Ch 4; Measuring Crime

Question 1

Conflict Theories (Structuralist)

Answer 1

Theories, originating primarily w/ Marx, that focus on the unequal distribution of power in society, for example ,due to class, race or gender. Conflicts b/w classes/groups are driven to a large extent by this unequal power + unequal access to resources.

Question 2

Consensus Theories (Positivist)

Answer 2

In opposition to conflict theories, consensus theories, originate w/ Durkheim, hold that society functions through social bonds + collective beliefs, + is characterized by widespread acceptance of values, norms,+ laws

Question 3

Dark Figure of Crime

Answer 3

Refers to the variation b/w the number of crimes that occur + the number of crimes that are actually reported to the police. (Large number of crimes go unreported)

Question 4

Constructionist

Answer 4

Emphasize the idea that life does not come w/ categories + labels, + that we understand + define the world on the basis of our socialization + interactions w/ others.

Question 5

Integrationist

Answer 5

A combination of structuralist, positivist, + constructionist approaches in criminology facilitating the inclusion of philosophy + sociology of law, the empirical study of crime, + its interpretation by those who control + implement the law.

Question 6

Crime Funnel

Answer 6

A model indicating that the actual total quantity of crime is much higher than the decreasing proportion that is detected, reported, prosecuted, + punished.

Question 7

Clearance Rates

Answer 7

The proportion of criminal incidents solved by the police. A crime is cleared when the police believe they have found its perpetrator.

Question 8

Victimless Crime

Answer 8

Actions (often perpetrated consensually) that are ruled illegal but do not directly violate, or threaten the rights of other individuals.

Question 9

Sampling

Answer 9

In statistics, the selection of a subset of the population in such a way that will allow the results of ones research to be generalized to the population as a whole.

Question 10

Memory Fade

Answer 10

The phenomenon whereby a survey participant forgets about a victimization that has taken place.

Question 11

Telescoping

Answer 11

The phenomenon whereby a survey participant recalls events as having occurred more recently than is the actual case.

Question 12

Cybercrime

Answer 12

Crime committed over the internet/ a computer network.