SQA National 5 Modern Studies - Crime & the Law Practice Questions & Answers
What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Events that can impact on a child from a young age. Evidence suggests that
children with ACES are more likely to end up in prison.
How is Social Pressure a cuase of crime? Peer pressure may result in young people in particular getting involved in criminal
activity. Men may also be pressured to 'act the man' and take part in violent crimes.
How is Drugs and alcohol a cause of crime? This can lead to crime for two reasons. Someone may commit a crime to fund or
meet their addiction while others might commit a crime while under the influence of
substances because they can affect understanding of what is right and wrong.
How is Greed a cuase of crime? This is when someone has the very selfish desire to get more and more of
something and this is often money. It may be out of jealousy or to live a life that they
cannot afford.
How is Unemployment a cause of crime? If someone doesn't have the skills they need to get a job that pays enough to have
a good life then they would be unemployed. This might mean that they have fewer
options to make a living legally and so resort to illegal jobs.
How is Poverty a cause of crime? For those who cannot afford the basics to survive in life they may turn to crime to
provide what they can't afford. This could be any crimes of dishonesty.
How are Hormones a cause of crime? Hormones in our body affect our growth and also our brains. Men have higher levels
of the hormone testosterone than women which often make them historically more
aggressive and prone to higher risk taking.
How is a Mental disorder a cause of crime? Someone with the mental disorder of psychopathy are people who may seem like
most of society but in fact often lack remorse or feel little empathy for others.
How is Brain Development a cause of crime? Medical analysis has shown that young people's brains do not fully develop until
they are at least 25.
How is Social exclusion an impact on the perpetrator? A criminal record can result in social exclusion making it harder for those who have
committed crimes to participate in their communities. People in society can refuse
contact with them after they have been convicted.
How is Loss of job an impact on the perpetrator? A criminal record can result in a loss of a job or unemployment. If someone is sent
to prison or is caught committing a crime in the workplace this can lead to dismissal.
How is Homelessness an impact on the perpetrator? The perpetrator may either have been imprisoned and have struggled to maintain
accommodation on release. Or they may also not have the job/funds to pay for
accommodation.
How is Injury or Death an impact on the victim? If a someone is a victim of a violent or traffic crime this can result in injury. If
someone is a victim of murder then the consequence is death.
How is Loss of money an impact on the victim? Criminals may steal items from individuals or a family home. Victims may also be
victims of fraud which can result in loss of money.
How is Negative mental health an impact on the victim? The impact of a crime may have long term impact on the victim's mental health.
They may suffer from anxiety or PTSD.
Stuvia 2026-2027
, SQA National 5 Modern Studies - Crime & the Law Practice Questions & Answers
How is Breakdown in care an impact on families? When a family member goes to prison it can result in a breakdown of family
relationships. It can also result in a lack of care for children involved.
How is Loss of money an impact on families? Families may struggle to pay the costs associated with a funeral. Families may also
have to deal with the loss of an income, if the victim can no longer work, or the
perpetrator loses their job.
What is an example of ACEs causing crime? People are 20x more likely to be in prison in their life if they have a troubled family
background.
What is an example of social pressure causing crime? Around 80% of domestic abuse cases, which are crimes that are all about control,
had a male perpetrator and a female victim.
What is an example of drugs & alcohol a cause of crime? Just under 2/3rds of violent crime is committed while someone is under the
influence of alcohol.
Greed example Former SNP MP sentenced to 2 years in jail in 2022 after admitting embezzling
£25,000 from the SNP and Pro-Independence Groups.
Poverty example Around 25% of all crimes of dishonesty are when people steal from shops items
such as food and clothing.
Hormone example Around 90% of all prisoners in a Scottish prison are male compared to 10% who are
female.
Brain development example Introduced in 2022, these take into account the age of a criminal when the offence
was committed. Younger prisoners are likelier to receive a shorter sentence.
Homelessness statistic 13.2% of offenders released from prison were released into homelessness,
according to the BBC.
Cost on families example The average cost of a funeral was over £4,000.
Example of social exclusion Family members of a perpetrator may be targeted by members of the community.
This could be through harassment or property vandalism.
How is Loss of tourism an impact on the community? Visitor numbers to an area may be impacted by a particular crime or if an area
develops a reputation for crime. This may lead to businesses losing money.
How is Fear an impact on the community? The aftermath of a crime can often lead to increased fear within the local community
especially if the perpetrator has not been caught. This can especially affect women
and the elderly.
How is House prices falling an impact on the community? High levels of crime in an area can impact on house prices. This is because it can
make them more difficult to sell.
Stuvia 2026-2027
What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Events that can impact on a child from a young age. Evidence suggests that
children with ACES are more likely to end up in prison.
How is Social Pressure a cuase of crime? Peer pressure may result in young people in particular getting involved in criminal
activity. Men may also be pressured to 'act the man' and take part in violent crimes.
How is Drugs and alcohol a cause of crime? This can lead to crime for two reasons. Someone may commit a crime to fund or
meet their addiction while others might commit a crime while under the influence of
substances because they can affect understanding of what is right and wrong.
How is Greed a cuase of crime? This is when someone has the very selfish desire to get more and more of
something and this is often money. It may be out of jealousy or to live a life that they
cannot afford.
How is Unemployment a cause of crime? If someone doesn't have the skills they need to get a job that pays enough to have
a good life then they would be unemployed. This might mean that they have fewer
options to make a living legally and so resort to illegal jobs.
How is Poverty a cause of crime? For those who cannot afford the basics to survive in life they may turn to crime to
provide what they can't afford. This could be any crimes of dishonesty.
How are Hormones a cause of crime? Hormones in our body affect our growth and also our brains. Men have higher levels
of the hormone testosterone than women which often make them historically more
aggressive and prone to higher risk taking.
How is a Mental disorder a cause of crime? Someone with the mental disorder of psychopathy are people who may seem like
most of society but in fact often lack remorse or feel little empathy for others.
How is Brain Development a cause of crime? Medical analysis has shown that young people's brains do not fully develop until
they are at least 25.
How is Social exclusion an impact on the perpetrator? A criminal record can result in social exclusion making it harder for those who have
committed crimes to participate in their communities. People in society can refuse
contact with them after they have been convicted.
How is Loss of job an impact on the perpetrator? A criminal record can result in a loss of a job or unemployment. If someone is sent
to prison or is caught committing a crime in the workplace this can lead to dismissal.
How is Homelessness an impact on the perpetrator? The perpetrator may either have been imprisoned and have struggled to maintain
accommodation on release. Or they may also not have the job/funds to pay for
accommodation.
How is Injury or Death an impact on the victim? If a someone is a victim of a violent or traffic crime this can result in injury. If
someone is a victim of murder then the consequence is death.
How is Loss of money an impact on the victim? Criminals may steal items from individuals or a family home. Victims may also be
victims of fraud which can result in loss of money.
How is Negative mental health an impact on the victim? The impact of a crime may have long term impact on the victim's mental health.
They may suffer from anxiety or PTSD.
Stuvia 2026-2027
, SQA National 5 Modern Studies - Crime & the Law Practice Questions & Answers
How is Breakdown in care an impact on families? When a family member goes to prison it can result in a breakdown of family
relationships. It can also result in a lack of care for children involved.
How is Loss of money an impact on families? Families may struggle to pay the costs associated with a funeral. Families may also
have to deal with the loss of an income, if the victim can no longer work, or the
perpetrator loses their job.
What is an example of ACEs causing crime? People are 20x more likely to be in prison in their life if they have a troubled family
background.
What is an example of social pressure causing crime? Around 80% of domestic abuse cases, which are crimes that are all about control,
had a male perpetrator and a female victim.
What is an example of drugs & alcohol a cause of crime? Just under 2/3rds of violent crime is committed while someone is under the
influence of alcohol.
Greed example Former SNP MP sentenced to 2 years in jail in 2022 after admitting embezzling
£25,000 from the SNP and Pro-Independence Groups.
Poverty example Around 25% of all crimes of dishonesty are when people steal from shops items
such as food and clothing.
Hormone example Around 90% of all prisoners in a Scottish prison are male compared to 10% who are
female.
Brain development example Introduced in 2022, these take into account the age of a criminal when the offence
was committed. Younger prisoners are likelier to receive a shorter sentence.
Homelessness statistic 13.2% of offenders released from prison were released into homelessness,
according to the BBC.
Cost on families example The average cost of a funeral was over £4,000.
Example of social exclusion Family members of a perpetrator may be targeted by members of the community.
This could be through harassment or property vandalism.
How is Loss of tourism an impact on the community? Visitor numbers to an area may be impacted by a particular crime or if an area
develops a reputation for crime. This may lead to businesses losing money.
How is Fear an impact on the community? The aftermath of a crime can often lead to increased fear within the local community
especially if the perpetrator has not been caught. This can especially affect women
and the elderly.
How is House prices falling an impact on the community? High levels of crime in an area can impact on house prices. This is because it can
make them more difficult to sell.
Stuvia 2026-2027
