Understanding Criminal Behavior Flashcards
According to B. F. Skinner’s behaviorist theories, destructive workplace behavior, such as fraud, can be deterred by rewarding honesty and openness.
A. True
B. False
True
According to the social control theory, an individual considering criminal behavior will likely ask themselves which of the following questions?
A. “In what way can I rationalize this behavior?”
B. “What will my family or friends think if they find out?”
C. “How likely is it that the crime will be detected?”
D. “What is the legal punishment if I get caught?”
B. “What will my family or friends think if they find out?”
The theory of differential association is used frequently to explain white-collar criminality. Which of the following is one of the assertions or principles of differential association?
A. Learning is the same as imitation.
B. Criminal behavior is an expression of an individual’s general needs and values but is not explained by them.
C. People are genetically predisposed to be criminals.
D. Criminal behavior is acquired through participation with large groups in an impersonal setting.
B. Criminal behavior is an expression of an individual’s general needs and values but is not explained by them.
According to the differential reinforcement theory, behavior is strengthened through positive or negative reinforcement and weakened through punishment.
A. True
B. False
True
According to B. F. Skinner, which of the following is the MOST EFFECTIVE way to modify a person’s behavior?
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Ignoring it
C. Punishment
D. None of the above
A. Positive reinforcement
Criminological research has generally concluded that punishing an individual for undesirable behavior will temporarily suppress the behavior if the punishment is applied directly and continuously, but the behavior will likely return once the punishment is discontinued.
A. True
B. False
True
Rational choice theory suggests that crime is a conscious decision that can be deterred by reducing opportunities for criminal activity and increasing personal risk to potential perpetrators.
A. True
B. False
True
Which of the following is TRUE according to the differential reinforcement theory?
A. Behavior is weakened by positive stimuli.
B. Behavior is reinforced by negative stimuli.
C. Behavior is reinforced when rewards are gained.
D. Behavior is weakened when punishment is avoided.
C. Behavior is reinforced when rewards are gained.
A behaviorist view of the workplace advocates the use of incentive programs and task-related bonuses to deter employees from ethical and legal violations.
A. True
B. False
True
Social control theory suggests that the less attached an individual is to social institutions and groups, the greater the chances that the individual violates the law.
A. True
B. False
True
According to the social control theory, the more important that social relationships are to a person, the less likely it is that the person will commit crimes.
A. True
B. False
True
To show appreciation for an employee’s hard work, a manager exempts the individual from several undesirable administrative tasks. This is an example of positive reinforcement.
A. True
B. False
False
According to rational choice theory, which of the following actions can deter crime?
A. Increasing the potential for financial gain
B. Decreasing personal risk to the perpetrator
C. Exerting external pressure and influence
D. Reducing opportunities for criminal activity
D. Reducing opportunities for criminal activity
Which of the following behavioral responses involves withdrawing a positive stimulus or applying a negative stimulus in response to an undesired behavior?
A. Punishment
B. Positive reinforcement
C. Negative reinforcement
D. None of the above
A. Punishment
According to the theory of differential association that is used to explain white-collar criminality, learning criminal behavior involves mechanisms that are different from those used in other types of learning.
A. True
B. False
False
