SOC109 Test 2 Questions and Correct
Answers.
Pre-Modern/Pre-Classical Approach to Criminology - Answer -Evil spirits were controlling
those who committed crimes
-People were seen as "Fundamentally Good"
-During a time when fewer laws existed with limited structure
-Ended with "The Enlightenment which saw reason emphasized
Classical Theory Approach to Criminology - Answer -Humans have free will and rationality
-Committing crimes is weighed between the benefits against the potential punishment
-Primary purpose of punishment is deterrence over vengeance
-Punishments should be individualized and proportional
What are the two main objectives of punishment - Answer General Deterrence: Discouraging
society from committing a crime
Specific Deterrence: Discouraging an individual who has committed a crime from doing so again
Neo-Classical Approach to Criminology - Answer -"Just deserts" where punishment is equal
to the crime
The three major deterrents effects: - Answer Certainty: Acknowledging a punishment for
committing a crime
Celerity: How quickly punishment will occur
Severity: How long the punishment will be
Rational Choice Theory Approach to Criminology - Answer -The decision making process that
analyzes benefits and costs of commiting a crime
-If the costs are outweighed, crime is more likely to occur
-Looks at how offenders and non-offenders follow the same thought process, just value different
things differently
-Include "Involvement Decisions" and "Event Decisions"
What are Involvement Decisions? What are Event Decisions? - Answer Involvement:
-Determines if one will take part in a crime
-Takes in many variables, Takes longer to decide
, -(background factors, price experiences)
Event:
-Determines how one participates in a crime
-Immediate, Situational decisions
-(how much security, how many people around, lighting)
Routine Activities Theory Approach to Criminology - Answer -Crimes require a motivated
offender, a suitable target and a lack of capable guardianship
-The guardianship can be formal (police, security camera/system) or informal (friend,
neighbour)
Situational Crime Prevention - Answer Shifts in the environment to reduce offenses, easier to
reduce high-crime areas than high-crime people
-Increasing the perceived effort of crime (screenings at entry points)
-Increasing the risk of crime (speed cameras, CCTV cameras)
-Reducing the rewards of crime (merchandise tags)
-Reducing the provocations of crime (crowd control lines)
-Reducing excuses (clear instructions, signage)
Explain "Law is Layered" - Answer -The Federalist system sees layered laws from local to
national levels
-Federal laws take precedence when law conflicts arise
-Leads to Judicial Review
Examples of Legal Innovations that lead to Legal Discrimination - Answer -Mandatory
contracts for adults (Inequality)
-Apprenticeship for children (exploitation)
-Wage fixing (form of collusion)
-Vagrancy laws (targets marginalized groups through social order)
-Convict Leasing (exploitation and injustice)
Explain Black Codes. - Answer Southern state laws intended to restrict the rights of African
Americans in attempts to maintain white supremacy
Answers.
Pre-Modern/Pre-Classical Approach to Criminology - Answer -Evil spirits were controlling
those who committed crimes
-People were seen as "Fundamentally Good"
-During a time when fewer laws existed with limited structure
-Ended with "The Enlightenment which saw reason emphasized
Classical Theory Approach to Criminology - Answer -Humans have free will and rationality
-Committing crimes is weighed between the benefits against the potential punishment
-Primary purpose of punishment is deterrence over vengeance
-Punishments should be individualized and proportional
What are the two main objectives of punishment - Answer General Deterrence: Discouraging
society from committing a crime
Specific Deterrence: Discouraging an individual who has committed a crime from doing so again
Neo-Classical Approach to Criminology - Answer -"Just deserts" where punishment is equal
to the crime
The three major deterrents effects: - Answer Certainty: Acknowledging a punishment for
committing a crime
Celerity: How quickly punishment will occur
Severity: How long the punishment will be
Rational Choice Theory Approach to Criminology - Answer -The decision making process that
analyzes benefits and costs of commiting a crime
-If the costs are outweighed, crime is more likely to occur
-Looks at how offenders and non-offenders follow the same thought process, just value different
things differently
-Include "Involvement Decisions" and "Event Decisions"
What are Involvement Decisions? What are Event Decisions? - Answer Involvement:
-Determines if one will take part in a crime
-Takes in many variables, Takes longer to decide
, -(background factors, price experiences)
Event:
-Determines how one participates in a crime
-Immediate, Situational decisions
-(how much security, how many people around, lighting)
Routine Activities Theory Approach to Criminology - Answer -Crimes require a motivated
offender, a suitable target and a lack of capable guardianship
-The guardianship can be formal (police, security camera/system) or informal (friend,
neighbour)
Situational Crime Prevention - Answer Shifts in the environment to reduce offenses, easier to
reduce high-crime areas than high-crime people
-Increasing the perceived effort of crime (screenings at entry points)
-Increasing the risk of crime (speed cameras, CCTV cameras)
-Reducing the rewards of crime (merchandise tags)
-Reducing the provocations of crime (crowd control lines)
-Reducing excuses (clear instructions, signage)
Explain "Law is Layered" - Answer -The Federalist system sees layered laws from local to
national levels
-Federal laws take precedence when law conflicts arise
-Leads to Judicial Review
Examples of Legal Innovations that lead to Legal Discrimination - Answer -Mandatory
contracts for adults (Inequality)
-Apprenticeship for children (exploitation)
-Wage fixing (form of collusion)
-Vagrancy laws (targets marginalized groups through social order)
-Convict Leasing (exploitation and injustice)
Explain Black Codes. - Answer Southern state laws intended to restrict the rights of African
Americans in attempts to maintain white supremacy
