Chapter 2 - The Crime Picture: Theories and Trends

Question 1

criminology

Answer 1

the scientific study of crime and the causes of criminal behavior

Question 2

correlation

Answer 2

the relationship between two measurements or behaviors that tend to move in the same direction

Question 3

causation

Answer 3

the relationship in which a change in one measurement or behavior creates a recognizable change in another measurement or behavior

Question 4

theory

Answer 4

an explanation of a happening or circumstance that is based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning

Question 5

hypothesis

Answer 5

a possible explanation for an observed occurrence that can be tested by further investigation

Question 6

rational choice theory

Answer 6

a school of criminology that holds that wrongdoers act as if they weigh the possible benefits of criminal or delinquent activity against the expected costs of being apprehended

Question 7

biology

Answer 7

the science of living organisms, including their structure, function, growth and origin

Question 8

psychology

Answer 8

the scientific study of mental processes and behavior

Question 9

hormone

Answer 9

a chemical substance, produced in tissue and conveyed in the bloodstream, that controls certain cellular and body functions such as growth and reproduction

Question 10

testosterone

Answer 10

the hormone primarily responsible for the production of sperm and the development of male secondary sex characteristics such as the growth of facial and pubic hair and the change of voice pitch

Question 11

neurotransmitter

Answer 11

a chemical that transmits nerve impulses between nerve cells and from nerve cells to the brain

Question 12

strain theory

Answer 12

the assumption that crime is the result of frustration felt by individuals who cannot reach their financial and personal goals through legitimate means

Question 13

anomie

Answer 13

a condition in which the individual feels a disconnect from society due to the breakdown or absence of social norms

Question 14

social conflict theories

Answer 14

a school of criminology that views criminal behavior as the result of class conflict

Question 15

social process theories

Answer 15

a school of criminology that considers criminal behavior to be the predictable result of a person’s interaction with his or her environment

Question 16

learning theory

Answer 16

the hypothesis that delinquents and criminals must be taught both the practical and the emotional skills necessary to participate in illegal activity

Question 17

control theory

Answer 17

a series of theories that assume that all individuals have the potential for criminal behavior, but are restrained by the damage that such actions would do to their relationships with family, friends, and members of the community

Question 18

life course criminology

Answer 18

the study of crime based on the belief that behavioral patterns developed in childhood can predict delinquent and criminal behavior later in life

Question 19

drug

Answer 19

any substance that modifies biological, psychological, or social behavior; in particular, an illegal substance with those properties

Question 20

psychoactive drug

Answer 20

a chemical that affects the brain, causing changes in emotions, perceptions, and behavior

Question 21

drug abuse

Answer 21

the use of drugs that results in physical or psychological problems for the user, as well as disruption of personal relationships and employment

Question 22

medical model of addiction

Answer 22

an approach to drug addiction that treats drug abuse as a mental illness and focuses on treating and rehabilitating offenders rather than punishing them

Question 23

criminal model of addiction

Answer 23

an approach to drug abuse that holds that drug offenders harm society by their actions to the same extent as other criminals and should face the same punitive sanctions

Question 24

uniform crime report

Answer 24

an annual report compiled by the FBI to give an indication of criminal activity in the United States

Question 25

part 1 offenses

Answer 25

crimes reported annually by the FBI in its UCR, Part 1 offenses include murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft

Question 26

part 2 offenses

Answer 26

all crimes recorded by the FBI that do not fall into the category of Part 1 offenses. These crimes include both misdemeanors and felonies.

Question 27

victim surveys

Answer 27

a method of gathering crime data that directly surveys participants to determine their experiences as victims of crime

Question 28

dark figure of crime

Answer 28

a term used to describe the actual amount of crime that takes place. The “figure” is “dark” or impossible to detect, because a great number of crimes are never reported to the police

Question 29

self-reported surveys

Answer 29

a method of gathering crime data that relies on participants to reveal and detail their own criminal or delinquent behavior

Question 30

crime victim

Answer 30

any person who suffers physical, emotional, or financial harm as the result of a criminal act

Question 31

repeat victimization

Answer 31

the theory that certain people and places are more likely to be subject to repeated criminal activity and that past victimization is a strong indicator of future victimization