PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL AND VIOLENT
BEHAVIOUR 1ST EDITION LYON EXAM
REVIEW TESTED QUESTIONS WITH 100
PERCENT CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ Sociological standpoint on crime
Answer: Sociological - Crime is a socially constructed phenomenon
Society, and the people and norms within, shape and influence what
is acceptable and what is not
Also crime is different in all societies (ex: polygamy, rape within a
marriage
Crimes like theft, robbery and incest are usually pretty agreed on
◉ Definition of crime used in class
Answer: Intentional behaviour that violates a criminal code;
intentional in that is did not occur accidently or without justification
of excuse
◉ What is the Criminal code of Canada
Answer: official document outlining the various acts considered
criminal in Canada.
,Contains detailed definitions and descriptions
intention, enforcement, court process, trials, verdicts, sentencing,
being an accessory to a crime etc.
◉ Why do we care about definitions?
Answer: The definition adopted plays a critical role in
prevalence(proportion of a population found to be involved in
crime)
A more strict definition could decrease crime rate
A more inclusive definition could increase crime rate
◉ Media Influence on Perception of Prevalence (proportion of a
population found to be involved in crime)
Answer: Sensational crimes typically receive front-page billing
Media tends to focus on the sensational stories, misleading the
population of their overall prevalence
We see the big stories, but do they reflect the actual culture of crime
in Canada? -->no
Is Canadian crime dominated by the Paul Bernardo's and Clifford
Olson's, on which media focuses, or are these types of crimes the
exception? --->exception
◉ Profile of most common incarcerated Canadian Offenders
Answer: ~ 52% White
, ~ 92% Male
~ 65% 20-39 years
~ 72% Violent offences
◉ Are police reported crime rates true reflections of crime
committed?
Answer: No
True crime rates in a population are unknown,
all we have are estimate
◉ Four goals of psychology associated with criminality
Answer: Describe, explain, predict and control factors associated
with criminality to reduce crime
◉ Types of factors associated with criminality
Answer: Factors are typically described as distal (historical) and
proximal (immediate, situational)
Within these, many risk factors have been identified through meta-
analytic reviews
When risk factors are present, the likelihood of criminal conduct
increases
To date, most research is correlational
Correlation ≠ causation
BEHAVIOUR 1ST EDITION LYON EXAM
REVIEW TESTED QUESTIONS WITH 100
PERCENT CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ Sociological standpoint on crime
Answer: Sociological - Crime is a socially constructed phenomenon
Society, and the people and norms within, shape and influence what
is acceptable and what is not
Also crime is different in all societies (ex: polygamy, rape within a
marriage
Crimes like theft, robbery and incest are usually pretty agreed on
◉ Definition of crime used in class
Answer: Intentional behaviour that violates a criminal code;
intentional in that is did not occur accidently or without justification
of excuse
◉ What is the Criminal code of Canada
Answer: official document outlining the various acts considered
criminal in Canada.
,Contains detailed definitions and descriptions
intention, enforcement, court process, trials, verdicts, sentencing,
being an accessory to a crime etc.
◉ Why do we care about definitions?
Answer: The definition adopted plays a critical role in
prevalence(proportion of a population found to be involved in
crime)
A more strict definition could decrease crime rate
A more inclusive definition could increase crime rate
◉ Media Influence on Perception of Prevalence (proportion of a
population found to be involved in crime)
Answer: Sensational crimes typically receive front-page billing
Media tends to focus on the sensational stories, misleading the
population of their overall prevalence
We see the big stories, but do they reflect the actual culture of crime
in Canada? -->no
Is Canadian crime dominated by the Paul Bernardo's and Clifford
Olson's, on which media focuses, or are these types of crimes the
exception? --->exception
◉ Profile of most common incarcerated Canadian Offenders
Answer: ~ 52% White
, ~ 92% Male
~ 65% 20-39 years
~ 72% Violent offences
◉ Are police reported crime rates true reflections of crime
committed?
Answer: No
True crime rates in a population are unknown,
all we have are estimate
◉ Four goals of psychology associated with criminality
Answer: Describe, explain, predict and control factors associated
with criminality to reduce crime
◉ Types of factors associated with criminality
Answer: Factors are typically described as distal (historical) and
proximal (immediate, situational)
Within these, many risk factors have been identified through meta-
analytic reviews
When risk factors are present, the likelihood of criminal conduct
increases
To date, most research is correlational
Correlation ≠ causation
