Chapter 15 Self-test questions - The Oxford Textbook on Criminology 2e Student Resources

. Which of the following statements best describes a theory?

An explanation of things outside of our experiences

A description of an act or behaviour

An argument about causation

An idea without evidence

. Which of the following are key steps involved in forming a theory? (Select all that apply.)

Observation

Dissemination

Identification

Conclusions

. 'We can assess the usefulness of a theory and its strengths and weaknesses by applying nine key tests.' True or false?

True

False

. 'Empirical validity' assesses…

Whether the theory is capable of being tested

The extent to which a theory is supported by research evidence

The accuracy with which a theory can predict new phenomena

Whether the theory is clear and makes sense

. What is a 'grand theory'?

A theory that explains problems at the individual level

An explanation to a problem which is applicable in most situations

The most common and widely used type of theory

A theory based on empirical data which describes what is happening

. 'Criminological theory is helpful for identifying and understanding problems but it cannot suggest ways of addressing them.' True or false?

True

False

. What key claim does interpretivist criminology make?

Complex social and human interactions can never be fully measured

People are rational and choose to offend in order to gain something

Criminological behaviour is determined by social/psychological and biological issues

Criminology should focus on the effect of power in a society

. Which group of theorists study how authority is constructed?

Positivists

Interpretivists

Critical theorists

Classical theorists

. 'Positivist theorists seek to explain criminality through an analysis of ___________.' What is the missing phrase?

personal experiences and feelings

the ways in which people interact with the natural world

measurements of factual information about the social world

crimes themselves, rather than offenders or society

. When is classical criminology believed to have emerged?

12^th century

15^th century

18^th century

19^th century

. Who wrote the famous monograph 'On Crimes and Punishments' in 1764?

John Locke

Jeremy Bentham

Cesare Beccaria

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

. For classical criminologists, crime is solved through…

The arbitrary use of power, harsh punishment, and control

An effective and efficient use of a just and fair process, culminating in punishing the offender only as much as is necessary to pay for their crime

Ensuring that the intentions of the offender are central to decisions regarding guilt and punishment

Dispensing justice slowly, so that there is a large gap between the crime and the punishment

. Which two theorists are most commonly associated with 'rational choice theory'?

Cornish and Clarke

Bentham and Beccaria

Rawls and Goring

Cohen and Felson

. What are 'involvement decisions'?

Decisions about whether to engage in crime as opposed to other types of activity

Decisions about whether to commit a specific crime

Decisions about exactly what action to take in order to commit a crime

Decisions about whether to involve others in a crime you intend to commit

. Which crime theory did Cohen and Felson suggest?

Rationale choice theory

Convict criminology

Utilitarianism

Routine activity theory

. Situational crime prevention suggests that we should…

Make crime targets more secure

Remove offenders' reasons for wanting to commit crime

Make punishments harsher so that they are more of a deterrent

Improve public awareness of the criminal law and criminal justice

. Which of the following are among Coleman's suggestions for better design to reduce crime? (Select all that apply.)

Fewer anonymous spaces

Increasing surveillance by letting people overlook each other

Removal of easy ways to escape without being seen

Building more subways