Quiz 1 Flashcards
Were humans more violent in the past then they are today? What kinds of evidence is there for this?
Based on the past 10-20 years humans have become less violent in a sense. Looking at the uniform crime reports we can see a down-tick in crime this includes juvenile crime as well.
Name some of the 9 major topics of study in criminology, and why we study them?
There are nine: Criminal, law agencies, courts, laws, corrections,victims, bystanders, situations, and societies.
Criminal: There are many different types of criminals. We want to understand them in an effort to see signs and prevent crime.
Courts: We study the mistakes in the court system. These include the biases that judges and juries make
Laws: Do they work? Are they effective? What effects do they have?
Define Deviance.
Name something deviant in the US that is not a crime.
Deviance is the behaviors society considers to be inappropriate.
Picking your nose in public is seen as deviant however its not illegal
How does deviance create unity in a group?
A group comes together to come against some. To despise and rally against together.
How can deviance push moral boundaries?
Deviance makes people rethink morals, change attitudes, and thoughts. Thus pushing already concrete morals.
Define Mala in se and Malo prohibita
Give examples of crimes that fit each definition
Mala in se —> felonies
Ex. Murder, rape, assault, treason
Mala prohibita—> Misdemeanors
Ex. Underage drinking, and most drug possession
Why do people commit Crime according to the Classical school or criminology?
Crime is the result of cost and benefit analysis. Humans have free will.
What kinds of factors do psychologist consider when studying criminals?
Psychologist consider environmental factors, social element, biological factors, clinical diagnoses, and profiling.
Which school of criminology argues that the punishment should fit the crime regardless of social circumstances?
The classical school
Why do people commit crimes according to the Positivist school of criminology?
Crime results from institutions that can be fixed. Behaviors are influence by environment and society.
Give your opinion with supporting agruements on:
Will stricter law reduce crime?
No stricter laws will not reduce crime. If anything crime will rise because people want to go against what the law says. Based on both schools of criminology crime is both a choice made by people and influenced by environment. Stricter laws will make institutions weaker and more corrupt leading to the people choosing to commit crimes for advancement.
Give your opinion with supporting agruements on:
Are criminals choosing to commit crimes?
Criminals do choose to commit crime but often this decision is influenced by institutions. If someone is poor and needs money they may make the decision to commit a robbery. Or if a man throws a twisted tea can at you you may be inclined to then assault him.
Give your opinion with supporting agruements on:
Is poverty the primary cause of crime?
No, poverty is one cause of crime but not the primary. There are many factors that could lead to someone committing a crime. This can be seen in the positivist school however when someone chooses to commit a crime is up to them.
Give your opinion with supporting agruements on:
Should we favor the disadvantaged in sentencing?
The disadvantaged should not be favored in sentencing. Everyone decides to commit a crime. And when you commit a crime and are caught it is time for the person to receive the punishment fit for the crime. This can be seen in the classical school of crime an eye for an eye.
Name the four justifications for punishing crime.
Explain them
Retribution:An eye for an eye. You should be punished
Deterrence: Punishments function to deter crime and show how its wrong
Rehabilitation: “Repair” the individual, rectify the individuals issues
Incapacitation: Separate criminals from society
