CJ 305 Exam 3 Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update 2025/2026
How do social control theories differ from the criminological theories we have discussed so far?
- Answers They ask the question of "why DON'T people commit crime?"
"Patty has strong attachments to her family and friends, and she excels in her high school.
However, Patty frequently smokes cigarettes, drinks alcohol, and sells marijuana." How would
containment theorists explain Patty's behavior? - Answers According to social bond theory, she
should be less likely to commit delinquent acts (with her strong attachments), but she's not. She
has strong outer containment, but a weak self-concept and poor inner containment (impulsive,
poor inner controls).
Henry has a job at a large bank and was recently promoted. An opportunity presents itself for
Henry to steal a large amount of money. Henry resists temptation because he does not want to
lose his promotion or his job. - Answers Commitment
Susan is very close to several of the teachers at her high school and has a good relationship
with her parents. After school one day, another student asks Susan if she wants to go drink at a
park nearby. Susan refuses to go because she does not want her teachers or parents to find out
and be disappointed. - Answers Attachment
Beth's parents are both law-abiding citizens, and she was raised to follow the rules in both
school and in society. Beth is with her friends one day and they decide to steal someone's
bicycle. Beth refuses because she does not want to break the law. - Answers Belief
Phil is in several advanced classes this semester and engages in track, soccer, and choir. Some
of his friends want to go to the mall and steal a new pair of shoes. Phil does not go because he
has practice and needs to study for an exam. - Answers Involvement
According to the General Theory of Crime (i.e., self-control theory), at what age does someone's
level of self-control become stable? - Answers 8
"Ben had a good relationship with his parents when he was little. His parents divorced when he
was 6. His mom started working two jobs and his dad moved out of state. As Ben started
school, he began skipping class, drinking alcohol, and spray-painting local businesses. Anytime
he was caught, he would deny responsibility." How would drift theory explain Ben's behavior? -
Answers Because of his stress/pressures in his life, he becomes delinquent and then uses
defense mechanisms (ex: deny responsibility) to justify his delinquency. He has the same
values as other law abiding individuals.
"Ben had a good relationship with his parents when he was little. His parents divorced when he
was 6. His mom started working two jobs and his dad moved out of state. As Ben started
school, he began skipping class, drinking alcohol, and spray-painting local businesses. Anytime
he was caught, he would deny responsibility." How would containment theory explain Ben's
behavior? - Answers His self-concept is not strong enough and is impulsive.
, "Ben had a good relationship with his parents when he was little. His parents divorced when he
was 6. His mom started working two jobs and his dad moved out of state. As Ben started
school, he began skipping class, drinking alcohol, and spray-painting local businesses. Anytime
he was caught, he would deny responsibility." How would social bond theory explain Ben's
behavior? - Answers He no longer has good attachment to his parents, which then leads him to
not care if he disappoints them.
"Ben had a good relationship with his parents when he was little. His parents divorced when he
was 6. His mom started working two jobs and his dad moved out of state. As Ben started
school, he began skipping class, drinking alcohol, and spray-painting local businesses. Anytime
he was caught, he would deny responsibility." How would self-control theory explain Ben's
behavior? - Answers He doesn't care about long-term consequence and is impulsive, seeks
adventure, etc. - lower level of self control.
Many adolescents engage in minor forms of delinquency when they are young and then
transition out during adulthood (i.e., aging-out phenomenon). How would informal social control
theory explain this pattern of behavior from childhood to adulthood? - Answers When one is
younger, they don't have much social capital - as one grows up, social capital (marriage, children,
etc.) helps them stay away from crime. Starts with weak attachments but the individual
eventually grows out of it.
Many adolescents engage in minor forms of delinquency when they are young and then
transition out during adulthood (i.e., aging-out phenomenon). How would Moffitt's life course
theory explain this pattern? - Answers Adolescent-limited experience; biological/social gap
during puberty.
Some individuals engage in criminal behavior throughout their entire life. How would informal
social control theory explain this pattern of behavior over the lifespan? - Answers Their social
capital is low/weak, so they are still delinquent. Starts out with weak attachments and continues
with weak attachments.
Some individuals engage in criminal behavior throughout their entire life. How would Moffitt's
life course theory explain this pattern? - Answers Life course persistent (deficits, engage in
crime at a young age, etc.)
How does labeling theory differ from more traditional perspectives on crime? - Answers
Traditional examines influence of biological, psychological, social factors; labeling conflicts
views and focuses on the process of defining someone as "criminal" and how that influences
continuance of criminality
_________ is where individuals engage in minor forms of delinquent behavior, but still view
themselves as "normal". - Answers Primary deviance
_________ is where individuals begin to internalize the "criminal" label and self-identify with it as
How do social control theories differ from the criminological theories we have discussed so far?
- Answers They ask the question of "why DON'T people commit crime?"
"Patty has strong attachments to her family and friends, and she excels in her high school.
However, Patty frequently smokes cigarettes, drinks alcohol, and sells marijuana." How would
containment theorists explain Patty's behavior? - Answers According to social bond theory, she
should be less likely to commit delinquent acts (with her strong attachments), but she's not. She
has strong outer containment, but a weak self-concept and poor inner containment (impulsive,
poor inner controls).
Henry has a job at a large bank and was recently promoted. An opportunity presents itself for
Henry to steal a large amount of money. Henry resists temptation because he does not want to
lose his promotion or his job. - Answers Commitment
Susan is very close to several of the teachers at her high school and has a good relationship
with her parents. After school one day, another student asks Susan if she wants to go drink at a
park nearby. Susan refuses to go because she does not want her teachers or parents to find out
and be disappointed. - Answers Attachment
Beth's parents are both law-abiding citizens, and she was raised to follow the rules in both
school and in society. Beth is with her friends one day and they decide to steal someone's
bicycle. Beth refuses because she does not want to break the law. - Answers Belief
Phil is in several advanced classes this semester and engages in track, soccer, and choir. Some
of his friends want to go to the mall and steal a new pair of shoes. Phil does not go because he
has practice and needs to study for an exam. - Answers Involvement
According to the General Theory of Crime (i.e., self-control theory), at what age does someone's
level of self-control become stable? - Answers 8
"Ben had a good relationship with his parents when he was little. His parents divorced when he
was 6. His mom started working two jobs and his dad moved out of state. As Ben started
school, he began skipping class, drinking alcohol, and spray-painting local businesses. Anytime
he was caught, he would deny responsibility." How would drift theory explain Ben's behavior? -
Answers Because of his stress/pressures in his life, he becomes delinquent and then uses
defense mechanisms (ex: deny responsibility) to justify his delinquency. He has the same
values as other law abiding individuals.
"Ben had a good relationship with his parents when he was little. His parents divorced when he
was 6. His mom started working two jobs and his dad moved out of state. As Ben started
school, he began skipping class, drinking alcohol, and spray-painting local businesses. Anytime
he was caught, he would deny responsibility." How would containment theory explain Ben's
behavior? - Answers His self-concept is not strong enough and is impulsive.
, "Ben had a good relationship with his parents when he was little. His parents divorced when he
was 6. His mom started working two jobs and his dad moved out of state. As Ben started
school, he began skipping class, drinking alcohol, and spray-painting local businesses. Anytime
he was caught, he would deny responsibility." How would social bond theory explain Ben's
behavior? - Answers He no longer has good attachment to his parents, which then leads him to
not care if he disappoints them.
"Ben had a good relationship with his parents when he was little. His parents divorced when he
was 6. His mom started working two jobs and his dad moved out of state. As Ben started
school, he began skipping class, drinking alcohol, and spray-painting local businesses. Anytime
he was caught, he would deny responsibility." How would self-control theory explain Ben's
behavior? - Answers He doesn't care about long-term consequence and is impulsive, seeks
adventure, etc. - lower level of self control.
Many adolescents engage in minor forms of delinquency when they are young and then
transition out during adulthood (i.e., aging-out phenomenon). How would informal social control
theory explain this pattern of behavior from childhood to adulthood? - Answers When one is
younger, they don't have much social capital - as one grows up, social capital (marriage, children,
etc.) helps them stay away from crime. Starts with weak attachments but the individual
eventually grows out of it.
Many adolescents engage in minor forms of delinquency when they are young and then
transition out during adulthood (i.e., aging-out phenomenon). How would Moffitt's life course
theory explain this pattern? - Answers Adolescent-limited experience; biological/social gap
during puberty.
Some individuals engage in criminal behavior throughout their entire life. How would informal
social control theory explain this pattern of behavior over the lifespan? - Answers Their social
capital is low/weak, so they are still delinquent. Starts out with weak attachments and continues
with weak attachments.
Some individuals engage in criminal behavior throughout their entire life. How would Moffitt's
life course theory explain this pattern? - Answers Life course persistent (deficits, engage in
crime at a young age, etc.)
How does labeling theory differ from more traditional perspectives on crime? - Answers
Traditional examines influence of biological, psychological, social factors; labeling conflicts
views and focuses on the process of defining someone as "criminal" and how that influences
continuance of criminality
_________ is where individuals engage in minor forms of delinquent behavior, but still view
themselves as "normal". - Answers Primary deviance
_________ is where individuals begin to internalize the "criminal" label and self-identify with it as
