Offenders & Offending

Question 1

Thanks to theories of criminal behaviour, we know that crime and mental health are very closely correlated. True or false?

Answer 1

False

(The link between crime and mental health is not as convincing as we think it is.)

Question 2

People who abuse animals are likely to then go on to murder people. True or false?

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Which original “school of thought” views crime as a choice and is closely related to free will and hedonism?

Answer 3

The classical school of criminology (Classical)

Question 4

Which original “school of thought” relies heavily on science, data analysis and a “punishment must fit the criminal” stance?

Answer 4

The positivist school of criminology (Positivist)

Question 5

Theories of criminal behaviour tend to focus more on violent crime (e.g. homocide, sexual assault) than less violent crimes. True or false?

Answer 5

True

(This is most likely because violent crimes elicit more fearful/emotional responses.)

Question 6

That crime is a result of social & cultural forces which are external to the criminal is a ___ theory of criminal behaviour:

Answer 6

Sociological

Question 7

Theories which explain crime as a result of dysfunctional social arrangements (e.g. poor education, unemployment) are:

Answer 7

Structural

Question 8

What theories of criminal behaviour attribute crime to “getting in with the wrong crowd”?

Answer 8

Subcultural

Question 9

Socio-psychological theories explain that crime is the product of both environmental and _____ factors.

Answer 9

Individual

Question 10

The Bobo doll experiment demonstrates which theory of criminal behaviour?

Answer 10

Learning theory

Question 11

Which theory suggests that, contrary to the learning theory, people must learn NOT to commit crime (in other words, crimes are committed in the absence of learning):

Answer 11

Control

Question 12

____ conditioning and ____ conditioning are two famous theories of learning:

Answer 12

Operant, classical

Question 13

Theories that crime results from someone’s personality are:

Answer 13

Psychological

Question 14

According to Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, what are the 3 components of the human psyche?

Answer 14

Id, Ego, Superego

Question 15

Psychopathy is the most valid and reliable theory of criminal behaviour: true or false?

Answer 15

False

(Psychopathy is not a very good construct and is often criticised in literature.)

Question 16

The torturous and unethical Oak Ridge Experiment used what theory of criminal behaviour as its methodology?

Answer 16

Psychopathy

Question 17

Name the DSM-5 disorder that best explains criminal behaviour:

Answer 17

Anti-social personality disorder/ASPD

Question 18

The act of trying to obtain a sufficient level of sensory input (e.g. through risky activities like solo climbing) is called:

Answer 18

Sensation-seeking

Question 19

Name the part of the brain responsible for fear and anxiety responses:

Answer 19

Amygdala

(It commonly thought that those who participate in risky or criminal behaviours have lower-functioning amygdalas, hence a lack of fear or concern regarding what they are doing.)

Question 20

Theories that behaviour is mostly if not completely dependent on genetics are:

Answer 20

Biological

Question 21

If a monozygotic twin frequently commits crime or engages in risky behaviours, then their twin will also likely have criminal tendencies. True or false?

Answer 21

True

(Check notes on concordance rates - identical/monozygotic twins share 100% of their genetic material. If the biological theory is true and criminal behaviours are inherited, then a monozygotic twin who commits crime will almost definitely have a twin with the same or similar tendencies.)

Question 22

Biology tends to have a stronger effect on behaviour than environment. True or false?

Answer 22

True

Question 23

The improper functioning of which gene, in combination with deprived childhood experiences, is associated with criminal behaviour?

Answer 23

MAOA

Question 24

The “offending peak” is a change in the what of crimes committed?

Answer 24

Prevalence

(Prevalence - the number of people willing to offend.)

Question 25

Moffitt (1993) suggested that there are 2 types of antisocial behaviour (ASB.) These are:

Answer 25

Life-persistent, adolescence-limited ASB

Question 26

Lack of exposure to role models, waning motivations, shifting contingencies, option to change and lack of what may cause young people to change their anti-social behaviours?

Answer 26

The maturity gap

(The maturity gap illustrates the desire for young people to be or be perceived as “older”)

Question 27

Copying other people’s anti-social behaviour is an example of:

Answer 27

Social mimicry