chapter 4, choice theory

Question 1

rational choice

Answer 1

view that crime is a function of a decision-making process in which the potential offender weighs the potential costs and benefits of an illegal act

Question 2

choice theory

Answer 2

idea that people choose to engage in delinquent and criminal behaviour after weighing consequences and benefits of their actions

Question 3

classical criminology

Answer 3

theory that:
1. people have free will to choose criminal or conventional behaviours
2. people choose to commit crime for reasons of greed or personal need
3. crime can be controlled only by fear of criminal sanctions

Question 4

structuring crime

Answer 4

according to rational choice approach, the decision to commit crimes regardless of its substance is structured by:
1. where it occurs
2. characteristics of target
3. available means

Question 5

edgework

Answer 5

excitement of successfully executing illegal activities in dangerous situations

Question 6

seductions of crime

Answer 6

situational inducements or immediate benefits that draw offenders into law violations

Question 7

situational crime prevention (SCP)

Answer 7

method of crime prevention that seeks to eliminate or reduce particular crimes in narrow settings

Question 8

displacement

Answer 8

effect of crime prevention efforts in which efforts to control crime in one area shift illegal activities to another

Question 9

extinction

Answer 9

phenomenon in which a crime prevention effort has an immediate impact that then dissipates as criminals adjust to new conditions

Question 10

diffusion of benefits

Answer 10

effect that occurs when efforts to prevent one crime unintentionally prevent another, or when crime control efforts in one locale reduce crime in other non-target areas

Question 11

discouragement

Answer 11

an effect that occurs when limiting access to one target reduces other types of crime as well

Question 12

general deterrence

Answer 12

crime control policy that depends on the fear of criminal penalties, convincing the potential law violator that the pains associated with crime outweigh the benefits

Question 13

crackdown

Answer 13

concentration of police resources on a particular problem area to eradicate or displace criminal activity

Question 14

brutalization effect

Answer 14

belief that capital punishment creates an atmosphere of brutality that enhances rather than deters the level of violence in society

Question 15

informal sanctions

Answer 15

disapproval, stigma, or anger directed towards an offender by significant others (parents, peers, teachers, neighbours) resulting in shame, embarrassment, and loss of respect

Question 16

specific deterrence

Answer 16

view that criminal sanctions should be so powerful that offenders will never repeat their criminal acts

Question 17

incarcerations

Answer 17

confinement in jail or prison

Question 18

recidivism

Answer 18

repetition of criminal behaviour

Question 19

probation

Answer 19

sentence served in community under the supervision of a probation officer and subject to certain conditions

Question 20

stigmatization

Answer 20

ongoing degradation or humiliation in which the offender is branded as an evil person and cast out of society

Question 21

reintegrative shaming

Answer 21

brief and controlled shaming that is followed by forgiveness, apology, repentances, and reconnection with the community

Question 22

incapacitation effect

Answer 22

idea that keeping offenders in confinement will eliminate the risk of their committing further offences

Question 23

three strikes and you’re out

Answer 23

american policy that people convicted of 3 felony offences receive a mandatory life sentence

Question 24

just deserts

Answer 24

principle that those who violate rights of others deserve punishment matching severity of crime, no regard for personal characteristics or circumstances