actor model
Rationale: This model includes positivist biological and psychological explanations. Rational
actor (A) focuses on choice. Classical (C) focuses on free will. Situational (D) focuses on
environment.
Question 12:
Which is a biosocial explanation of crime?
A) Crime results from free will alone
B) Crime results from genetic and environmental interaction
C) Crime results from punishment severity
D) Crime results from legal systems
Exam questions and correct answers– Updated 2026
(Graded A+) instant download pdf
Subject: Criminology (CMY3701)
Subtopic: Rational Actor Model, Classical School, and Routine Activities Theory
Question 1:
Which assumption is MOST central to the classical school of criminology?
A) Crime is biologically predetermined
B) Individuals act with free will and rational choice
C) Crime is caused only by mental illness
D) Crime is random and unstructured
Correct Answer: B - Individuals act with free will and rational choice
Rationale: The classical school assumes individuals weigh costs and benefits before
committing crime. Biological determinism (A) belongs to positivism. Mental illness (C) is a
narrow psychological explanation, not classical theory. Random behavior (D) contradicts
structured rational decision-making.
Question 2:
Routine Activities Theory suggests that crime occurs when:
A) Biological traits are inherited
B) Three elements converge in time and space
C) Poverty is eliminated
D) Laws are unclear
Correct Answer: B - Three elements converge in time and space
Rationale: Crime occurs when a motivated offender, suitable target, and lack of capable
guardian converge. Biological inheritance (A) is positivist. Poverty reduction (C) may
influence crime but is not core to the theory. Legal clarity (D) is unrelated to the model.
Question 3:
Which element is NOT part of Routine Activities Theory?
A) Motivated offender
B) Suitable target
,C) Capable guardian
D) Genetic predisposition
Correct Answer: D - Genetic predisposition
Rationale: Routine Activities Theory is environmental and situational, not biological. Genetic
predisposition belongs to biosocial or positivist theories. The other three are core
components of the theory.
Question 4:
Rational Choice Theory assumes offenders:
A) Act impulsively without reasoning
B) Always suffer from psychological disorders
C) Evaluate costs and benefits before offending
D) Are controlled entirely by society
Correct Answer: C - Evaluate costs and benefits before offending
Rationale: Rational Choice Theory assumes offenders make calculated decisions. Impulsivity
(A) contradicts rationality. Psychological disorder (B) is not required. Social control (D) is a
separate sociological theory.
Question 5:
Which concept BEST explains increased crime in poorly supervised public spaces?
A) Genetic determinism
B) Routine activities theory
C) Psychodynamic theory
D) Classical conditioning
Correct Answer: B - Routine activities theory
Rationale: Lack of supervision reduces guardianship, increasing crime opportunities. Genetic
determinism (A) is biological. Psychodynamic theory (C) focuses on unconscious drives.
Classical conditioning (D) is behavioral learning, not situational crime structure.
Question 6:
Which of the following BEST describes “capable guardianship”?
A) Police presence and surveillance
B) Genetic inheritance
,C) Economic inequality
D) Criminal intent
Correct Answer: A - Police presence and surveillance
Rationale: Guardianship refers to any person or mechanism that prevents crime. Genetics
(B), inequality (C), and intent (D) are unrelated to situational prevention.
Question 7:
In rational decision-making, crime is most likely when:
A) Risks outweigh rewards
B) Rewards outweigh perceived risks
C) No opportunity exists
D) Guardianship is strong
Correct Answer: B - Rewards outweigh perceived risks
Rationale: Crime occurs when perceived benefits exceed costs. High risk (A) reduces crime
likelihood. No opportunity (C) prevents crime. Strong guardianship (D) deters offenders.
Question 8:
Which theory focuses MOST on environmental opportunities for crime?
A) Biosocial theory
B) Routine activities theory
C) Psychodynamic theory
D) Genetic theory
Correct Answer: B - Routine activities theory
Rationale: It emphasizes situational conditions. Biosocial (A) and genetic (D) focus on
biology. Psychodynamic (C) focuses on unconscious psychological processes.
Question 9:
A key limitation of classical theory is that it:
A) Ignores rational decision-making
B) Assumes equal ability to make rational choices
C) Focuses too much on biology
D) Rejects punishment completely
, Correct Answer: B - Assumes equal ability to make rational choices
Rationale: Classical theory assumes all individuals have equal rational capacity, ignoring
social and psychological differences. It does not ignore rationality (A), is not biological (C),
and supports punishment (D).
Question 10:
Which factor would most reduce crime according to Routine Activities Theory?
A) Increasing genetic diversity
B) Increasing guardianship
C) Reducing IQ levels
D) Increasing unemployment
Correct Answer: B - Increasing guardianship
Rationale: Strong guardianship reduces opportunities for crime. Genetic diversity (A) is
irrelevant. IQ reduction (C) is unrelated. Unemployment (D) may increase motivation but is
not directly addressed.
Question 11:
Which model explains crime as a result of biological, psychological, and neurological factors?
A) Rational actor model
B) Predestined actor model
C) Classical model
D) Situational model
Correct Answer: B - Predestined actor model
Rationale: This model includes positivist biological and psychological explanations. Rational
actor (A) focuses on choice. Classical (C) focuses on free will. Situational (D) focuses on
environment.
Question 12:
Which is a biosocial explanation of crime?
A) Crime results from free will alone
B) Crime results from genetic and environmental interaction
C) Crime results from punishment severity
D) Crime results from legal systems
