Test 1 Chapters 1-5 Terms

Question 1

Status offenses

Answer 1

Delinquent behavior that is not punishable under a state penal code

Question 2

Types of status offenses

Answer 2

Curfew violation, running away, school truancy, alcohol violations

Question 3

Common juvenile offenses

Answer 3

Theft, vandalism, shoplifting, drug/alcohol abuse, disorderly conduct, simple assaults

Question 4

Official measures of delinquency

Answer 4

Records from police, courts, and corrections. UCR&NIBRS

Uniform Crime Report, National incident-based reporting system

Question 5

Unofficial measures of delinquency

Answer 5

Self report measures and victimization surveys. National youth survey&NCVS
national crime victimization survey

Question 6

Self-report measures

Answer 6

Confidential questionnaires where youth voluntarily report on their own involvement in delinquency

Question 7

Victimization surveys

Answer 7

Asks respondents whether and how often the have been victims of crime. Asks about perpetrators and circumstances

Question 8

Parents patriae

Answer 8

Gives state authority to take custody of a juvenile in certain circumstances

Question 9

In loco parentis

Answer 9

The state’s right to make decisions concerning the best interest of a juvenile

Question 10

House of refuge

Answer 10

First attempt to separate child offenders and adult offenders. Started in Boston in 1847.

Question 11

Reform schools

Answer 11

Intended for education and treatment, not punishment. Hard work, strict regimentation, and whippings were common. Discrimination was present. General abuse by staff and peers.

Question 12

“Child Savers”

Answer 12

Middle-class citizens concerned about the welfare of children in the mid 1900s. Pushed for heavy state intervention for at-risk children.

Question 13

Juvenile justice and delinquency prevention act

Answer 13

In 1968 this act recommended that status offenses by juveniles be handled outside of the court system

Question 14

Thompson v. Oklahoma

Answer 14

Ruled that children could not receive death punishment in 1988

Question 15

Stanford v. Kentucky

Answer 15

Ruled that 16&17 year old could constitutionally be put to death in 1989

Question 16

Roper v. Simmons

Answer 16

In 2005 ruled that no one under 18 could be put to death

Question 17

Social disorganization theory

Answer 17

Social structure theory that links delinquency to urban density, overcrowding, substandard housing, low income, unemployment, poor schools, and family problems

Question 18

Strain theory

Answer 18

Social structure theory that links delinquency to the frustration of not having equal opportunity to achieve commonly shared goals

Question 19

Opportunity-structure theories

Answer 19

Promote job programs for lower-class youths to enhance educational and employment opportunities and reduce delinquency

Question 20

General strain theory

Answer 20

3 sources of strain can cause delinquency. Strain caused by: failure to achieve positively valued goals, removal of positively valued stimuli (gf/bf, death of loved one, moving to new place), presentation of negative stimuli (neglect, stress, failure)

Question 21

Cultural deviance theory

Answer 21

Social structure theory that links delinquency to juveniles adopting the values and attitudes of lower-class communities which differ from law abiding middle-class values

Question 22

Differential association theory

Answer 22

Holds that delinquency is a learned behavior as youth interact closely with other deviant youth

Question 23

Social control theory

Answer 23

Begin with the premise that the way to understand delinquency is to know the characteristics of persons who are non-delinquent

Question 24

Criminological theories

Answer 24

Explain delinquency causation among youth from a variety of backgrounds clearly and simply, in a testable way, that’s based on observations and research data, and is logically consistent

Question 25

Classical theory/rational or choice theory

Answer 25

Explains crime as a rational choice made with free will. Focused on punishment to fit crimes

Question 26

Routine activity theory

Answer 26

Says that crime is related to the interaction of 3 variables associated with the “routine activities” in daily life: availability of suitable targets, absence of capable guardians, presence of motivated offenders

Question 27

Positivist theory

Answer 27

Behavior is determined by factors over which individuals have little or no control

Question 28

Specific deterrence

Answer 28

Discourages offenders from repeating their crimes by threatening to punish them more harshly the next time

Question 29

General deterrence

Answer 29

Punishment is effective only if delivered with: certainty, speed, and severity

Question 30

Parental rejection

Answer 30

Parent-child relationships lacking in warmth, love, affection, and appreciation towards the child

Question 31

Parental attachment

Answer 31

How close a child is with their parent. Those who have positive attachment are less likely to get in trouble. They feel loved and respect their parents and identify with them

Question 32

Parental disengagement

Answer 32

When parents are preoccupied with their own concerns neglect their child, fail to monitor their whereabouts, don’t know their friends, are inconsistent with discipline. This can lead to increased delinquency in the child

Question 33

Battered child syndrome

Answer 33

Non-accidental physical injuries of children by their parent or guardian

Question 34

“Cycle of violence”

Answer 34

“Violence breeds violence” youths that are victimized are more likely to engage in delinquency