PTI Exam 1 : Theories of Crime: Index
Crime Exam Questions With New
Update Solutions
/. Criminology - Answer-✅scientific study of criminal behavior, its causes, patterns, and
affects upon society
/.The role of theories - Answer-✅Theories in criminology contribute to explaining,
predicting, and preventing crime. They provide general principles that will apply to
similar cases to show how factors influencing crime are interrelated
/.Intro to Criminological theory: Early History - Answer-✅Early theories attempted to
explain criminal behavior as weakness and evil spirits causing that person to commit
crime. Many were based on religion or moral beliefs, rather than research.
/.Detterence theory - Answer-✅Argues that criminal behavior is affected by the costs of
crime (Both in formal and informal punishments)
/.Rational Choice Theory - Answer-✅Argues that Criminal behavior is no different from
noncriminal behavior in that it is conduct that persons intentionally CHOOSE to
undertake, the reason they choose to commit crime is that they think it will be more
rewarding and less costly then noncriminal behavior
/.Classical Theory: Founders/ Importance of the theory - Answer-✅Developed by
Jeremy Bentham and Cesare de Baccaria.
/.Classical School Theories - Answer-✅School of thought that individuals have FREE
WILL to choose whether or not to commit crimes and that criminals should have rights
in the criminal justice system (Caesar Beccaria)
/.Neo-Classsical School Theories - Answer-✅Similar to classical EXCEPT for the
beliefs that there are mitigating circumstances for criminal acts, such as the age or
mental capacity of the offender, and that punishment should fit the crime (Jeremy
Bentham)
/.Classical Theory and it's 4 principles - Answer-✅1. Individuals have the will and
rationality to act according to their own will and desires
2. individuals will calculate the rationality of the crime based on the benefits of the crime
VS the consequences of the crime
, 3. Severity of the punishment should be determined by the severity of the crime to deter
others and reduce crime
4. Punishment must be swift and appropriate to deter others and reduce crime
/.Routine Activity Theory - Answer-✅States that in order for a crime to be committed, 3
specific criteria must be involved.
1. There's a motivated offender
2. A Suitable Target
3. The Absence of a capable guardian
(Used to support rise in cyberbullying)
/.Biological Theories - Answer-✅Bio criminology the study of the role of genetics and
neurophysiologic variables as they relate to criminal behavior
Cesare Lombroso (1835-1909)- Positive school founder
Positive school modern theories of crime: people commit crimes because of
uncontrollable internal or external factors, which can be observed and measured
Atavistic stigmata physical characteristics, representing earlier or pre-human stages of
evolution that were believed to distinguish criminals from others
Lombroso's theory of "Atavistic stigmata" believed criminals were not fully developed
and were throwbacks to primitive man
He believed criminals had physical characteristics such as long arms, large lips,
crooked nose, and excessive body hair, suggesting an ape-like evolution, believed to
distinguish criminals from non-criminals
XYY Chromosome Theory: Patricia Jacobs (1965) discovered some males have an
extra 'Y' chromosome
These so-called 'super males' were found to have higher conviction rates for violent
crime
/.Hard Determinism - Answer-✅Theory that human behavior and actions are wholly
determined by EXTERNAL FACTORS, and therefor humans do not have genuine free
will or ethical accountability.
/.Soft Determinism - Answer-✅Human behavior and actions are wholly determined by
CAUSAL events, but human free will does exist when defined as the capacity to act
according to one's nature (which is shaped by external factors such as heredity, society,
and upbringing)
/.Psychological Theories - Answer-✅Sigmund Freud: Behavior is not a free-will choice,
but controlled by subconscious desires.
Important terms:
The ID: Operates at an unconscious level (Gratification from satisfying basic instincts).
Comprises
the Ego:Develops during early childhood; (child identifies with same sex parent)Ensures
moral standards are followed
Superego: Morality principle: Motivates to adhere to socially excepted norms and
behaviors
Crime Exam Questions With New
Update Solutions
/. Criminology - Answer-✅scientific study of criminal behavior, its causes, patterns, and
affects upon society
/.The role of theories - Answer-✅Theories in criminology contribute to explaining,
predicting, and preventing crime. They provide general principles that will apply to
similar cases to show how factors influencing crime are interrelated
/.Intro to Criminological theory: Early History - Answer-✅Early theories attempted to
explain criminal behavior as weakness and evil spirits causing that person to commit
crime. Many were based on religion or moral beliefs, rather than research.
/.Detterence theory - Answer-✅Argues that criminal behavior is affected by the costs of
crime (Both in formal and informal punishments)
/.Rational Choice Theory - Answer-✅Argues that Criminal behavior is no different from
noncriminal behavior in that it is conduct that persons intentionally CHOOSE to
undertake, the reason they choose to commit crime is that they think it will be more
rewarding and less costly then noncriminal behavior
/.Classical Theory: Founders/ Importance of the theory - Answer-✅Developed by
Jeremy Bentham and Cesare de Baccaria.
/.Classical School Theories - Answer-✅School of thought that individuals have FREE
WILL to choose whether or not to commit crimes and that criminals should have rights
in the criminal justice system (Caesar Beccaria)
/.Neo-Classsical School Theories - Answer-✅Similar to classical EXCEPT for the
beliefs that there are mitigating circumstances for criminal acts, such as the age or
mental capacity of the offender, and that punishment should fit the crime (Jeremy
Bentham)
/.Classical Theory and it's 4 principles - Answer-✅1. Individuals have the will and
rationality to act according to their own will and desires
2. individuals will calculate the rationality of the crime based on the benefits of the crime
VS the consequences of the crime
, 3. Severity of the punishment should be determined by the severity of the crime to deter
others and reduce crime
4. Punishment must be swift and appropriate to deter others and reduce crime
/.Routine Activity Theory - Answer-✅States that in order for a crime to be committed, 3
specific criteria must be involved.
1. There's a motivated offender
2. A Suitable Target
3. The Absence of a capable guardian
(Used to support rise in cyberbullying)
/.Biological Theories - Answer-✅Bio criminology the study of the role of genetics and
neurophysiologic variables as they relate to criminal behavior
Cesare Lombroso (1835-1909)- Positive school founder
Positive school modern theories of crime: people commit crimes because of
uncontrollable internal or external factors, which can be observed and measured
Atavistic stigmata physical characteristics, representing earlier or pre-human stages of
evolution that were believed to distinguish criminals from others
Lombroso's theory of "Atavistic stigmata" believed criminals were not fully developed
and were throwbacks to primitive man
He believed criminals had physical characteristics such as long arms, large lips,
crooked nose, and excessive body hair, suggesting an ape-like evolution, believed to
distinguish criminals from non-criminals
XYY Chromosome Theory: Patricia Jacobs (1965) discovered some males have an
extra 'Y' chromosome
These so-called 'super males' were found to have higher conviction rates for violent
crime
/.Hard Determinism - Answer-✅Theory that human behavior and actions are wholly
determined by EXTERNAL FACTORS, and therefor humans do not have genuine free
will or ethical accountability.
/.Soft Determinism - Answer-✅Human behavior and actions are wholly determined by
CAUSAL events, but human free will does exist when defined as the capacity to act
according to one's nature (which is shaped by external factors such as heredity, society,
and upbringing)
/.Psychological Theories - Answer-✅Sigmund Freud: Behavior is not a free-will choice,
but controlled by subconscious desires.
Important terms:
The ID: Operates at an unconscious level (Gratification from satisfying basic instincts).
Comprises
the Ego:Develops during early childhood; (child identifies with same sex parent)Ensures
moral standards are followed
Superego: Morality principle: Motivates to adhere to socially excepted norms and
behaviors
