Chapter 3

Question 1

Choice Theory

Answer 1

Offenders are rational decision makers who engage in crime because they believe it will be beneficial

Question 2

Trait Theory

Answer 2

Delinquent acts are the product of personal problems and conditions

Question 3

Choice Theory continued

Answer 3

1st official explanation of crime

Assumed people are motivated by greed, survival, revenge, hedonism (pursuit of pleasure)

Beccaria and Bentham believed people weighed the costs and benefits of their actions

Question 4

Routine Activities

Answer 4

Choice is based on “opportunity”

3 variables:

1. Absence of guardians
2. Motivated offenders
3. Availability of suitable targets

Question 5

General deterrence

Answer 5

Choice to be delinquent can be controlled by punishment

Must be swift, certain and severe

Some argue against deterrence because of parens patrie
Some argue that minors are less capable of wise decision making
Many minors commit crimes on drugs/alcohol

Question 6

Co-offending

Answer 6

Crimes committed in groups

Question 7

Specific deterrence

Answer 7

Punish offenders severely so they won’t repeat their acts

Placing young offenders on probation in state facilities to prevent the repeat of the ordeal

Little evidence that it works
Young offenders incarcerated more likely to become adult offenders
Stigmatizes young offenders
Incarceration affects future employment

Question 8

Situational crime prevention

Answer 8

Increase efforts
Increase risks
Reduce awards
Increase shame

Question 9

Sociobiology

Answer 9

Behavior will adapt to the environment in which it evolved

Question 10

Biochemical

Answer 10

Abnormal body chemistry (excessive iron, lead poisoning, etc.)
Diet and Delinquency (studies have found link between diet and agressive behavior patterns)
Hormonal functions (antisocial behavior peaks during teen years because hormonal activity is at it's highest level)

Question 11

Neurological Dysfunction

Answer 11

Children may have neurological deficits such as damage to the brain or minimal brain dysfunction (MBD)
Impairment to brain may be present at birth
Brain injuries that occur later in life (accidental injury, sexual abuse, beatings by parent, etc.)
Learning disabilities

Question 12

Psychodynamic theory

Answer 12

Originated with Freud

Law violators are a product of abnormal personality formed early in life

Personality contains 3 elements:
Id- unrestrained, pleasure seeking
Ego- develops through living in the world
Superego- conscience and moral rules

If one aspect becomes dominant, abnormal behavior occurs

Question 13

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Answer 13

Uncooperative, defiant, and hostile behavior towards authority figures

Question 14

Conduct disorder

Answer 14

Difficulty following rules and behaving in a socially acceptable way