Criminology

Question 1

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 1

Learning by consequence

Question 2

Describe positive and negative reinforcement

Answer 2

Positive: receiving something pleasant for our behaviour, so we repeat it
Negative: the avoidance of something unpleasant, so we do it again

Question 3

Describe positive and negative punishment

Answer 3

Positive: receive something unpleasant
Negative: remove something pleasant

Question 4

What is a primary reinforcer ?

Answer 4

A reinforcer that satisfies a biological need

Question 5

What are the strengths and weaknesses of operant conditioning to explain criminality

Answer 5

Strength-it can explain a wide number of crimes

Weakness-reductionist (ignores other motivations for criminality)

Question 6

Which two pieces of evidence support the biological theory of criminality?

Answer 6

Monozygotic twins

Adoption studies

Question 7

What does Eysenck’s personality questionnaire measure? (EPQ)

Answer 7

Extroversion/introversion
Stable/unstable neuroticism
Psychoticism

Question 8

What type of nervous system to people with a high E score have?

Answer 8

They have a nervous system that has a low arousal level, so they seek external stimulation to raise their arousal levels
Introverts are the opposite

Question 9

What type of score do criminals have on the personality test?

Answer 9

A high PEN score

They are psychotic extroverted and neurotic

Question 10

What are the five stages of the modelling process in the social learning theory?

Answer 10

Attention
Retention
Reproduction (being able to model the new behaviour)
Motivation (pleasure/reward obtained from this behaviour)
Identification (adopting the beliefs and values of a role model or group)

Question 11

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the social learning theory to explain criminality?

Answer 11

Strength-lots of evidence (Bandura study Bobo doll)

Weakness-cannot be tested in real life (ethical reasons)

Question 12

What do people with a high P score and a high N score of the EPQ test have?

Answer 12

P - lack compassion

N - over responsive nervous system and tend to over react

Question 13

Prison is based on the principles of operant conditioning and is both positive punishment and negative punishment. What are the strengths and weaknesses of prison?

Answer 13

Strengths-removes criminals from public life and keeps the public safe
Weaknesses-exposed to other criminals and may learn from them

Question 14

What are the strengths and weaknesses of community sentencing?

Answer 14

Strengths-gives back to the community and is cheaper

Weaknesses-not an deterrent, recidivism in higher (rate of reoffending)

Question 15

Restorative justice is when the offender meets up with the affect him in a safe neutral environment. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this?

Answer 15

Strengths-recidivism reduced by 14%

Weaknesses-can be distressing and is time-consuming and costly

Question 16

What is token economy?

Answer 16

A type of operant conditioning used in rehabilitation. It rewards prisoners for pro social behaviour

Question 17

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the token economy program?

Answer 17

Strengths-increases pro social behaviour and is cost-effective
Weaknesses-doesn’t prevent reoffending and needs commitment from staff

Question 18

What is an anger management program?

Answer 18

It is a cognitive behavioural treatment for violent offenders to help them control their anger. It is used in rehabilitation

Question 19

What are the three stages of anger management treatment?

Answer 19

Cognitive preparation-offender reflects on what makes them angry
Skills acquisition-offender learns new skills to help control anger
Application of practice-role-play of scenarios

Question 20

What are the strengths and weaknesses of anger management treatment?

Answer 20

Strengths-offenders are carefully selected, as not all violent crimes are related to anger
Weaknesses-psychopaths can become more dangerous due to learning new skills